When it is time for bathtub refinishing or tiling, the problem is not the lack of ideas—it is choosing the one that looks best in your bathroom! Restoration work and bathtub refinishing in Glendale, AZ helps your bathroom look better, and it is also a good time to add new embellishment. You can add a few tile features or go for a completely new look. Take advantage of this opportunity with these new trends and ideas:
The Mediterranean look: Old World style is making a big comeback with its elegance and simplicity. Offer a nod to ancient cultures with these designs inspired by the décor customs of Spain, Morocco and Portugal. You can also choose unique shapes that interlock neatly. Metallic surfaces are popular, as well as painted terra cotta designs. This is a classic look that is unlikely to go out of style and will maintain the value of your home.
Mosaics: This is a favorite among people who like to do their own design or who have an artistic streak. Use tiles of different shapes to create simple pictures, like repeating stars or flowers. You can do this on an entire bath or shower wall, or just add them in as accent pieces. If you see many shapes before you, let your imagination go wild. You will create a bathroom look that is uniquely you and unlikely to have a duplicate anywhere else.
Classic white: Perhaps you are renovating a rental property or you believe less is more. The classic white subway tile look never goes out of fashion, and that is due to its flexibility. You can highlight your bathroom in different ways with a different colored floor, or add mosaic accents throughout the white. Going classic allows you endless decorating possibilities.
Three-dimensional tile: Are you feeling up to adding a new texture? Raised surfaces and monochromatic appearances give these tiles a simple yet elegant look. It creates an inviting space while also giving a nod to the funky days of the 1970s, when three-dimensional tile was last popular. There are many interesting patterns available in circles, symmetrical patterns and classic looks. It is very likely that one of these approaches will appeal to you if you are looking for something different, but do not want to put in the effort required by the mosaic.
Accessibility: As the population ages, ways of making bathrooms safer are developing quickly. Tile is not excluded in this realm. Textured tile can make it harder to slip in the bathtub, and tiles made to work around hand railings can combine aesthetics with function. While resurfacing, you can even take the opportunity to install a tile shower bench or lower the rails to help you age in place better at home. Making things a little easier does not mean sacrificing beauty.
When it is time for new tile or bathtub refinishing in Glendale, AZ, call A-1 Porcelain & Fiberglass Service LLC to start work on your home. We can fix cracks and blemishes or give your bathroom a whole new look!
Arizona’s hot, dry climate must be taken into account when choosing building materials during new home construction and remodeling projects. This includes bath tub materials, which need to be able to withstand the wear and tear associated with everyday use as well as environmental conditions.
For many homeowners, ceramic and porcelain tiles are among the most attractive options for bath tubs in Glendale, AZ, as they offer an array of benefits as well as considerable diversity of choice. Let’s take a closer look.
Recognizing the general benefits of tile
Even before you start thinking about the different varieties of ceramic and porcelain tiles on the market, it’s useful to get acquainted with some of the reasons why these materials can be so attractive, particularly in Arizona.
One of the nice advantages of using tile for bath tubs in Glendale, AZ is that tile is naturally durable as well as water resistant—in other words, it’s perfect for using in situations when you don’t want to deal with repair and replacement needs and when frequent, sustained water exposure is going to happen.
Another benefit of tile is that it stays naturally cool, which can provide welcome relief when temperatures rise into the triple digits. But even better is the fact that this cooling effect can even have an impact on your utility costs. Because tiles don’t retain heat, they don’t contribute to the strain put on your air conditioning system even on the hottest days.
Finally, there’s the ever-important matter of cleaning and maintenance. Tile is relatively impervious to the effects of sand and dirt, as it is exceedingly simple to clean, regardless of the material from which it’s made. For those with little time or energy for frequent bouts of intense cleaning, this can be a major advantage of going with tile.
Ceramic vs. porcelain
When it comes to bath tub tiles, ceramic and porcelain are unquestionably the leading options, and with good reason: they’re both outstanding materials. In fact, the differences between the two are far less notable than their similarities. Porcelain tiles tend to be smoother and denser, and thus less absorptive, than ceramic tiles. But it’s also possible to purchase ceramic tiles that have been glazed, which reduces these differences even further. What this means is that if, you’re considering bath tub tiles, there’s no good reason to automatically eliminate either ceramic or porcelain from your list of possibilities.
Ultimately, it’s important to recognize that, when it comes to tile materials for bath tubs in Glendale, AZ, you can’t really go wrong with either ceramic or porcelain. Both options offer durability and require little maintenance, and both come in a variety of colors and styles that will work with just about any overall bathroom aesthetic.
The team at A-1 Porcelain & Fiberglass Service L.L.C. has been working with Arizona homeowners for more than four decades to give them the bathroom repair and remodeling services they need. If you’re building a custom home or considering a bathroom remodel and want to know more about bath tub tile options, we hope you’ll give us a call!
If you’ve ever found yourself asking, “mirror, mirror on the wall, who’s the fairest of them all?” and haven’t heard a response, you may have a fogged up mirror. Fogginess after a hot shower is normal, but your mirror shouldn’t have constant foggy or cloudy appearance.
Not being able to see yourself clearly in the mirror to get ready in the morning can be very annoying. If your mirror is too foggy or cloudy it may require vanity refinishing in Glendale, AZ.
Why is it fogged?
Mirrors lose their brilliance over time for a variety of reasons. First of all, they get cloudy from not being properly wiped down after getting fogged up by condensation from showers. Mirrors also tend to take a beating from toothpaste and shaving cream splatter. If not cleaned with a window or mirror cleaning product regularly, that residue builds up and can eventually make the mirror cloudy and unusable. Also, if you happen to own an old mirror with a silver backing, cloudiness is just a natural part of the aging process.
Homespun remedies
If your mirrors get foggy either from lack of proper care, or if they’re just old, don’t fret! You’re clearly not the first person to encounter this problem. Homemakers across the world have aggregated a variety of ways to cure your mirror’s fogginess without using harsh chemicals, just regular items that you probably already have at home.
Shaving cream: Putting some shaving cream on a lint-free towel and buffing the mirror is said to cure mirror fog. It’s important to use regular shaving cream, not the newer gel-style creams. If buffing the mirror doesn’t work on the first attempt, apply more shaving cream to the towel and try again. After a few rounds of buffing, the mirror should be spot free and stay that way for quite a while.
Vinegar and newspaper: This one may sound counterintuitive, as the ink from the newspaper seems like it’d rub off onto the mirror and make the situation worse, right? Apparently not. Homemakers swear that if you spray white vinegar on the mirror and rub it off with an old newspaper, your mirror will be cloudless and streak-free. Be careful to keep the vinegar off the frame, as it could do more harm than good and actually call for serious vanity refinishing in Glendale, AZ.
Paint scraper: Obviously, you must be careful as to not scratch or break the glass with this technique. But, if your mirror fogginess is really bad and hard, paint-like residue, you may be able to actually scrape it off using a flat knife blade. You can pick one of these tools up at any local hardware store.
While there’s no guarantee that your mirror will say you’re the fairest of them all, it’s sure to give you an answer after using one of these remedies. If none of the above work, consider hiring us for vanity refinishing in Glendale, AZ. We’ll professionally refinish your vanity and ensure your mirror lets you know you’re the fairest of them all.
Bathtubs are (probably) the most used amenity in our homes. Since they’re used so often, they get dirty pretty quick. Dirty tubs are germ infested, look terrible and can start to smell gross after a while.
In addition to those short term consequences, a dirty bathtub can lower the value of your home if you’re trying to sell. There’s not one single factor that contributes to a dirty tub. Many small things people do (or neglect to do) lead to dirty bath tubs in Glendale, AZ. In order to keep a clean tub that’s sure to impress guests, pay attention to the following tub pitfalls.
Soap scum and shampoo buildup
The hard surface that builds up over a while around your tub in a natural reaction to water and the ingredients in soap and shampoo. After prolonged tub use, this buildup hardens and becomes increasingly hard to clean.
Mold and mildew
Mold and mildew are bound to grow in any damp area. A tub that’s constantly in use is a hotbed for mold and mildew growth. Not only are mold and mildew gross, breathing mold can be harmful to your health in the long run.
Dead skin and other body debris
We obviously take showers and/or baths to wash away the dirt and grease that we accumulate on our bodies throughout the day. The dirt, grease, hair and dead skin that doesn’t go down the drain all gets stuck in the tub. Over time all of that accumulates and causes a real big mess.
Hard water stains
Many parts of the country have water with a high mineral content, or hard water. If you happen to live in a part of the country that has hard water, over time those hard water deposits will stain the base of the tub.
Unless properly cleaned, hard water can also rust the drain cover making an unsightly red mess.
Pet cleaning
Cleaning your animals, especially dogs after they’ve been playing in the mud, is a must. However, getting them into your bathtub to get clean is always a challenge and can be equally hard on the wellbeing of your tub. Your pets’ claws will scratch the tub further damaging the tub’s protective coating.
Cleaning chemicals
Hardcore cleaning products will definitely clean up the afore mentioned problems that bathtubs often run into. However, if used in excess, these chemicals can end up damaging bath tubs in Glendale, AZ in the long run. Chemicals like bleach will slowly erode the protective coating on your tub. If this occurs, you’ll need to have your tub either repaired or completely replaced.
What can I do to fix it?
One great way to combat the build-up of all of the aforementioned is to clean your tub after each use. Bathroom cleaning experts recommend taking a few minutes after each shower or bath to wipe the tub down with a sponge or other cleaning device. If the situation gets out of hand call us at 602-531-4453 to find out how we can refinish your tub or any other amenity that is full of dirt and grime!
There’s a reason that bathrooms around America have tile flooring: thanks to its superior resilience, inherently hydrophobic properties and beautiful appeal, it’s a prime candidate for bathrooms! But, just because it boasts some of the best features around that make it ideal for the bathroom environment doesn’t mean tiling is infallible.
Anyone who has ever cleaned the tiling in their bathroom has seen what can happen to tile in just a few months’ time. Grout changes color, scuffs and abrasions appear on the tile surface, and small patches of mildew can take root with ease. Sure, new tile may look great, but what about tile that has been put through its paces?
If you’re starting to wonder about tile’s ability to remain a top bathroom option, don’t worry: there’s an easy way to protect and preserve your bathroom tiling in Glendale. We’re talking of course, about sealing it.
Sealing your tile is simply the act of coating it with an epoxy that dries on top of the tile and grout, leaving behind an invisible barrier against all of the detractors of the bathroom environment that might seek to lower its appeal. Take a look at five of the ways sealing your tile is going to ensure it lives up to your fullest expectations:
Sick of scrubbing scale buildups and hard water spots out of your tile? Sealed tile won’t hold these blemishes as well and when they do appear, they’re easily scrubbed off without you having to get down on your hands and knees to work them out!
Has your white grout become grey and black, leaving a behind a lackluster appeal? Have it professionally cleaned then sealed and you won’t have to worry about the color fading away again. Sealant preserves grout by blocking its natural pores against debris that might cause it to change color.
Sealed tile and grout is going to resist water to a tremendous degree, which in turn protects your subflooring and vapor barrier. What this means over the long term is a lack of shifting, sinking or moving tiles that can occur when warping happens below the tiling.
If you have stone tile (not ceramic or porcelain), it’s an absolute must that you invest in sealant. Sealing stone tile means preserving its integrity over the long term and preventing water from eroding it in time.
As mentioned above, grout is naturally porous, which means easy rooting for mildew and other natural growths that occur in humid and moisture-rich environments (like your bathroom). Sealing the grout and tile closes up these pores, making it a no-fly zone for organic growth.
Having tile in your bathroom is absolutely a smart choice for materials, but it’s one that’s not infallible. Make sure you’re giving your bathroom tile in Glendale the support it needs to stand strong and stay looking great for years to come with proper sealing.
