Bathroom flooring
The most inexpensive flooring is linoleum. Seamless flooring, moisture-resistant properties, attractive price – a good option for bathroom floors. The material has changed beyond recognition. Manufacturers are fighting for their place on the market, releasing more and more colours: “like a tile”, “like a stone”, “like a parquet”, “like a tree”. It is possible to lay the floor with this material without the need for outside labour.
Vinyl tiles are chemically and mechanically resistant, waterproof, hygienic and flexible. The material is warm, so an underfloor heating system is not necessary. Seamless installation is another plus for bathroom flooring. It is not the cheapest material, but it can be installed by yourself.
Ceramic tiles for bathroom flooring are the most suitable material, especially if no new renovation is planned for the next 10 years. The flooring is durable, hard-wearing and moisture-resistant. It is so beautiful, aesthetic and diverse that it will help bring any design idea to life. But the cost of the material is high, and laying requires skill. Not everyone will dare to do the work themselves.
Bathroom ceiling
The most famous and popular options for repairing the ceiling are painting and whitewashing. Economical, practical, reliable. In case of an accident with the neighbours from above, the traces of the leak can be easily cleaned up. Preparation of the ceiling, as well as painting and varnishing materials – work that can do itself.
Decorating with paint allows you to use some tricks to adjust the space:
If the ceiling is painted the same colour as the walls, but a tone or two lighter, the room will appear larger.
If the skirting boards are the same colour as the walls, the walls will appear higher. By reversing this, the ceiling can be lowered.
The colour of white paint can easily be changed using a tint. Tinting can be done yourself by purchasing the right colour pigment. But it is safer to overpay a little and buy the shade you want, using special software and a tinting machine. In this way you will get a uniform shade, and in case of need you will be able to buy more paint of exactly the same colour.
Some people prefer to line their ceilings with plasterboard. In the bathroom, use moisture-resistant gypsum board GKLV. The surface is then puttyed and painted.
For the ceiling, adhesive extruded polystyrene panels are often used. Especially if a major bathroom renovations is not part of the plan. The panels are easily fixed with plastic ceiling adhesive. They have an attractive appearance. Hides irregularities in the ceiling and eliminates the need for levelling.
Seamless 3d tiles have a modern look. Tiles are durable, moisture-resistant, lightweight and thin. Large selection of textures and shapes. Easy to do the work yourself.
Suspended ceiling of PVC panels looks nice, and the cost is inexpensive. It is easy to install. The result is an even, smooth surface without gaps between the joints. The use of the panels saves time in preparing the surface, as the ceiling does not require leveling and masks surface imperfections. They are mounted on a frame of aluminium profiles. PVC panels are smooth and do not absorb dirt, so they are easy to care for.
Stretch ceilings offer a good deal of variety. From the simplest one level ceiling in white, to the most exclusive custom-made photo-printed ceilings. The advantages of stretch ceilings are many:
– complete installation within one working day;
– the surface of the ceiling does not need to be levelled, and the sound and thermal insulation is hidden behind the ceiling;
– one-piece seamless fabric;
– durable, moisture-proof and hygienic.
Not the most cost-effective option, as installation will require the services of a craftsman, so that the coating is not spoiled during installation and lighting is connected. The coating limits the choice of lighting fixtures, LED or halogen lamps are suitable for it. But the expense is worth it in the future. With proper installation and careful use, the stretch ceilings will last for 25 years. During this time, you won’t have to maintain or renovate them.
Bathroom lighting
Light can be used to divide a room into zones.
Effectively separate the wash table and mirror, where bright light is required, from the bathroom area with local, dimmed lighting.
Use materials that reflect light, such as stainless steel elements, bright glossy surfaces and mirrors. This optical phenomenon will make the room look more spacious.
Lights installed traditionally at eye level on either side of the mirror evenly illuminate the dressing table, but not the reflection in the mirror. If the aim is to create a ‘true mirror’, then install lighting close to the natural daylight in which those around you in the street can see you. This requires an overhead light above the mirror from an LED lamp with a neutral white shade, but by no means a fluorescent bulb. Consider all lighting points and outlets at the design stage. It’s not difficult to make a hole in the wall for concealed wiring, but it’s a good idea to have the electrical work done by a specialist.
