* Bathtub is old and shows years of use and wear
* Bathtub does not match rest of décor in the bathroom
* Bathtub is in a home purchased by a new resident

More often than not, refinishing a bathtub is not a do-it-yourself type of project unless the person doing it himself or herself is a licensed contractor with experience in refinishing bathtubs. This is not a do-it-yourself job because there is so much involved in the process that includes the following items:

* High-volume, low-pressure spray gun
* Respirator or face mask
* Palm sander and sandpaper
* Masking tape
* Paper
* Epoxy paint or primer
* EP-acrylic top coat
* Chemical cleaners
* Bonding agent for porcelain and tile

If you plan on refinishing your bathtub, you should clean the entire tub prior to beginning the job so that you get the most out of the project. Clean the area of the tub you are going to refinish with the chemical cleaners you have purchased. Once you are finished cleaning dry off the area thoroughly so you can begin to sand the tub. Once the sanding is complete, you can add the chemical adhesive, especially if you are working with a porcelain or tile tub. The final step is to paint the bathtub.

The Pros of Remodeling the Bathroom of an Investment House:

Give it the WOW factor! The Wow factor is probably the major reason you would renovate the bathroom. There are three rooms that you want to be impressive; and the bathroom is arguably number one. Mr. and Ms. Buyer will often make their decision based on the condition of the bathroom.

Whether you choose to remodel the whole thing or just replace certain components should be based partly on the critical need of the bathroom in the buy-decision. Done properly a bathroom renovation could well be the deciding factor between getting your price and not selling your house.

An ugly, poorly maintained bathroom will have the potential buyers lowering their pricing expectations disproportionate to the amount it would cost to renovate it. A buyer purchasing a renovated house has expectations that certain things are in good shape that’s why they’re buying a house that’s already been renovated.

Whether its a face lift or a total gut, that one room can make or break the deal.

If you’re working with a very limited budget you can decide which particular parts of your bathroom that you would like remodeled, such as the tub or the toilet or the sink.

If money is not an issue, you may make the decision to remodel your whole bathroom. In addition to deciding what parts of your bathroom you would like remodeled, you will also have complete control over the products and materials used.

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The fact is that a drab, dull bathroom can make you feel like you’re dragging your morning along. It’s not the place you want to see right before you hit the sack. It’s the place we run to when we want to hide; it should be the perfect place to spend time!

Bathroom remodeling doesn’t have to be a major undertaking. A few simple touches can turn your boring room into a potty paradise. You’ll want to lock yourself in and never come out. Here are some great remodeling ideas.

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One of the biggest wastes in a bathroom is water. Select fixtures that help minimize water use. A dual-flush toilet saves water usage by having one flush for water waste and another flush for solid waste. It takes less water to flush down liquid waste than it does for solids. Use faucets and shower heads that conserve water as well. Replace your old faucet with a faucet that has a self-closing tap that shuts off the water when you release the button. This conserves water while you are shaving or brushing your teeth, as well as prevents leaks. Use a low-flow shower head in your shower. It drastically cuts back on the amount of water per minute used compared to an ordinary shower head. To save even more water use an air shower device. It is attached to your existing shower head and can save water usage by an additional 30%. It pumps each water droplet full of air, which makes each water droplet bigger yet still feels just as strong and wet as typical water spray from a regular shower head.

Consider a tank-less or a solar water heater. They may be a bit more expensive to install initially, but in the long run they save you a bundle on utility bills, as well as conserve power and water.

Use energy-efficient lighting in your bathroom. Fluorescent lighting uses a lot less energy than incandescent lighting. You can soften or brighten the light by using dimmer switches, adjusting the level of brightness for your comport level.

When choosing tiles for you bathroom make-over, envision recycled ceramic, glass, or porcelain tiles for your walls, counter tops, and flooring. They come in a wide array of styles and colors, and you have the satisfaction of knowing that you will be helping the environment and saving energy. Every glass bottle that is recycled actually saves enough energy to operate a 100-watt light bulb for approximately four hours.

Going green in your bathroom gratifies your conscience, saves money and the environment, and offers a splendid re-sale advantage to boot.

The interesting thing about modern bathrooms is that no two are alike. Because of the varying sub-styles under the “modern” umbrella, you can take pieces from one style and mix it with another and never clash. Urban, Asian, Zen and futuristic are all inspired by a basic theme – they must be highly functional and efficient with a sleek minimalistic design. That usually includes cutting-edge fixtures and components. The layout, design and elements that go into a modern bathroom will vary by lifestyle, home décor, needs and personal taste. So what does it take to create a modern bathroom?

There are basic aspects of a successful modern bathroom remodel. Once you understand these key elements, you can shape and mold your bathroom to suit your lifestyle. Let’s get started.

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Size Matters: The size of your bathroom matters when it comes to choosing a paint color. Most interior decorators will advise you to choose colors that make your space appear larger, for this is what many want. However, if your bathroom is large (lucky you!), you may want to make it appear smaller and/or more intimate.

So use this rule of thumb: Lighter colors make a space appear larger, while darker colors shrink a space.

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Below is a guide to the some of the most trendy bathroom counter materials:

Artisan Tile
Custom designed tile mosaics are ultra chic. Using top-quality glazed artisanal tile on the backsplash areas of sinks and counters is a way to add a pop of color into a kitchen and make it truly unique.

Granite
Durable, attractive, and long-lasting, this material is as trendy as ever. However, there have been recent reports (like this one from the New York Times) that says some of the granites used in may countertops emits elevated levels of radon, an odorless gas linked to lung cancer, though the industry maintains their product is safe.

Soapstone
Soapstone is a non-porous material, which makes it resistant to bacterial growth, requires no sealing, and is durable enough for you to place hot hair tools directly on its surface. And rumor has it that Martha Stewart has soapstone counters in her own home.

Stainless-steel
This material is becoming popular in modern bathrooms as it is very easy to keep clean and will not be marred. It lends itself to a modern aesthetic and looks very sleek and industrial. However, the surface is easily dented.

Concrete
Concrete sounds harsh and industrial, but it won’t look like the sidewalks you tread on. It’s easy to customize in terms of color and doesn’t pose the radon threat that granite does while still being just as durable and heat resistant.

Green
Eco-friendly materials are gaining steam: recycled glass, end-grain bamboo and reclaimed woods like recycled old-growth lumber are trendy in eco-conscious and green remodels.

Dark cabinetry with white or silver hardware is the favorite for bathroom remodels in Dallas. Many people are choosing large, dark colored, clay tiles that you typically see in spas and these dark colors help make the base for the rooms color scheme, while helping to expand the size of the bathroom with a dark floor and light colored walls.

Those that choose a light colored floor almost always go with dark walls, and a white ceiling to help balance out the color scheme. While refinishing cabinetry is the low cost solution, most designers are replacing existing cabinets with stand alone cabinets with minimal drawers, and more cabinet style doors like in the kitchen. This look cuts down on the look of hardware overtaking the cabinet.

Concrete counter tops are also gaining popularity in Dallas because they only thing hindering your dream look is the amount of money you are willing to spend. Matte finished counter tops go well with clay floor tiles, and are easy to keep clean, and stream line the look of your bathroom.

White is the choose for tubs, sink, commodes, and showers because it gives the appearance of a spa setting, while also being the most functional color to work with in a bathroom environment. Simple is always better, but a trend that is gaining popularity in bathroom remodels in Dallas are half flush and full flush toilets. Not only are they eco friendly, but these new styles can save you money.

You can also save money in the shower by switching to a high quality low flow shower head. The new models are far nicer then their predecessors, and in most cases you wont even notice you are using less water then before. Finishing your bathroom remodel with an etched glass shower door can add instant art to your bathroom. The most popular is the frosted look with heavy frost on the bottom that lights toward the top.