Before you jump feet first into your oversize, whirlpool jet, air system, soaking tub, here are some things you need to consider when building a home spa.
- Luxury will cost you. According to the 2001 Design Trends Survey conducted by the National Kitchen and Bath Association, the average price of a typical bathroom remodeling costs $14,500. But upgrade to a home spa, and designers say you're looking at $20,000 minimum and $100,000 isn't unheard of. Fixtures, such as tubs and showerheads, will cost about the same for everyone. Types and amount of surface materials and artistic extras usually make up the difference.
- Get expert help. When tackling a bathroom project, hire a bathroom designer. You can go to a bathroom store and work with an in-house designer, or hire a certified bath designer. Certification is a seven-year-process that requires field experience and a knowledge of aesthetics, local code compliance, safety issues, mechanicals, and materials.
Whoever you go with, ask for references, and check for complaints with the Better Business Bureau. Rhonda Knoche, of Neil Kelly Designers-Remodelers, advises that the first meeting is to make sure you're compatible with the designer. You'll need to feel comfortable talking to this person about your lifestyle habits, such as showering together and toilet privacy.
- Size doesn't matter. There are no minimum square footage requirements for a home spa, and designers say even small spaces can make luxurious bathrooms. A small shower stall can still have all the showerhead bells and whistles, and a narrow-but-high soaking tub takes up little space. Just make sure that other items are in scale with the room.
- Floor support. Heavy surface materials, such as slate and granite, as well as 90-gallon tubs, will likely require more support in the floors, particularly in a second-floor bathroom. An architect or engineer, hired through the contractor, will take care of this.
- Steam considerations. For a steam shower, you need to attend to a few extra details. The shower stall needs to be completely enclosed, with a shower door that goes from floor to ceiling. The ceiling should be slightly sloped so water doesn't bead there. And you need to have an adequate fan and ventilation system to accommodate your steam unit's output and your bathroom's square footage.
- Bring on the water. Oversize tubs and high-volume showerheads need a larger-than-usual water heater or an additional water heater just for the home spa. Standard pipe diameter is 1/2 inch, but multiple shower outlets will perform better with 3/4-inch-diameter pipes.
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