Bathroom Remodeling In Charleston, SC

The Reliable Choice For Bathroom Renovations In Charleston, South Carolina

Your bathroom should empower you to smoothly and conveniently get ready for your day, and it should be a peaceful, uncluttered place to let your cares melt away, spa style, in the evening. To create this ideal space, working with the best bathroom remodeling contractor in Charleston, SC is essential from the beginning. The team at Renew Urban have mastered top-notch, custom bathroom remodeling for over two decades. As one of the highest rated remodeling contractors in Charleston, we know how to  wow our clients!

Some of our work has even been featured on This Old House. If you’re ready to discuss your Charleston bathroom remodeling project, let’s talk. In the meantime, read on to get answers to some of the most common questions homeowners ask us about the essentials of bathroom design.

Bathroom Renovation and Design Planning is Key

The planning phase of your bathroom remodeling project is essential to creating your dream bathroom while avoiding costly mistakes. The first step is to inventory what works and what doesn’t in your current bathroom floor plan. This is especially true if you have a smaller bathroom. Assess how you currently travel through the bathroom, day and night, to discover areas that are inconvenient, too dark, too damp, or not well-ventilated. Are there hard-to-clean spots? Are essentials difficult to reach? Is there enough storage space? Focus on functionality and ease of use first, then work on materials and style considerations. This ensures that you will develop a delightful bathroom design you can love for years—and it can boost resale value, too.

Our local team has many years of bathroom remodeling experience. During that time we have encountered many of the most common remodeling issues as well as some not so common situations. Working with a proven contractor will ensure your bathroom renovation project will be successful. No two remodeling projects are exactly the same, but lets look at some of the basic bathroom renovation choices you will be faced with.

Common Charleston, SC Bathroom Remodeling Questions:

What is the Best Bathroom Flooring?

The sheer number of bathroom flooring options can be overwhelming, so be sure to discuss what you’re looking for with your bathroom contractor so you can choose wisely. Bathroom flooring needs to be sturdy, easy to clean and moisture resistant—and it needs to look fantastic. Some great choices include:

  • Natural stone tiles—Classic and extremely durable, these are a great choice for Charleston style bathroom remodeling! Keep in mind, they do need some maintenance and resealing from time to time to keep them looking their best.
  • Ceramic tiles—They come in a huge variety of colors and patterns, often mimicking natural stone. They are much easier to clean and maintain, however. Textured varieties also provide a little more traction to prevent slipping.
  • Vinyl—If you choose the higher-end, waterproof, vinyl plank flooring, it is extremely durable and easy to clean. Vinyl also comes in a wide array of patterns and textures that look like real stone or even hardwood without the maintenance and water issues.
  • Porcelain tiles—A super option for bathrooms with a huge array of patterns and mosaic design possibilities. They are dense and water tight if correctly installed, and can work well with under-floor heating systems.
  • Cork—Warm, soft, low-maintenance cork flooring is an environmentally-friendly option that is also mold, mildew and water resistant—but not waterproof. Cork flooring will need several coats of polyurethane.

Be sure to discuss your flooring choices and patterns with the Renew Urban team so you can get the bathroom floor that will work best for your needs and bathroom design.

Do I Need a Shower and a Tub?

Many homeowners consider ditching the tub for a luxury shower, especially if space is an issue, but we like to urge caution. Understand that any potential homebuyers down the road may want a tub, and won’t want to pay for a bathroom without one. Functionality always comes before trendiness—and with the right Charleston bathroom remodeling contractor on your side, you can get the benefits of both.

How Should I Choose Bathroom Fixtures?

Faucets are a bathroom centerpiece, so take some time choosing the right ones for your design. Function and form should meld seamlessly. Depending on how extensive your bathroom remodeling project is, you may want to stick with the same “functional type” of plumbing for your faucets, even as you choose fresh, new designs. Here’s what you need to know:

  • Widespread (or spread-fit) faucets—The two handles and spout are three separate elements, spaced apart from each other.
  • Center-set faucet—The two handles and spout come in one single piece.
  • Single-hole faucet—One water handle, one spout, all in one unit.
  • Wall-mounted faucet—Faucet and handles come out of the wall. Although this is trendy now, remember that it tends to splash more the higher the spout is from the sink. However, they can work beautifully with centerpiece vessel sink designs.

5 Bathroom Remodeling Elements To Never Skimp On In Your Charleston Home

Working with your Charleston bathroom remodeling contractor, you will be able to find a number of ways to get excellent results that stay within your budget. Renew Urban can help you find good deals on top materials and stylish touches that can save money. There are some things, however, where the extra spend is worth it for preventing leaks, water damage, mold and mildew, and other frustrating and expensive problems.

1. Bathroom Ventilation

Good ventilation prevents excess moisture buildup that can cause mold and mildew. Even if you are lucky enough to have a bathroom with windows, take the time and spend the money to update duct work, install quiet, efficient fans, and ensure the ventilation system properly exits your home and doesn’t end up in the attic where moisture can fester.

2. Bathroom Plumbing

To make sure your Charleston bathroom remodeling project lasts the test of time, you need to make sure the plumbing is up-to-date and solid. Nobody will see it, and you should never have to think about it because it works perfectly, doesn’t leak and takes care of business flawlessly.

3. Bathroom Storage

“How can I create more bathroom storage space?” is a popular question, especially for smaller bathrooms where every inch counts. Working together with the Renew Urban team, we can create storage space in creative and elegant ways that cut clutter and keep everything organized. Consider hanging shelves, vertical storage, peg rails, extra towel rods, in-wall cabinets, recessed shelving, etc. Maximizing bathroom storage space will also prove an asset in resale value later on.

4. Bathroom Waterproofing

Any bathroom design element that protects your remodeling investment from mold and water damage is worth the effort and expense. For example, it’s important to add a strong waterproofing membrane behind any tiled areas like the shower, the floor around the toilet, vanity or bathtub, etc. Also, on painted walls, don’t try to cut corners by using an all-in-one paint and primer mixture.

These often succumb to moisture, a real disaster when you’re painting the wettest room in your home. It’s important to choose a strong primer with drywall hardening properties and to cover that with a moisture-resistant paint layer afterward. In addition, you’ll want to choose the premium mold and moisture-resistant silicone sealants and grout, which are also easier to clean than the cheaper varieties.

5. Bathroom Lighting

It’s also important to get the lighting design right if you want to do your Charleston style bathroom remodel the right way. You will need to have enough ambient lighting that throws a broad, general illumination around the bathroom and reduces shadows. You’ll also want accent lighting to cast a special glow on a beautiful design feature.

Shadow-free, glare-free, focused task lighting is an absolute must at the vanity so you can clearly see to apply makeup or shave. If you have windows, make sure nothing blocks their natural light, and consider adding dimmers and low-light options for your spa nights and overnight trips to the bathroom where you don’t want to wake yourself up too much.

Consult the Charleston Bathroom Remodeling Experts

Getting the custom spa bathroom of your dreams is within reach if you work with the custom bathroom remodeling experts at Renew Urban in Charleston, SC. With more than 20 years of experience working on the finest homes in the area, we turn remodeling projects into works of art that our clients can enjoy for years to come. Contact us today to discuss your bathroom design ideas. Let us help you add a Charleston flair.