<![CDATA[Blog]]> http://www.surfacesusa.com/blog/ Wed, 23 May 2012 14:34:12 +0000 Zend_Feed http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss <![CDATA[Refreshing and invigorating outdoor showers]]> http://www.surfacesusa.com/blog/outdoor_shower/

One of the most common ways we take our first outdoor shower is at the beach. Do you remember how refreshing it felt?

We go home from the beach feeling refreshed and invigorated. What you may not realize is that you feel rejuvenated because you are interacting with nature. That's why one of the best ways to rejuvenate our spirit is to go into nature. Water happens to be one of natures most healing properties.

We don’t all live close to the beach. And you don't have to be shivering in a sandy swimsuit to appreciate an open-air shower. Even landlocked homeowners—stressed-out townies, gritty green thumbs, suburban soccer dads—are discovering that bathing outdoors is not just practical, it's downright luxurious. We can still optimize the space that we do have. Installing an outdoor shower is one way to optimize your living space.

Outdoor showers also accent pool areas or backyards, providing a convenient place to clean off and a yard feature that is artistic and functional. A shower outdoors is one of those things that seems odd at first, but when people see them at someone else’s place, they end up wanting them for their own backyard.

Picture above: Showers can be designed to blend in with your surroundings.  This was a great way to use a retaining wall that would have no use otherwise.

Materials used: Walls- Lotus multicolor slate 12x12

Shower pan- river rocks.

 

 

Picture above:  This outdoor shower layout is more complicated with a vanity, a changing room area and a door.

Materials used: walls- Crema Marfil Honed 8”x8”

Shower pan- natural river rocks.

 

 

Picture above: This shower was designed

To be an accent on the wall adding décor to the

exterior of the house.

 

Materials used: Walls- Mexican had painted tiles,

decos and moldings.

 

 

Picture above: This shower was designed to be natural, serene

and to blend in with the exterior surroundings. 

 

Materials used: Walls- Interlocking stacked stone on mesh.

 

 

Picture above: This zen like design shower is like an art piece in the middle of the garden.

 

Materials used: 5/8”x 2 glass tile.

 

 

Consult with with our knowleadgable sales staff today and we will help design the outdoor shower that’s perfect for you.

 

 



]]> Fri, 07 Jan 2011 00:00:00 +0000 <![CDATA[Selecting a Glass Shower Door]]> http://www.surfacesusa.com/blog/Shower-Glass-Door/   Many people are apprehensive about installing glass in their bathroom.  Everyone has dropped a glass or bottle at some point in their lives and watched it shatter on the floor.  Wouldn't it stand to reason that a glass shower door would be prone to the same kind of breakage?  Glass doors, especially the frameless variety, can be up to ½ inch thick.  At this thickness, glass will very rarely break, and certainly not if you or your child accidentally slips and falls into it.  If you are still concerned about the durability of your glass shower door, you can always opt for the framed variety.  This encases the edges of the door in a metal frame that can add stability.  However, glass is strongest along its edge and so the lack of a frame doesn't translate to a lack of safety.

When looking at the different types of glass shower doors, keep in mind that they come in more than one style. Glass doors can be framed, frameless, clear, opaque, colored, etched, and completely custom if desired. With so many choices to choose from, picking the right door can become a difficult decision. Ask one of our sales staff and we will be glad to refer you to a local glass door contractor who can help you with your choices.

Frameless glass shower doors are a great choice if you are thinking about replacing your old shower enclosures. Not only are frameless glass shower doors one of the latest styles on the market, but they are also affordable, easy to clean and they really keep the water inside the shower. Frameless is what we usually recommend because the framed glass tend to distract your eye from the beautiful tile work.

 

Example of frameless glass:



Surfaces USA materials used: Microcrystal white 12x24, Carrara White slab and showerpan-Carrara/Negro Marquina tumbled 4x4


 Example of framed glass:
 


Surfaces USA materials used: Classic Supreme F/H 12” and 18” and accent 2x2” AG105 glass
 
Glass shower doors are also transparent.  Even if you choose a heavily clouded model they will never be completely opaque.  If you feel that this lack of privacy does not work well with your living situation or modesty, a glass shower door might not be the right choice for you.

Now that you know that glass shower doors are durable, heavy, and semi-transparent, you can make an informed decision about their installation in your bathroom.

 



]]> Wed, 27 Oct 2010 20:43:04 +0000 <![CDATA[Quick Preperation Guide for Shower Pans]]> http://www.surfacesusa.com/blog/Preperation_Shower_Pan/ 1) All walls need to be blocked a minimum of 10” high from the pan floor. This blocking needs to be solid, 2- 2x6s stacked on edge with no gaps between pieces works well, where plumbing or other constraints prohibits the use of 2x blocking, plywood or other sheeting can be used. Where blocking cannot be installed due to obstructions in the bay, sheet metal backing can be used, 20 gauge is best. Surfaces USA does carry a supply of metal backing if needed.

2) For benches or shower seats, both the face and top need to be fully sheeted or blocked and have vertical backing were the seat face meets the walls, this needs to be a minimum of 3-1/2”. Where the bench top meets the wall 5-1/2” is the minimum blocking requirement here.

 3) Dams need to be a minimum of 2” above the height of the drain. This usually consists of 3- 2x4’s (or better) stacked flat or be made of brick, grouted block, poured curb, or be a recessed pan.

 4)Drains need to be 2-piece and installed to achieve the minimum amount or movement on wood sub-floors. Drains on slab need to be level, with sub-base flush with slab, access hole to be back- filled with-in 3/4” of slab.

 

Have any questions? Feel free to leave a comment or question below! :-)

 

]]> Fri, 15 Oct 2010 17:11:35 +0000 <![CDATA[Hotmopped shower pans]]> http://www.surfacesusa.com/blog/Hotmop_shower_pans/ Keeping water out of places it doesn't belong is CRUCIAL in your home remodeling process.  Water can cause extensive damage, especially in the cases of a slow leaking shower pan which can become a breeding ground for unhealthy molds and toxins that can go undetectable for months or even years.

Left unchecked, slow, almost non-existent drips can cause wood to rot, drywall to crumble and molds to form.  Repairs can run into thousands of dollars in repairs.

An average shower uses 25 gallons of water.  That’s thousands of gallons a year! Water penetrates the shower (especially where the floor meets the wall) and reaches your shower pan liner to drain to the weep holes at the drain.  If you are lucky enough to have a hot mopped shower pan liner then you don’t have to worry.

Water in- water out: a tried true system.

This hot mopped liner is your best defense against water intrusion that can damage your bathroom.  Even the smallest leak over time can cause major problems.

REASONS TO HOTMOP:
•    HOT MOPPING IS VERY AFFORDABLE
•    HOT MOPPING ONLY TAKES A FEW HOURS.
•    HOT MOPPING USES A NATURAL MATERIAL.
•    HOT MOPPING HAS A TIMELESS WEAR.
•    HOT MOPPING TRULY SEALS ALL SHAPES AND DESIGNS OF SHOWERS.
•    HOT MOPPING IS A PROVEN SEALING METHOD.
•    HOT MOPPING CONFORMS TO CUSTOM CONSTRUCTION.
•    HOT MOPPING IS INDUSTRY STANDARD FOR CA BUILDERS.


Here is an example of a hot mopped shower pan before it is tiled:





Let Surfaces USA inform you about the ultimate protection for your home as well as for construction jobs. Join me next week where I will teach you how to prepare your shower pan before the hot mop. Please leave your questions and comments below!

]]> Mon, 04 Oct 2010 18:23:29 +0000 <![CDATA[Should I install wainscot in my bathroom?]]> http://www.surfacesusa.com/blog/Wainscot_bathroom/ Wainscot paneling was originally made of wood and was used to cover the lower part of walls where they were likely to be affected by dampness rising from the ground.

Today, wainscot is used for more decorative applications, yet it still exudes an antique feel. Bathroom remodeling with waynes coating (secondary spelling) allows you to cover the lower 3 to 4 feet of your wall above the baseboard. Practically, it protects the part of the wall that is likely to get dirty more quickly. Aesthetically, the porcelain, stone, stainless steel or glass tile combines well with either wallpaper or paint. 


We recommend you start with the selection of your field tile.  If you want to create a more traditional look, you can select a decorative listello (a tile border) with a molding to go on the bottom and the top of the listello. Or for a more modern look , try using a stainless steel tile or glass instead as shown below.

Many customers continue the design from the shower and continue it into the wainscot to tie the bathroom together.

Please leave your questions and comments below!

]]> Fri, 17 Sep 2010 18:04:28 +0000 <![CDATA[Handicap Accessible Showers ]]> http://www.surfacesusa.com/blog/Handicap-Showers/ Handicap Accessible Showers are easier to get in and out of than conventional showers or bathtubs.



By Installing a handicap shower stall with the shower floor level with the bathroom floor it allows seniors, disabled persons, and people of all ages to enjoy a safe and comfortable bathroom without sacrificing style.

A "curbless" wheelchair accessible shower (or walk in shower, without a step) helps people with limited mobility to enjoy walking into the shower without barriers or for a wheelchair to be rolled directly into the shower over a collapsible water dam or water stopper. Handicap bars are recommended for extra safety measures and a bench can be built for sitting down.

Caregivers can easily assist in transfers when you replace your bathtub with a roomy roll in shower stall.

Here at Surfaces USA we can help you convert a tub area or standard shower into a handicap shower.

Here is an example of a tub shower before and after converting into a handicap shower:

Before                                                        After

 

Please feel free to leave your questions and comments below!

]]> Thu, 02 Sep 2010 16:14:42 +0000 <![CDATA[How to Install Subway Tiles]]> http://www.surfacesusa.com/blog/subway_tiles/ There are the simple ways of intstalling subway or rectangle tiles, then there is the Surfaces USA way! Joe and Nancy from Surfaces USA in San Diego show you the different ways that you can install subway tiles in your home or office.

Fresh way to install subway tiles from Surfaces USA on Vimeo.

]]> Tue, 24 Aug 2010 19:03:49 +0000 <![CDATA[Adding Pizzaz to Your Simple Shower]]> http://www.surfacesusa.com/blog/Tile_Picture_Frame/ The bathroom was once called the wash closet; and became a standard room in an American home during the 19th century.  They were built strictly for function.  For the most part wash closets were decorated in a sterile, white design. But with modern technology and the yearning for color, all that has changed.

A unique design that is simple and will add pizzazz to your shower is a tile picture frame. Usually locationed on a main center wall in the shower or tub, this simple addition will create a centerpiece that sets your bathroom apart from the rest. How do you shop for a tile picture frame?

1) Generally you want to select a field tile on the outside of the shower that is not busy, meaning the colors are not too intense and the veining is subtle. 

2) Then select the size and color of the molding to go around frame. The color of the molding can blend in with the surrounding tile or it can be a contrast, depending on how much pizzazz you want to create.

3) Lastly, select the inside of the picture frame which can be a mosaic or a different size tile on a different angle. 

Another idea is to create that same frame on the floor without molding and create a mirrored effect. 

Please watch our short video for an example of matching and contrasting picture frame designs!

 

Add Pizzaz to Your Shower with a Tile Picture Frame from Surfaces USA on Vimeo.

Happy Tile Shopping, please leave your comments and questions below.

]]> Mon, 09 Aug 2010 17:18:25 +0000 <![CDATA[Tiling a Shower with Slate or Quartzite]]> http://www.surfacesusa.com/blog/tileshower/ Are you tired of your standard white tile or fiberglass stall?  Did you know that a person spends an average of 182 hours a year in the bathroom?

   Would you like the feeling of being away in a paradise where you can bathe in a stone grotto and where waterfalls wash the dirt away from your body?  Hopping on a plane whisking away to an island retreat every time you take a bath is great, if you’re a millionaire.  What is the next best thing? Slate and quartzite stone tiles in your tub, shower walls and bathroom floor.

   Slate is a micro-crystalline metamorphic rock commonly derived from shale.  Quartzite is metamorphosed sandstone, with a texture similar to slate with more iridescence.  These materials are more commonly seen in exterior areas.  But only for the creative and open-minded, can these materials be used and are practical in indoor areas also. They are very natural in color and texture and give you and very organic color scheme and feel.

Slate Versailles Pattern (Photo Below)


    Since slate can be found in many different shapes, mosaics and sizes think about what kind of design you want in your bathroom.  Do you want uneven or flat slate tiles? Do you want square or irregular tiles? Many different shapes and sizes are available to meet your design and we are here to help you select the correct ones for your home retreat.

Harvest quartzite ledgerstone (Photo Below)

Check out photos from our clients bathroom that we reomodeled (BELOW.) Here we used Harvest quartzite ledger stone to create a bathroom spa retreat for them:

China Multicolor Slate Tub Area (Photo Below)

China Multicolor Slate Shower (Photo Below)

Our next shower (BELOW) is installed in our showroom, with a polished Ocean Green quartzite 6" x 12" on the walls and matching moldings around the picture frame. The shower pan and inside picture frame is slate in random mosaic form (all materials availabe at Surfaces USA).

 

We have over 30 shower installations in our showroom in San Diego to inspire you an spark your creativity! If you don't see it in our showroom, then let's work together to create something original. Please leave me your questions, comments or suggestions below! Happy Friday all. :-)

 

]]> Fri, 16 Jul 2010 15:43:58 +0000 <![CDATA[Remodeling a Guest Bathroom]]> http://www.surfacesusa.com/blog/Guest-Bathroom/ We will show you the progress of how we remodel our client's guest bathroom from start to finish, and you'll learn some vocabulary along the way! Please leave comments and questions below.

 

Remodeling a Guest Bathroom from Surfaces USA on Vimeo.

]]> Wed, 30 Jun 2010 22:48:02 +0000 <![CDATA[Designing Bathrooms with Busy Stone ]]> http://www.surfacesusa.com/blog/BathroomRemodeling/ In today's video blog I will show you how we took one client's bathroom from plain to classy in 3 simple steps. Also, I will show you how to use a busy natural stone material, or a stone with a lot of movement in a setting where it can still be beautiful! Please comment below with any questions or comments.

Hot Company, Cool Showers from Surfaces USA on Vimeo.

]]> Tue, 29 Jun 2010 18:34:44 +0000 <![CDATA[Meet Joe & Nancy Ward]]> http://www.surfacesusa.com/blog/NancyJoeWard/ --> -->

Joe and Nancy Ward are a knowledgeable team of industry professionals with a combined 25 years of experience in the natural stone and installation industry.  Nancy Ward started her career in the natural stone business in high school where she fell in love with exotic stones from all over the world.  Joe Ward started his career in construction, and when he married Nancy he became curious as to why she loved her career so much.  Joe soon joined Nancy in the stone and tile world, and now they are both very well known and trusted by many contractors and other stone companies throughout San Diego, CA.  This expert team specializes in home remodeling projects from start to finish.  From helping clients select the stone and design best fit for their lifestyle, to helping clients with proper installation. The Wards live in San Diego with their two children and love to help and give back to local communities.     

Please feel free to comment or leave any questions for them below!



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