Lacklustre to Luxury

From Handyman Magazine

A long-overdue makeover turns an ugly duckling into a modern, spacious and light-filled bathroom.

Download Lacklustre to luxury project PDF

Why is it that one of the smallest rooms in the house is often the last to be renovated? Could it be that, despite its size, it can be the most expensive and most demanding in skill level? The old bathroom was all that remained to be renovated in this original 1970s house. The owners had extended and extensively modernised around it over many years and it was a standing joke among friends and family that they would hold a huge celebration once the original bathroom was finally gone. Well, break open the bubbly because this ugly duckling has transformed, doubling in size and sporting the latest in sleek, modern facilities, stylish tiling and decorating ideas.

Before you start, check the local regulations
Contact your local council or building authority to check what regulations and requirements you must follow. Some local councils require waterproofing work to be carried out by licensed applicators, so always check what applies in your area.

STEP 1

Demolition time
Once the extension was complete, the original back wall and window were removed to open up the new space. The old bath, toilet and vanity were next to go, then the cut plumbing pipes were capped. Next, the wall linings and ceiling were stripped from their timber framework. All remaining nails and blobs of stud adhesive were removed or chiselled off in readiness for relining.

STEP 2

Tackling the floor
The old mosaic tiled floor was completely removed using a light demolition hammer with a spade bit, to expose the original fibre cement sheet. New floor joists were fitted at 450mm centres, positioned to take a new fibre cement sheet. The new design incorporates a channel drain between the old and new sections of floor, so we left a gap in the compressed flooring to create a rebate to hold the channel.

STEP 3

The vanity space
An alcove to house the new vanity was created where the old shower/bath had been. This entailed extending the side wall by 430mm, creating a return or nib wall, to separate the shower from the vanity area. A timber bulkhead was dropped 300mm below ceiling height to accommodate the fluorescent vanity light, hidden behind a diffuser lens sitting on a moulded timber frame.

STEP 4

Time for the professionals
With everything exposed, it was time to call in the plumber and electrician. The new plumbing for the shower, hand basin and the spa bath were installed, as well as the redesigned floor waste system. New wiring for lights and the new exhaust fan/heater/light unit were laid, and power points installed for the spa pump and heated towel rail.

STEP 5

Hidden extras
The owners opted for a Caroma 'Leda Invisi' toilet suite, which has a slimline cistern hidden within the wall cavity. A wall cavity of 90mm was required so the existing 75mm wall studs were removed and replaced. The cistern was mounted into the stud framework and the water connected. The pump for the new spa bath was hidden in the support framework under the bath.

STEP 6

Bath support framework
The size of the bath frame will vary according to the size of the bath, and can be made from timber, brick or steel. The owners opted for a timber frame constructed from 90 x 45mm pine. The rim of the bath was to overhang the frame by 20mm on all four sides. Once assembled, the frame was levelled and screw-fixed to the existing stud walls.