Thursday, February 22, 2018

Shower Door Design

Over recent years, the trend of creating a spa-bathroom has skyrocketed. Bathrooms have transformed from serving as a purely functional space into a space that homeowners enjoy and want to spend their time in. Thus, bathroom design has changed immensely, which includes everything from the layout, square footage, materials, fixtures, and more.

Up until now, one of the most popular shower configurations was the standard shower/tub combo since it promoted functionality and "did the job." Currently, the big trend in bathroom design is to either convert the shower/tub combo into a walk-in shower, or adding square footage into the bathroom for a separate shower and bathtub. (Feel free to check out this blog post on Creating an Efficient Shower Design For Your Bathroom Reno). Since separate shower spaces are rising in popularity, the design of the shower becomes a high priority in bathroom renovation planning. One design aspect of the shower to be considered is the shower door.

custom bathroom with a clear shower door and stainless hardware

Shower Door Design

Previously, shower doors had a simple function to keep water off of the floor to prevent any water damage to the space. Now, shower doors are no longer an afterthought of the room; they can even be a focal point.

Since homeowners aren't confined to the standard shower/tub combinations (and standard shower doors), there is much more opportunity for creativity in the design of the shower door. With so many options to choose from when choosing a shower door, you might be wondering "what are some popular designs?" Well, let's take a look at a couple of the current trends in shower door designs.

corner shower glass enclosure and a pivot shower door

Design Trends

The minimalist design trend has become popular for the home, including the bathroom (and shower door). A minimalist shower door typically has less (or nonexistent) hardware and framing.  This design tactic is perfect for intricate shower tile designs as this allows you to show off the shower design. It also makes the bathroom appear lighter and more open.

On the other hand, this is an increase in popularity in having the shower door as a strong focal point. This includes choosing bolder finishes such as dark bronze and warm brass for the door's hardware and framing.

Concerning the glass on the shower door, current style trends tend to favor clear glass. While the traditional frosted glass provides privacy, clear glass creates an open feel and can give the illusion of a larger space.

shower door with a dark bronze frame

Choosing the Shower Door

When choosing a shower door, it is important to look at the types of doors offered. There are several types of shower doors to choose from, including sliding, pivoting, and hinged doors. Typically, sliding doors are good for shower/tub combos, while pivoting doors are a good choice for a narrow shower. Ultimately, the type of door you choose will be the one that suits your shower configuration and space the best.

Once the door type is chosen, the glass, hardware, and framing should be picked out. Choosing the right finishes on the shower door can help tie the shower design with the rest of the bathroom. If you have any questions on getting started with your bathroom remodel, feel free to reach out to us to schedule a free in-home consultation.

Friday, February 2, 2018

Sunroom Addition with Skylights

Sunroom Addition with Skylights

We are proud to finally show off this home addition! Our team at Balducci Additions and Remodeling recently finished this beautiful sunroom addition in Mechanicsville, Virginia.

exterior shot of the sunroom addition

Our clients wanted a multi-functional space that their family could enjoy year-round, as well as for entertaining guests. The project included demoing and removing the screened porch. Initially, the clients wanted to keep the existing structure, add on extra square footage, and convert the screened porch into a sunroom. However, the existing structure could not support additional square footage. Our team made the call to completely remove the screened porch and start from scratch.

Before
Before

One of the main reasons our clients decided to go forward with the addition was to have a space for in-laws visiting, as well as for other guests from out of town. The clients made sure the sunroom had enough room for a day bed for any overnight guests.


This sunroom addition allows lots of natural lighting; after all, the room features 14 windows! The sunroom addition includes two skylights in the vaulted ceiling, as well as triple single-hung windows to the left and right walls. The back wall features a large picture window with a set of double single-hung windows on either side. To keep the wall from looking too overbearing in comparison to the other windows, we installed a decorative window above. As an added benefit, all of the the single-hung windows can be opened to allow fresh breeze to come in.

sunroom addition with two skylights
exterior of the sunroom addition with decorative window

The sunroom addition also includes a full bathroom with a tub/shower combo, perfect and convenient for visitors and for anyone enjoying the space.


The new space also includes an informal dining area to the right corner. This area is perfect for sharing a meal with family on a nice summer evening, or for guests to enjoy a private cup of coffee in the morning.


Our company also installed a mini-split system to ensure that the space will be comfortable year round for family and friends. Balducci Additions and Remodeling highly recommends installing mini-splits in room additions since they are a cost effective way to provide heating and cooling. Additionally, they can even save you money since they can be turned on and off as you are using the space. To read more on mini-split systems, please check out this blog post.


The addition also features a living/family area with a media center for family movie nights, and the like.


Since the sunroom does experience direct light midday, the clients decided it was best to add shades to the windows. That way, the harsh sunlight can be easily blocked out so that the room can be enjoyed throughout the day.


To see more photos of the addition, please check out our Houzz page.