Bathroom remodeling can hike value

Bathroom remodeling can substantially increase the resale value ofyour home. If your budget is limited, just make gradual improvementsover several years.

Other than kitchens, bathrooms, especially master baths, are thegreatest energy and water consumer in a typical home.

The first item to consider is how to heat your bathroom. A quiet,yet rapid, heating method is best. A combination of various types ofradiant heat is the most efficient and comfortable option. Theseinclude wall and ceiling heating panels, cove and an electric floorheating unit.

A radiant panel provides heat quickly without chilly breezes. Itheats like walking into the sunshine. This allows you to keep thebathroom cooler when it is not being used. It would be difficult toaccomplish the same rapid, quiet heating with forced-air units.

Electric floor heating provides the ultimate comfort when you stepout of a shower. It is ideal under decorative ceramic tile that willhold the heat. Since this does not provide instant heat, considerputting it on a timer.

If you have ever used a towel warmer after bathing in a hotel, youknow how great it feels. There are attractive brass, real oak woodand chrome plug-in, home-size models that mount on a wall or on doorhinges.

Most people add a whirlpool or hydro-massaging, multihead showerwhen remodeling. Some five-head showers have a small pump thatrecirculates the warm water to reduce usage. A low-flow standardshower head is a must. Most new filtering heads remove chlorine witha KDF element and save water, too.

Select one of the new super-quiet automatic combination vent fan/lights. These have motion and humidity sensors to make sure they donot run too long or too little.

Install a low-water-usage toilet. One-piece models are mostattractive. Pressure-assist designs provide a positive, quick flush,but are slightly noisier.

Update Bulletin No. 910 is a buyer's guide of 14 manufacturers ofefficient/comfort bathroom products: radiant heating, towel warmers,unique showers, whirlpools, toilets, quiet vent fans and ceramictile. Please send $3 and a business-size, self-addressed, stampedenvelope to: James Dulley, Chicago Sun-Times, 6906 Royalgreen Dr.,Cincinnati, Ohio 45244. Or download from: www.dulley.com.

Engineer James Dulley writes from Cincinnati.