What is a Curbless Shower?

A curbless shower, also known as a threshold-free shower, has no step or barrier to cross over when entering or exiting. These showers are more accessible and safe for people of all ages and abilities, including those with mobility issues. Curbless showers are typically flush with the surrounding bathroom floor. They often have features like grab bars and non-slip surfaces to improve safety. They are becoming increasingly popular for their sleek and modern appearance, as well as their practicality and versatility. With no barrier to stepping over, they also make cleaning and maintaining the bathroom space easier.

Curbless Shower Design Ideas

Curbless showers are becoming increasingly popular in modern bathroom design due to their sleek and minimalist appearance. One of the best design ideas for a curbless shower is incorporating a linear drain system. This type of drain eliminates the need for a central drain, providing more freedom in the shower design and making it easier to clean. Another great design idea is to use large-format tiles on the shower floor and walls, which helps to create a cohesive and spacious look. Also, choosing materials with anti-slip properties, such as textured porcelain or natural stone, can help increase safety in the shower. Other curbless shower design ideas include installing built-in seating, adding a rain showerhead, and incorporating niches or shelving for storage. By embracing these ideas, homeowners can create a beautiful and functional space that’s both stylish and safe.

Quality Curbless Shower Materials

Some of the best materials for constructing curbless showers are tiles, natural stone, and terrazzo. Tiles are suitable for creating custom looks because they come in many shapes, sizes, and textures. Natural stones such as granite and marble add a luxurious touch to the bathroom and are highly durable. They require little maintenance and provide slip-resistant surfaces. Terrazzo is a smooth, polished surface made from marble, quartz, or granite chips and cement. It’s durable and easy to clean. When installed correctly, these materials provide a barrier-free shower environment without compromising the style and function of the bathroom.

Benefits of a Curbless Shower

A Bathroom With a Curbless Shower Feels More Spacious

When people enter a bathroom with a curbless shower, they often describe a sense of walking into a spa. Without the visual obstacle of the curb, the wall-to-wall floor creates a more streamlined and airy look. This trend is especially noticeable if you have a small-to-medium-sized bathroom.

Your Curbless Shower Highlights Design Elements

You’ve carefully designed your shower’s interior to include your favorite stone, tiles, fixtures, and other building materials. Why hide these design features with a door or curtain? Instead, you can make them an integral part of your new bathroom’s overall design.

This No-Obstacle Shower Is Accessible to Everyone in Your Home

By eliminating a four to six-inch barrier, you create a safe and accessible bathroom for everyone. If you plan to remain in your home long-term and “age in place,” a threshold-free substitute is ideal. For families who are building additions or remodeling an existing area for grandparents, the curbless shower is also a smart choice. It gives greater independence to those in wheelchairs or with mobility issues. And remember that it’s possible for anyone, disabled or not, to trip over a shower threshold.

A Threshold-Free Shower Makes Cleaning Less of a Chore

It’s hard work cleaning a small corner or alcove shower. It’s incredibly frustrating trying to scrub hard-to-reach areas, especially those prone to mold and mildew. Cleaning the shower floor while bending over a barrier can also be awkward and even painful. Cleaning an open shower is physically more comfortable with a handheld showerhead. Plus, there are fewer areas where grime and mildew can build up, making it easier to keep your shower sparkling clean.

The Design Keeps Water Where It Should Be

Although you might think otherwise, a barrier-free shower helps keep water in place. An architect can provide a proper “splash zone” and design the floor to slope down toward the drain for efficient water removal. One warning—make sure the showerhead is in the right position to keep water in the splash zone!

The Open Floor Plan Creates a More Inviting Space

Despite all the advantages, there are a few reasons why some people prefer a standard shower. They might like the added privacy of an enclosed shower. However, you can also achieve this level of privacy with obscured glass or curtains—although you’ll lose some of the open layout. Secondly, you might be afraid that water will get everywhere. This design could be a problem if the contractor doesn’t allow for a sufficient splash zone. That said, a high-quality contractor will know the right layout and products to minimize this issue. A third concern is that the open floor plan will leave you exposed to the cooler air outside the showering area. While this is true, heated flooring and other smart design elements can help keep you toasty.

Steps to Take to Ensure Proper Drainage in Your Curbless Shower

To guarantee proper drainage in a curbless shower, follow these steps:

• Slope the shower floor towards the drain. This step can be done with a pre-sloped shower pan or linear drain system.
• Waterproof the entire shower area with a membrane.
• Consult with a plumber to ensure the drainage system is installed and meets local plumbing codes.
• Clean and maintain the drainage system to prevent clogs and ensure water flows freely.

By following these steps, a curbless shower can provide a safe and accessible bathing experience for all users.

Should My Bathroom Remodeling Include a Curbless Shower?

Only you can decide if a curbless shower or threshold-free shower suits your tastes, family needs, and lifestyle. Above all, review these options with your remodeling team. Most important, find a contracting company that is highly qualified and experienced. Otherwise, you risk having disastrous cost overages, delays, and repairs. For example, improperly sealed seams or low grouting can lead to expensive leaks and severe damage.

Remodeling your bathroom is a significant investment in your family’s home. For your project to run smoothly, there’s nothing more important than hiring a contractor with impeccable craft and professionalism with the best results. To find out more about making your bathroom remodel a success, contact us today for you

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If you’re starting a kitchen remodeling project, you’ve probably got a million ideas in your head. As you consider all your options, you might be wondering what the popular trends are. Here are six trends based on the most common requests we’ve seen over the past year.

Top Kitchen Trends:

• Open Dining Area

• More Storage

• Multi-Purpose Island

• Two-Tone or Textured Cabinets

• Brighter Space & More Light

• 3D Design Renders

• Next steps towards your dream kitchen…

Trend 1: An Open Kitchen Dining Area

Today’s homeowners want their kitchen to be an inviting central hub for family and friends. Consider space for doing homework, cooking meals together, and entertaining friends.

More and more homeowners are choosing to combine their dining room and kitchen into one integrated space. This group especially includes those with older homes and cramped kitchens. Room integration creates a lighter feel, easier traffic flow, and better insulation. With the popularity of open layouts, this type of space can also increase your home’s value.

Trend 2: More Storage

Recently there’s been an explosion of creative ways to maximize your kitchen remodeling. Start by thinking about what you want to be easily accessible in your kitchen. Some trending ideas include customized pantries, corner drawers, and pull-out trash and recycling bins.

Other popular space-saving ideas might include:

• vertical storage for cooking sheets and pans;
• roll-away carts and islands for storage and cooking prep;
• a pet food area;
• microwave drawers;
• or a hidden “appliance garage” to store your toaster and coffeemaker.

Trend 3: A Large, Multi-Purpose Island

One of the most popular trends in the kitchen island is a growing preference for grand islands extending six feet or more. By starting with informal seating, you can achieve elegant islands with fantastic utility.

Use yours for valuable storage space, another prep surface, or convenient power outlets. Islands also create a focal point that helps ground the space. This style is perfect for entertaining large gatherings.

Trend 4: Two-Tone or Textured Cabinets

Your kitchen color shows your personality, helps set the mood and can enhance kitchen design. Recently, we’ve seen a move toward two-toned cabinets. These styles use either bold, contrasting colors or shades that are closer in tone. The most classic look is darker on the bottom cabinets and lighter on the top cabinets, which increases a sense of balance.

Another option is using your dual-tone to create a focal point on one wall or island. You can vary color using different materials, such as having primarily solid wood cabinets, along with one that has glass panes for displaying particular items. The design options have come a long way since the 70s, and we even see beautiful manufactured materials with unique textures and sheens creating modern and sleek styles.

Regardless of your choice, cabinets play a crucial role in determining the space’s overall design feel – from modern to contemporary to traditional.

Need some inspiration for your own kitchen remodel? Woodland Builders can help!

Explore Woodland's Portfolio

Trend 5: Lighter, Brighter Space

Lighting affects functionality and sets the mood, so make sure you include it in your kitchen remodeling plan and budget. You’ll want to make sure your lighting is robust, energy-efficient, comfortable, and flexible.

Start with a standard layout—including cabinets, workspaces, eating areas, appliances, and island placement—to guide your lighting plan. Then apply the concept of “layers of light,” using different lighting types, including ambient light for a base level of illumination, task light for functional spaces, and accent lighting to highlight display items, artwork, or architectural details.

While technology can create beautiful light, natural light is often underrated. By enlarging or incorporating new windows and see-through doors, you can dramatically transform a space by bringing the outdoors in and take advantage of pretty outdoor landscaping.

Trend 6: 3D Design Rendering

Today, 3D design rendering software is one of the most valuable tools in designing and remodeling its arsenal. 3D renderings empower clients, providing them with a way to more accurately visualize their space.

This software removes a great deal of guesswork in the design phase, enabling you to accurately preview how different colors, designs, materials, and shapes will look. It also helps the remodeler catch potential problems and fine-tunes measurements before the work begins.

Ultimately, 3D rendering vastly improves communication between you and the design-build contractor, providing a way for both parties to stay on the same page throughout the process—with results that will provide the highest satisfaction.

The Right Kitchen Remodeling Contractor in Hingham, MA

It’s up to you to do your homework to find a skilled and ethical contractor for your home improvement project. The candidate you choose should have a clear and measurable process for your next kitchen remodeling project. Research each contractor to make the best decision for your home additions. After you’ve reviewed and signed the contract proposal, you’ll write a deposit check. Now you’re one step closer to your dream home.

For more examples of our past work, follow us on Instagram @woodlandcontracting.

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The Norwell-based company takes home Gold and Silver for Wellesley Home Addition.

Norwell, MA, September 8, 2020 — Tripp Woodland announced today that his company, Woodland Builders, has been recognized by the Eastern Massachusetts Chapter of the National Association of the Remodeling Industry (EM NARI) with two 2020 EM NARI Contractor of the Year (CotY) awards.

Woodland received a Gold Award in Residential Addition of $200,000 or higher and a Silver Award in Best Kitchen from $50,000 to $100,000.

Woodland Builders is a residential remodeling company based in Hanover and focused on the South Shore, specializing in additions, kitchen and bathroom renovations, and whole home renovation projects. 

The awards recognized a Wellesley home addition and interior reconfiguration.

“The purpose of this project was to add space for a future growing family and reconfigure the floor plan due to poor flow and lack of storage space.

We hear this complaint from many of our clients, and it is always fun to watch that final ‘reveal’ moment for them.”

Woodland describes some of the specific challenges in this home. For instance, the house did not have a mudroom and the front hall closet was located in the middle of the house making for an awkward situation.

Also, the cramped floor plan limited the number of guests the family could host, only having space to seat 6.  Stackable laundry created an awkward situation where you had to open the door into the hallway plus there was no space to put anything.

The new laundry setup is another area that improved the homeowners’ quality of life.” 

Woodland was presented the CotY Award at EM NARI’s Virtual Evening of Excellence event on Wednesday, September 2nd.  “We are honored to be recognized for this project. Honestly, it’s icing on the cake after seeing how happy the family is in their newly configured space,” said Woodland. 

This year, there were 80 projects submitted for CotY Awards across eighteen categories. A panel of eleven independent reviewers judged the project entries in a blind evaluation. 

About Woodland Builders: Woodland Builders is a Custom Residential & Commercial Contracting company based on the South Shore with projects that include new homes, renovations, and restorations. To learn more about working with Woodland, visit www.woodlandcontractingma.com. 

EM NARI is a non-profit membership association dedicated to advancing quality in the professional remodeling industry.  Comprised of over 200 local companies representing nearly 1,000 area professionals, EM NARI is a recognized source for information about residential remodeling and local professionals.

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1. Bathroom: A bathroom can be integral to your basement remodeling projects. Commonly, the bathroom is installed close to existing wiring and plumbing, often directly beneath one on the upper floor. Plus, the layout must incorporate proper drainage. Beyond these basics, think about what you want. Is just a toilet and sink okay, or do you want a full bath to use for guests or kids? Once a layout is established, it’s time for design elements.
2. Second Living Room: A living room can be for entertaining, playing, and general family time. But a second living room can provide much needed “me time.” If the basement is the footprint of the entire upstairs, the space also works for entertaining larger groups. Alternately, you can use it as a more casual family room or even as a place for your kids to have their own space.
3. Extra Bedroom: An additional bedroom is handy for out-of-town guests, an expanding family, or a teenager who wants a more private space. For real estate purposes, the legal definition of a bedroom may include size, ceiling-height, means of egress, windows, ventilation, closets, electrical, and sanitary/septic codes. Depending on the size and layout, adding a bath and small living area can provide greater convenience and comfort.
4. Rental Unit: Your basement can bring in rental income but be sure to follow your city or towns building regulations and zoning laws. Know the requirements for minimum size, heating, electric, plumbing, bathroom facilities, outdoor access, maximum number of tenants, fire escapes, and parking. Finally, be aware of tax considerations of in-home rental properties.
5. Home Gym: Without the hassle of getting to the gym, you might be more motivated to work out. To get started, think about your workout routine. How much space do you need for equipment? What kind of flooring is best? Do you want a private shower? What design elements will energize you? This is your personal space, so explore ways to maximize enjoyment and fitness.
6. Home Office: A home office apart from the general living space can make you more productive. First, know the municipal regulations for conducting business out of your home. Next, determine layout requirements, including electrical, phones, internet, computers, business equipment, lighting, storage, furniture, and soundproofing. For privacy and convenience, consider a separate bathroom, kitchenette, and separate entrance.
7. Home Theater/Media Room: This versatile, multipurpose space usually features a large flat screen TV, surround-sound, cozy furniture, and a good view for all. You can plan for recessed speakers to avoid unsightly wiring, storage for all your media components, and acoustic-friendly surfaces. Include a bathroom to avoid running upstairs in the middle of the movie. Add a bar or kitchenette to keep you supplied with snacks and drinks.
8. Wet Bar: For family comfort, a small refrigerator for soft drinks might suffice. But for adult gatherings, a wet bar might hit the spot. Your bar can simply be a space to prepare drinks, or it could be a central gathering spot with a sink, a larger refrigerator, kitchen-type storage, wall-mounted TV, plenty of counter space, and spacious seating. Your lifestyle is what matters.
9. Walk-Out Access: A walk-out basement can create a great living space that provides access to your yard, pool, or patio. This type of basement incorporates a wall with doors and windows on the ground level, on a site that typically has a slope to the rear of the property. The walkout can be spacious and bright, and having its own entrance makes it great for any purpose. It’s possible to build a walk-out basement, even if your home doesn’t currently have one, especially if you have an exposed side of the basement that is not underground.

Whether your main goal is enhancing personal enjoyment or boosting real estate value, remodeling your basement can be a smart move. No matter the budget, there are several factors that can’t be overlooked. First, find a permanent solution to getting rid of any moisture problems. Second, make safety an important part of the plan. Third, comply with all the legalities that apply to the function of the remodeled space. Last, but not least, use trusted professionals who will expertly guide you throughout the process to bring you the greatest enjoyment and value from your reimagined basement.

Written By Woodland Builders.

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