Home Remodel: Do, Don'ts, Advice

**BC13** · 10-12-2020, 08:46 PM

Just had our kitchen redone and we are planning the master bath gut job and remodel. I love taking a steam and know I would make use of it if we have one I stalled.

Our contractor, who did our kitchen, is an old school straight shooter who did not have anything positive to say about installing steam showers.

Has anyone had a steam shower installed? If so, any problems of which I should be aware? How well do they work? I've gone neck deep down the interwebz rabbit hole and understand some of the necessities (sloped ceiling, extra vapor barrier behind tile, etc.) But am looking to hear some unvarnished first hand accounts.

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**Foggy_Goggles** · 10-13-2020, 07:29 AM

Steam showers are really expensive to do right. I know a handful of GC and tile guys that make the customer signing a waiver that basically says, "we will do our best but no guarantees". That isn't to say that it can't be done but anytime the conversation has come up with my customers, I've been able to price them into changing there mind.

**Foggy_Goggles** · 10-13-2020, 07:31 AM

Random question - anyone have any recommendations for online retailers of Colorado suppliers of simple stocked size vinyl windows. I have a storage building and a sunroom on a cabin that I need to get done. My regular supplier is "6 weeks out" which probably means 8. I'd prefer not to go the Home Depot/Lowe's route.

**fastfred** · 10-13-2020, 08:03 AM

I do lots of steam showers/steam rooms commercial and residential they start around 15k and go from there I use Amerec steam units good customer service easy to work on and get parts
one of the three steam showers I'm currently doing a 40sq ft steam shower in a private home with 1 1/4 inch thick concrete walls the walls have radiant heat tubing imbedded in them two shower heads, rain shower, niches bench and porno ledges to get your feet off the ground two can lights with color changing leds not sure about the vapor barrier between the framing and cement board I don't install anything bad idea in my book

unless you have specific questions I don't know what to say do lots of them don't have problems think they are great high profit margin project

**MontuckyFried** · 10-13-2020, 08:13 AM

Originally Posted by Foggy_Goggles

Random question - anyone have any recommendations for online retailers of Colorado suppliers of simple stocked size vinyl windows. I have a storage building and a sunroom on a cabin that I need to get done. My regular supplier is "6 weeks out" which probably means 8. I'd prefer not to go the Home Depot/Lowe's route.

Ugh. Same story here. Trying to replace a few windows and EVERYONE'S been consistently sold out of what used to be normal stock items. Even Lowes/HD has told me that they're like 8-12 weeks. WTF is going on? Shouldn't be THAT hard to buy a damn window of a non-custom size. Got a tip that a local supplier gets a shipment today. Gonna hit them up and see if I can snag one today.

**Timberridge** · 10-13-2020, 08:27 AM

First toilet paper, now windows.

**climberevan** · 10-13-2020, 08:30 AM

I'll pretty much echo FastFred's comments on steam showers. Yes, they are expensive, and $15k sounds like the absolute minimum for a small one. I've done a few, and haven't had trouble, but you def want to choose a contractor & tile guy who are very confident in their ability to waterproof everything. Mr Steam brand generators have been good for me. You might have to abandon your current contractor if he isn't comfortable.

**babybear** · 10-13-2020, 08:40 AM

Originally Posted by MontuckyFried

Ugh. Same story here. Trying to replace a few windows and EVERYONE'S been consistently sold out of what used to be normal stock items. Even Lowes/HD has told me that they're like 8-12 weeks. WTF is going on? Shouldn't be THAT hard to buy a damn window of a non-custom size. Got a tip that a local supplier gets a shipment today. Gonna hit them up and see if I can snag one today.

manufacturing was closed for several wks at the beginning of covid and it hasn’t had a chance to catch up with that pent up demand yet (plus less productivity due to more distancing inside the manufacturing facilities.) Then add more demand from all the DIY’ing and continued strength of the housing mkt driven by low rates and the shift from urban areas and the supply can’t keep up.
supply/demand imbalance not expected to be resolved until after the new yr maybe

**fastfred** · 10-13-2020, 08:40 AM

Originally Posted by Timberridge

First toilet paper, now windows.

you should see this backsplash we did using windowpane 5k came out really nice but being fucked up on acid the whole time made it a rough go

**MontuckyFried** · 10-13-2020, 08:49 AM

Originally Posted by babybear

manufacturing was closed for several wks at the beginning of covid and it hasn’t had a chance to catch up with that pent up demand yet (plus less productivity due to more distancing inside the manufacturing facilities.) Then add more demand from all the DIY’ing and continued strength of the housing mkt driven by low rates and the shift from urban areas and the supply can’t keep up.
supply/demand imbalance not expected to be resolved until after the new yr maybe

Wow. That's crazy. Your explanation makes sense though. Hope I can get one soon because I have an entry door that's totally rotted out and needs to be replaced stat but it shares trim with a window that also needs to be replaced. Really hoping I can replace both at the same time if only I can get the stupid window. The standard door I want seems to be in good supply at least.

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**BC13** · 10-13-2020, 09:19 AM

Foggy, Fred and Climber,

Thanks for the input. I really like and, more importantly, trust our contractor. That said, I am afraid I might need to find someone else if he is not comfortable installing the steam shower. I'm going to ask him If his hesitance is due to the PIA and time factor or his lack of comfort installing the steam shower.

Our contractor does all the work by himself and really steered us in the right direction on our kitchen project, bringing up potential issues before they arose. My sense is that it is a PIA for him and he does not want some issues inherent to steam showers (difficult to dry out) creating dissatisfied customers down the road.

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**AdironRider** · 10-13-2020, 09:28 AM

I'll echo 15K minimum for a small steam shower. The tile guy needs to be on point.

You will probably need a dedicated circuit to run the thing, and that is a minimum of a G around here.

They are also kinda loud so the location of the unit is often overlooked but important for the chill factor of a steam.

Definitely sounds like your GC is trying to avoid the PIA factor as well as you not being pleased. If you are ready to spend 10's on thousands on a shower then by all means but with steam its go big or go home, no real way to cut costs and have it come out alright.

That all being said, when done well they sure are fucking sweet. I'd take a steam shower over a hot tub all day.

**mcski** · 10-13-2020, 10:00 AM

My sister in law used to have a prefab shower unit that included steam. It was pretty damn nice too. Way less hassle than a tiled shower for cleaning, etc. It was nice enough quality to satisfy most shower snobs too.

**BC13** · 10-13-2020, 10:13 AM

We were planning on doing a tiled walk in shower so I figured, seemingly incorrectly, that adding the steam shower might "only" cost another 4k. The units are roughly $1500-$2000. Running a 220 line will be a huge PIA due to bathroom being on the very opposite end of house from the bathroom. Huge PIA probably = another $$. Sloping the ceiling inside the shower adds additional? Installing the unit? I can see how it really adds up.

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**BC13** · 10-13-2020, 10:14 AM

Originally Posted by mcski

My sister in law used to have a prefab shower unit that included steam. It was pretty damn nice too. Way less hassle than a tiled shower for cleaning, etc. It was nice enough quality to satisfy most shower snobs too.

I showed my wife a couple of the prefab units. They were a no go for her.

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**DJSapp** · 10-13-2020, 10:29 AM

Originally Posted by MontuckyFried

Ugh. Same story here. Trying to replace a few windows and EVERYONE'S been consistently sold out of what used to be normal stock items. Even Lowes/HD has told me that they're like 8-12 weeks. WTF is going on? Shouldn't be THAT hard to buy a damn window of a non-custom size. Got a tip that a local supplier gets a shipment today. Gonna hit them up and see if I can snag one today.

It isn't just windows, the whole supply and logistics chain is strained to high heaven. Port of LA/LB is hammered and shit is hung up in customs for 3-8 weeks longer than usual. NA manufacturing was for the most part down for 1-3 months and hasn't returned to 100% yet. Windows, HVAC, doors, are all impacted. Lumber at Lowes/HD is picked over in minutes of delivery from the DIY'ers which makes getting that last pick up to finish the job tough. Trucking is absolutely slammed due to everyone needing delivery and restrictions on certain state to state travel.

Hell, I'm waiting for my rain chain to clear customs so I can be done with my remodel, it's been 3 weeks now. Good thing it's still another month before California will get rain.

**Rideski** · 10-13-2020, 05:21 PM

Originally Posted by Foggy_Goggles

Random question - anyone have any recommendations for online retailers of Colorado suppliers of simple stocked size vinyl windows. I have a storage building and a sunroom on a cabin that I need to get done. My regular supplier is "6 weeks out" which probably means 8. I'd prefer not to go the Home Depot/Lowe's route.

Let me know if you want help bird dogging a couple places down here. Planning to do mine soon and wouldn’t mind the recon. Give me names and I’ll contact. Between i70 to 6th Ave and i25 to Kipling would be best. There’s a large old one on the South East corner of the mousetrap.

**dan_pdx** · 10-14-2020, 08:29 AM

Anyone in the PNW or other wet climates that has replaced an old tongue and groove porch floor?

My current porch flooring may be original to the house, which was built in 1913, and it's getting near the end of its life - there's enough soft spots and other dodgy areas that replacing rather than patching is the way to go. It's doug fir tongue and groove flooring, is painted, and is under a porch roof but gets a fair amount of rain blown in.

My options for replacement are new fir flooring, salvaged fir flooring, and tropical hardwood, and I think new fir flooring is looking like the best candidate. I'm leaning away from tropical hardwood because I think I could only get decking (not t&g), which requires a gap between boards; I'm worried about the joists getting damp and not being able to dry out. Salvaged fir flooring is a question mark for me because the pictures I've seen online make it look like the tongue and grooves get torn up when the flooring is removed and I'm not sure how that's going to impact installation and lifespan. I expect that new fir flooring is going to be loose grained and not as durable as the original flooring, but it seems like the best choice.

Assuming I reinstall fir, it will be primed on all sides before installation and painted on exposed surfaces after installation.

Any thoughts or recommendations on the material to use or anything else I should be thinking about?

**::: :::** · 10-14-2020, 09:34 AM

Originally Posted by dan_pdx

Anyone in the PNW or other wet climates that has replaced an old tongue and groove porch floor?

My current porch flooring may be original to the house, which was built in 1913, and it's getting near the end of its life - there's enough soft spots and other dodgy areas that replacing rather than patching is the way to go. It's doug fir tongue and groove flooring, is painted, and is under a porch roof but gets a fair amount of rain blown in.

My options for replacement are new fir flooring, salvaged fir flooring, and tropical hardwood, and I think new fir flooring is looking like the best candidate. I'm leaning away from tropical hardwood because I think I could only get decking (not t&g), which requires a gap between boards; I'm worried about the joists getting damp and not being able to dry out. Salvaged fir flooring is a question mark for me because the pictures I've seen online make it look like the tongue and grooves get torn up when the flooring is removed and I'm not sure how that's going to impact installation and lifespan. I expect that new fir flooring is going to be loose grained and not as durable as the original flooring, but it seems like the best choice.

Assuming I reinstall fir, it will be primed on all sides before installation and painted on exposed surfaces after installation.

Any thoughts or recommendations on the material to use or anything else I should be thinking about?

Talk to the folks at McCoy & they can advise on the best install process for fir porch flrg

**RootSkier** · 10-14-2020, 09:58 AM

Originally Posted by BC13

We were planning on doing a tiled walk in shower so I figured, seemingly incorrectly, that adding the steam shower might "only" cost another 4k. The units are roughly $1500-$2000. Running a 220 line will be a huge PIA due to bathroom being on the very opposite end of house from the bathroom. Huge PIA probably = another $$. Sloping the ceiling inside the shower adds additional? Installing the unit? I can see how it really adds up.

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With a normal shower you don't need to worry about waterproofing the ceiling or the walls, or where the two meet. With a steam shower, the entire thing needs to be impeccably waterproofed, which is likely why your guy is spooked, because tile is nowhere close to waterproof. Though with the excellent Kerdi/Wedi/etc. waterpoorfing products these days, it sure seems like it would be easier than it used to be to be.

**schindlerpiste** · 10-14-2020, 01:09 PM

I am in the middle of re-doing a bathroom. Here's a pic. We still have a lot to do (glass, paint, etc.). We did tile for a potential steam, but will not place a steam unit at this time. Way too many potential problems. While, I would like a steam, we chose to install a nice infra red sauna. It has many similar benefits, but not nearly the same hassles.

Click image for larger version.

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Sorry for the sideways photo

**Timberridge** · 10-14-2020, 01:22 PM

Covid project...I'm doing a reno of one of the showers in our house, 4'X6'--the existing sink, toilet, etc. all stays. I went out and got quotes just for shower--they came back @$17-20K or ~$800+/sq ft...even before the gold plated fixtures were costed. I told them all to go fuck off and I'm doing it myself. Butchers wanted to run PEX all over the place. I'm a whiz at soldering copper so I did all my own plumbing with the real thing. Every contractor is quoting sky high prices right now. Good for them if people will pay it.

**zion zig zag** · 10-14-2020, 03:01 PM

The house I just bought has a steam shower. You guys are making me nervous.

**tgapp** · 10-14-2020, 03:25 PM

any slc area mags have a recommendation on someone to do some concrete work? i need my front steps either ripped out and replaced (or replaced with something other than concrete) or seriously fixed up. it's pretty bad. i can take pictures if it would be helpful, but it looks like the previous owner fixed up some 50+ old concrete with some cheap ass bags and a bucket, and it's falling apart before our eyes.

not sure if this counts as a home remodel, so apologies in advance, but thank you for your help and advice.

**Rideski** · 10-14-2020, 03:45 PM

What’s with insurance companies needing to complete a profile with mother maiden name before giving some ideas of what a business coverage might cost? Fuck. Anyone want to throw out a ballpark? Curious what liability coverage might cost me for a small time tree biz. Are there tiers like if I’m only cutting trees that weigh 200 pounds or less and 25 feet or less, or is it just a tree company and one bracket? It would be pretty hard to do more damage than a broken fence picket or window. Not going to be caving in any roofs. Not sure it’s even worth the insurance game, just pay for something if I fuck up might be less than premiums. Some homeowners want to know you have insurance though so I’ve lost a couple gigs.