Free shipping

Articles in: Bathroom

Meet the Material: Ceramic Tile

Posted by: on March 29th, 2013 | Make A Comment

 

Ceramic materials are some of the oldest manufacturing and art materials known to man. Some of the oldest human artifacts are pottery — a type of ceramic — produced some 27,000 years ago. That’s certainly a testament to the durability of the material.

Ceramic materials are used in all sorts of industrial and artistic settings, but the first ceramic material that might come to mind is the ceramic tile in your bathroom or kitchen.

And, as we can see in the image above of a wall covered in a beautiful ceramic tile by Merola, ceramic materials can be quite eye-catching as well as practical.

What are ceramics? Ceramics are non-metallic substances created through exposure to high heat and then cooling. When heated, these substances form crystalline structures at the molecular level, which make them rigid and strong.

What are some of the cool properties of ceramic? Ceramics can be molded into just about any shape you’d want, and after heating will remain rigid and durable. Ceramics can be good thermal and electrical insulators, and they don’t oxidize (rust). Add a glaze to ceramic tile, and it’s practically impervious to water. The glaze will also smooth out the surface to the point that teeny-tiny particles and microscopic critters such as bacteria don’t have much to hold on to. That’s why ceramics are used in places that need to be especially clean.

How is ceramic used? Let’s see … it’s rigid and durable. An electrical insulator. Doesn’t rust. Impervious to water. That sounds like a great material for the floors and walls of bathrooms and kitchens! That’s why ceramic tile is one of the most common uses of the material. Those same properties make ceramics good for dinner plates and other tableware. We are all familiar with ceramics as an artistic medium. And that’s not to mention the many high-tech uses, including semi-conductors, bio-medical implants, spark plugs, and even heat tiles on the Space Shuttles.

Take a look at how ceramic tile can be both beautiful and useful.

Read More

, , , ,

From the Forums: How to Choose a Bathroom Faucet

Posted by: on February 8th, 2013 | Make A Comment

 

A display of the common types of faucets to help understand how to choose a bathroom faucet

 

 

“I need to replace the sink faucet in the bathroom. When I measure it, it looks like 6 inches, but stock all says 4 inches. How do I measure so I know I have the right replacement faucet?”

That was the question that took MizViki to The Home Depot’s Community Forums for an answer. It turns out that knowing how to choose a bathroom faucet is a tricky issue for a lot of people looking to upgrade their bathrooms.

Home Depot associate Christine Sharry (SheCanDoIt22) was there with a clear explanation of the different types of faucets, their measurements and how to know which kind you need for your bathroom remodel.

Read More

, , , ,

Clean House: Use An Electric Toothbrush for Cleaning Bathrooms

Posted by: on October 20th, 2012 | Make A Comment

Use an electric toothbrush for bathroom cleaning

Q: When cleaning bathrooms, scrubbing the little crevices is one of my least favorite things on earth. What to do?

A: Grab a bathroom cleaner—any one will do, but this tactic is especially useful with a anti-bacterial micro-abrasive bathroom cleaner—and then pick up a cheap electric toothbrush at a dollar store. You can also use an old one that you’ve used a disinfectant or bleach to clean.

After wiping down the countertop, apply the cleaner directly to the toothbrush. Turn it on and let the whirring motion do the scrubbing for you. This works especially well around a bathroom sink and in other places where two surfaces come together.

Read more of our Clean House cleaning tips here on the Apron blog. And check out The Home Depot’s online Cleaning Supplies page for everything you need to keep your kitchen, bathroom and all of your household spic and span.

, ,

Clean House: How To Clean A Dirty Shower Head

Posted by: on October 6th, 2012 | One Comment

 

Clean a dirty shower head with white vinegar

Q: My shower head has lots of build-up—and it’s kind of gross. How do I clean it?

In most homes the shower head gets its fair share of use. Naturally, calcium and minerals will start to build up, especially if you’ve got lots of those elements in your local water supply. You may also get some rusty residue.

One solution is to soak the shower head in some acidic white vinegar, which will break down many of the elements that are clogging the flow. Just grab a Ziploc bag or a grocery bag and some rubber bands or hair ties. Fill up the bag with the vinegar, then place the shower head inside until it is fully immersed. Secure the bag with the band and allow it to sit for overnight or longer.

If you’ve got particularly “hard” water, you can also filter the shower, which many people say leads to softer hair and skin as well as a cleaner flow. If the build-up persists, you may want to consider swapping out the shower head for a new model. Check out our selection of shower heads.

Read more of our Clean House cleaning tips here on the Apron blog. And check out The Home Depot’s online Cleaning Supplies page for everything you need to keep your kitchen, bathroom and all of your household spic and span.

, , , , ,

Inspired: The Etoo Wall Light

Posted by: on September 25th, 2012 | 2 Comments

Inspired: The Etoo Wall Light

There are all sorts of contemporary home decor items on the market today, and while most of these pieces are beautiful, sleek fixtures and furniture pieces, you may not always know how to incorporate these modern styles into your existing decor. Or perhaps you have a very modern space, but you aren’t sure how to make it feel comfortable, warm, and homey.

In this inspiration board, we wanted to show how to warm up a modern bathroom. The Etoo wall light was the jumping off point for this space as it perfectly reflects contemporary style with its streamlined form and spherical shape. We also included a very contemporary freestanding bath tub, the Barclay cast iron tub with wooden feet, and a simple, sharp bathroom vanity with a marble top from Home Decorators Collection. These three items created the basis of this space. The next thing to do was jazz it up with colorful accessories and art. Here’s what we chose.

Read More

, , , ,

First Look: Flushing Stuff Down the American Standard Champion 4 Max Toilet

Posted by: on September 23rd, 2012 | Make A Comment

The American Standard Champion 4 Max Toilet has some amazing flush power, even though it only uses 1.28 gallons per flush.

To demonstrate the flushing power, Home Depot associate Steve Wiehe and American Standard’s Ken Keane put the Champion 4 Max through a variety of flushing tests. This included stuff that you wouldn’t normally flush down a toilet, but if someone were to do it, you’d just have to watch. We’re talking about a bucket of wiggly worms, marshmallows, children’s play toys and … 20 golf balls. You don’t want to miss this.

American Standard redesigned the rim of the Champion 4 Max so that once flushed, the toilet traps air within the rim, resulting in a much better cleaning on the side of the bowl. You can see this cleaning demonstration along with the golf ball demonstration in this week’s First Look video:

Our First Look series gives Apron Blog readers an inside look by highlighting some of the videos our store associates watch to learn about the new products and services available at The Home Depot.

, , , , , , , , , , , ,

Inspired: Sonoma Oak Ceramic Floor Tile

Posted by: on September 11th, 2012 | Make A Comment

Sonoma Oak Floor Tile Inspiration Board

Tile options have long come in any number of colors and patterns, but now we have new options for textured tile, too. Ceramic floor tile can now resemble the subtle texture and pattern of marble and even wood! We love the idea of tiling a bathroom in tiles that match the hardwoods you have running throughout the house. This can be especially effective in small homes where a single floor material can make the space seem larger and more fluid.

To give a bathroom an old-world feel, tile the floor in a dark wood color and texture, and even better, use an interesting tile pattern like a herringbone! Pair this with some vintage-style fixtures and soft blue tones, and you have a beautiful bath that feels updated but still appropriate for an older home.

That’s the focus of this bathroom inspiration board.

TOP ROW (LEFT TO RIGHT):

We love the soft color palette of these two garden scenes; this wall art provided the color inspiration for this whole space.

Read More

, , , , , , , , ,

YouTube Tuesday: Bathroom Tile Idea With Bold Stripes

Posted by: on September 4th, 2012 | Make A Comment

 

Bold stripes are a popular trend in home décor. Whether painted on, wallpapered or tiled, bold stripes add a lot of visual appeal, and they can make rooms feel larger and walls appear taller. Adding stripes is a terrific bathroom tile idea.

In this how-to video, Home Depot associate Ruth will show you how to punch up the look of your bathroom using mosaic wall tiles to create a bold stripe accent wall. You’ll see how SimpleMat tile setting mat makes installing the 12 x 12 tile stripes super simple and easy. And with the tiles in place, you’ll be ready to grout, add pencil molding for a finished look, and clean and polish your newly installed tile with a sponge and cheese cloth.

You’ll also get painting tips and as well as a complete list of the tools and products needed to get started.

We have plenty more videos. Catch up with YouTube Tuesdays and Thursdays. 

, , , , , , , ,

Can You Spot the Stone Effects Countertop?

Posted by: on June 22nd, 2012 | 13 Comments

A Stone Effects vanity

 

If you were asked to identify which of two substances was a piece of stone, and which was a piece of plastic, you’d put money on guessing correctly, wouldn’t you? What about the new alternative to traditional granite, Stone Effects? We’re willing to bet you can’t tell the difference.  (Take the quiz below to find out.)

Stone Effects is a line of vanity tops created made by St. Paul Home Products. It uses a new photo-fusion technology to create stone patterns and textures on the materials that have the classy feel of quartz or granite. But it’s 25 to 45 percent cheaper than granite or quartz.

Stone Effects vanity tops have some other real advantages, too. Traditional granite is porous and absorbs liquids and other materials easily. This means it may need to be sealed every six months to avoid staining. The Stone Effects line includes Diamond Shield, a countertop material that isn’t porous. It stands up to spills, and also resists the mold and mildew that can be a problem in a bathroom. Considering all of the mouthwash, nail polish remover and cleaners that come into the equation in a bathroom, the new approach makes a whole lot of sense.

The porous nature of most granite vanity tops also means that they require a special cleaner. Stone Effects can be used with a regular multi-purpose cleaner and will come out smooth and shiny.

Take the quiz below to see if you can spot the stone versus Stone Effects. Stone Effects tops are available in a variety of colors and textures. Explore the look at home by ordering a 4-inch chip sample of Stone Effects for just $8 on homedepot.com. (These are not available in stores.)

 

Guess which sample is stone and which is Stone Effects

, , , ,

Inspired: The Pegasus Versailles Console Sink

Posted by: on June 5th, 2012 | Make A Comment

Vintage-inspired bathroom with console sink

 

Vintage-inspired fixtures and Old World flair are taking the spotlight these days on the design and décor stage. One style of vintage bathroom fixture that isn’t a typical choice for most homeowners, but which very much reflects a vintage aesthetic is the console sink. A console sink is typically made out china, blending the sink with legs. Console sinks are usually wall-mounted and leave the plumbing fixtures exposed. Today, you can also find them with a metal frame and topped with a countertop made of marble. The Pegasus Versailles Console Sink was the starting for this inspiration board.

TOP ROW (LEFT TO RIGHT):

To speak to the old-world charm of the console sink, we decided to bring sepia-toned photographs of France into the space. The sepia color, with splashes of subtle pastels, complements the putty-colored wall color. These photographs were taken by Irene Suchocki.

Read More

, , , ,
  1. More Pages:
  2. 1
  3. 2
  4. 3
  5. 4