The study also concludes that remodelers can provide their clients with a precise estimate of how much bathrooms add to the value of their homes.The recently released data reveals that a half-bath adds approximately 10.5% to a suburban home’s value and a full bath adds about 20%.

The results also suggest that homeowners prefer a balance between the number of bedrooms and bathrooms. Adding an extra bathroom increases the home’s value by a higher percentage when there are more bedrooms than baths. In a home that has only one bathroom, an additional half bath will increase the value of a standard two bedroom home by 11.5%, a three bedroom home by 12% and a four bedroom by 12.5%. When the number of bathrooms is approximately equal to the number of bedrooms, an additional half bath adds about 10% of the home’s value and converting a half bath to a full bath adds another 9%. So, one additional bathroom adds about 19% to the value.

According to Paul Emrath, NAHB economist, “One way to interpret this is that when there is an excess of bedrooms over bathrooms, an additional bathroom makes the bedroom more valuable.”

BATHROOM DESIGN TIPS

If you’re planning to stay in your home long term, we would recommend considering these

design features when remodeling your bathroom. These inexpensive design tips provide ease in transitioning your bathroom when the need arises.

1. Hand-held shower with a 6′ hose. The shower is mounted on a vertical grab bar.

2. Grab bars around the entire bathroom (visually integrated as trim).

3. Install off-set shower faucet.

4. 3/4″ plywood reinforcement on all bathroom walls.

5. Pressure reducing mix valves.

6. Install a low profile shower curb.

7. Install a seat in the shower.

Most roofs can be traced back to a half a dozen or so basic designs. Each style has specific characteristics based on the time period it was built. Some homes may have combined more than one style. This may be intentional or a good indication that additional structures were added.

Flat Roof: These consist of a horizontal plane with a slight slope for drainage. You find these more on contemporary and modern homes.

Shed Roof: These consist of a half-gabled roof with a single slope. As with the flat roof, these are seen more in contemporary homes. Most of your simple room additions will have a shed roof on them.

Gable Roof: These are typically on ranch and colonial style homes. They have a front to back slope and meet at a center raised peak. Both right and left ends are shaped like triangles. Pitches vary greatly depending whether it has an attic or is used as living space.

Gambrel Roof: These are subtypes of the gabled roof, with two dual-pitched gables. The broken roof slope form two sets of planes on each side, with the outer plane much steeper in pitch. This is the one most people think looks like a barn, which is called Dutch colonial style.

Hipped Roof: These consist of four slopes down from a ridge to the eave overhangs. A rectangular ranch or colonial will have a trapezoid front and back and triangles on each end. The above Four Square has equal sections and a matching front porch.

Mansard Roof: This is a subtype of the hipped roof. These are four-sided, dual-pitched roofs with a steep lower slope and an almost flat top.

Saltbox Roof: These consist of two upper steep pitched, front to back planes, with an extension of the rear roof section. This would typically be over a first floor structure and at a lower pitch.

ILLUSTRATION: Rene Eisenbart

Customers today are looking at alternative materials to pressure-treated lumber. They see decking becoming more of a design element and not just something you walk on. Customers who are upgrading from wood are definitely doing more research on design options. There are three main components to consider when designing a sundeck: how it functions, what it looks like and what’s the total cost. Don’t let cost become the main factor. Consider how the deck works, people should be able to move around without too much congestion.

More clients are looking for different lighting options. Rail post lighting and stair riser lights are still the most popular are really help keep thing safe when the night sky’s roll in. Low voltage lighting works very well and can be a DIY project.

To help with the afternoon sun, a retractable awning, pergola or gazebo works very well. These things allow you to spend more time outside without getting too well done. Trellis’s work great, in combination with a pergola, to create a wonderful secluded alcove. Screened porches over the entrance to the house work well to keep the sun and rain off your guest. These can either be butted into a wall or tied into the existing roof line. Be careful with screened porches and gazebos so not to completely block the views from inside the house.

Railings can also be an issue when it comes to blocking interior views. There are a lot of choices now available for railing: vertical metal and vinyl, horizontal cables and glass panels. Most decorative rail material meets local building codes.

The final design element would be the decking layout. A long sundeck should be divided up into smaller sections using angled patterns. You can mix and match colors to create inlays and patterns. Just make sure things work together and you’ll continue to enjoy it for years to come.