Home Remodeling & Construction Blog

All sorts of components and building materials come together in a bathroom renovation. From fixtures to paint, lighting and storage, every element of this important room requires planning and research. High quality, durable flooring is essential, and homeowners planning to tackle bathroom remodeling in Virginia need to know their options.

Traditional Bathroom Flooring Options

In terms of affordability and durability vinyl flooring remains the top option for bathroom renos. Vinyl comes in a wide range of colors and styles, often mimicking the more expensive types of flooring while providing optimum protection from moisture.

Vinyl is low maintenance and, when installed properly, can last a few decades without any major repairs. If the vinyl rips or gets damaged, replacement is straightforward and fairly inexpensive.

Ceramic or porcelain tiles are also commonly seen in the bathroom, providing an upscale look in several styles. Marble tiling can be carried across the floor and around the tub and shower for a classic Romanesque look. And both ceramic and porcelain come in nearly any color imaginable, with patterns, accent tiles and mosaics used to create a unique look in your new bathroom.

Modern Flooring Options for Bathroom Remodeling in Virginia

While vinyl and tiling remain solid and dependable options for your new bathroom floor, consider others that have made a mark in the home improvement industry. From eco friendly alternatives to natural stone and manufactured laminate, your options for bathroom flooring have expanded.

Cork flooring delivers comfort and durability, along with the reassurance that you’re making a green choice. Since cork is derived from the tree’s bark, the environmental impact of this product is minimal. But the longevity is out of this world! Cork tiles are nailed, glued down or installed as a floating floor (preferable for the bathroom) and when properly sealed this material will withstand heat and moisture as well as many other flooring materials.

Some laminates are also made for use in the bathroom. Where hardwood or engineered wood flooring may be risky in a room where water puddles happen every day, laminates offer a decent alternative. Floating above a high quality underlayment, laminates made to withstand wetness have a thick layer of sealant on top. You’ll still need to be quick about wiping up puddles, but high end laminate should last for years without issue.

Flooding or excessive water in the bathroom could seriously damage any organic flooring, resulting in rot, swelling or mold. Cork and laminate are both more expensive to replace than vinyl, but many vinyl floors will twist, warp and detach when exposed to excessive amounts of water or heat.

Natural stone tiles present a perfect solution. Unique and full of character, natural stone tiles are the ideal flooring upgrade for your new bathroom. Available in a wide range of sizes, types, colors and textures, your bathroom will look absolutely stunning with natural stone tiles on the floors. Many homeowners opt to install the same stones, or complementary stone tiles, around the tub and shower. Depending on the style chosen, stones can create a classic look, evoke a rustic style or make this room look ultra modern.

Talk to your contractor about the optimum type of flooring for bathroom remodeling in Virginia. Invest in high quality building materials all over the room to ensure your renovation adds value to your home and lifestyle.

Building projects of all different scopes, budgets and designs are subject to local standards. Virginia additions fit into that category, and those planning a home addition in Virginia will need to apply for and obtain a valid building permit from their local county office.

Why Building Permits Are Necessary

Although they may seem like just a paper trail or another expense to budget for, building permits play an important role in home renovations. The process and requirements are specific to your county, but the purpose behind permits is the same.

Simply put, building permits ensure that your home addition (and any other structural project) is built to code. The federally regulated building codes are formulated and put into practice in order to ensure safety and durability. Violating the building codes could quickly lead to injuries, and even fatalities.

This process is especially important for large-scale projects like Virginia additions, where several stages of construction include structural framing, electrical, plumbing and roofing – all presenting potential dangers to both homeowners and contractors.

Steps to the Building Permit Process

The Inspection Service division at your county office will review your project plans, looking at details such as floor joists, framing, plumbing and electrical design, materials specifications and loads. If all of those elements follow code, the drawings will be approved and a permit will be issued. Some counties issue temporary building permits for the duration of the project.

Inspections occur throughout the home renovation, at various intervals and covering different elements of the project. Electrical and plumbing inspections are important, as are structural inspections. All deficiencies recorded by the certified, professional inspectors must be addressed before the process can continue.

A final inspection is often scheduled, and all relevant paperwork is handed over to the homeowner. Most Virginia counties will deal with homeowners or contractors, and many place time limits on the permit application. Typically, work must start within six months of the application date and any breaks in the work must not stretch beyond a six-month period.

Obscure or Unusual Permits

Home additions require a standard building permit and, depending on the county, may also require a separate electrical permit. The location of your property, as well as the location and scope of your new addition, could require additional, more obscure permits.

Homes within the local flood plain or located in a buffer zone are subject to specific guidelines and building limitations. Also, if any element of your home addition involves the county’s right-of-way, an additional permit is required. Your contractor is familiar with these special circumstances and will likely take care of the additional applications. As the homeowner, you are responsible for the additional fees.

Building permits provide assurance and proof that your home improvement project meets federal building codes, as well as local standards. Professional contractors deal with permit applications on a regular basis and know the ropes when it comes to Virginia additions. Trust their knowledge, and trust in the county building permit system in place to ensure safety for all.