Hello!

We are in the very beginning stages of planning for some home
remodeling on a tight budget. I have come up with some preliminary
ideas that I ran past my husband who said, "I'm not sure that is
possible." So, I wanted to seek the advice, ideas and suggestions of
alt.homerepair experts on the following two ideas.

1) We have a tall staircase in our entryway right off the front door.
I love the look of stairs where the risers are painted white and the
treads are wood. Unfortunately, we have small children who have been
known to tumble downstairs on (rare) occasion so wood steps are not
safe for us. Right now the stairs are completely carpeted in plush
and have a "fuzzy" look to them. I would like to compromise and find
a brownish-colored berber carpet to just carpet the stair treads with
and then paint the risers white. Is this type of carpeting treatment
possible? We would hire a professional to do the carpeting for us.
Obviously, another choice is to finish the steps in wood/white and do
a carpet runner but we have heard that this type of stair treatment is
hard to maintain and it would leave some exposed wooden edges that
would be unsafe for our children in the event of a fall.

2) We have one of the world's most strangely-shaped master bathrooms
with angled corners and angled ceilings at each corner. The shower is
currently placed in one of these corners. The current shower was
designed so that the water controller is on the angled/lower parts of
the wall and the showerhead is on the angled ceiling. The shower is
fairly wide (57") so that most of the shower is in the taller parts of
the room. The most obvious remodel would be to replace the existing
custom shower with another custom shower with tile and glass doors.
In order to save money, however, and possibly get a lower maintenance
fiberglass shower wall, we are looking at various prefabricated
showers that would be smaller but could fit in the space. The big
problem, however, would be moving the plumbing from the side angled
wall, where it currently is, to the new shower space. The back wall
of the shower is an exterior wall and I understand there might be
limitations about moving the plumbing there. The only other option we
have come up with is to build some sort of cabinet between the prefab
shower and the angled wall that would disguise the plumbing being
moved. We are seeking any good suggestions about what to do here. We
want an elegant look and would love a smooth surface shower wall
(rather than tile) so it is easier to clean. But doing a completely
custom angled shower in something like Corian is probably out of our
budget.

3) Finally, one bonus question, in the same strangely shaped master
bath, I would love to add two small windows (one in the shower and one
above the toilet) to add light and allow us to enclose those spaces
attractively. My husband says way too expensive. True?

Thank you!

On Jan 16, 2:19*pm, Skivvy wrote:
Hello!

We are in the very beginning stages of planning for some home
remodeling on a tight budget. *I have come up with some preliminary
ideas that I ran past my husband who said, "I'm not sure that is
possible." *So, I wanted to seek the advice, ideas and suggestions of
alt.home.repair experts on the following two ideas.

1) We have a tall staircase in our entryway right off the front door.
I love the look of stairs where the risers are painted white and the
treads are wood. *Unfortunately, we have small children who have been
known to tumble downstairs on (rare) occasion so wood steps are not
safe for us. *Right now the stairs are completely carpeted in plush
and have a "fuzzy" look to them. *I would like to compromise and find
a brownish-colored berber carpet to just carpet the stair treads with
and then paint the risers white. *Is this type of carpeting treatment
possible? *We would hire a professional to do the carpeting for us.
Obviously, another choice is to finish the steps in wood/white and do
a carpet runner but we have heard that this type of stair treatment is
hard to maintain and it would leave some exposed wooden edges that
would be unsafe for our children in the event of a fall.

Yes, you can put carpet on just the treads. The maintenance for a
stair carpet runner or just carpeted tread would be the same. A lower
pile carpet - runner or just tread - would be safer than the thicker
carpet you have now. It might seem counter-intuitive, but people are
more likely to trip on thicker carpeting.

As far as the kids taking a tumble, any tumble down the stairs is a
bad thing. Someone could still break their neck on a carpeted set of
stairs regardless if there is a runner or the complete tread is
covered. I would not be too worried as kids tend to bounce more than
adults.

2) We have one of the world's most strangely-shaped master bathrooms
with angled corners and angled ceilings at each corner. *The shower is
currently placed in one of these corners. *The current shower was
designed so that the water controller is on the angled/lower parts of
the wall and the showerhead is on the angled ceiling. *The shower is
fairly wide (57") so that most of the shower is in the taller parts of
the room. *The most obvious remodel would be to replace the existing
custom shower with another custom shower with tile and glass doors.
In order to save money, however, and possibly get a lower maintenance
fiberglass shower wall, we are looking at various prefabricated
showers that would be smaller but could fit in the space. *The big
problem, however, would be moving the plumbing from the side angled
wall, where it currently is, to the new shower space. *The back wall
of the shower is an exterior wall and I understand there might be
limitations about moving the plumbing there. *The only other option we
have come up with is to build some sort of cabinet between the prefab
shower and the angled wall that would disguise the plumbing being
moved. *We are seeking any good suggestions about what to do here. *We
want an elegant look and would love a smooth surface shower wall
(rather than tile) so it is easier to clean. *But doing a completely
custom angled shower in something like Corian is probably out of our
budget.

3) Finally, one bonus question, in the same strangely shaped master
bath, I would love to add two small windows (one in the shower and one
above the toilet) to add light and allow us to enclose those spaces
attractively. *My husband says way too expensive. *True?

Post some pictures on one of the free hosting sites, and post the link
to the pictures back here so we can see what's what.

R

windows in showers is a royally bad idea. it causes leaks and rot.

can you add a skylight to the bathroom, or upgrade lightning

On 01/16/11 04:40 pm, RicodJour wrote:

We are in the very beginning stages of planning for some home
remodeling on a tight budget. I have come up with some preliminary
ideas that I ran past my husband who said, "I'm not sure that is
possible." So, I wanted to seek the advice, ideas and suggestions of
alt.home.repair experts on the following two ideas.

1) We have a tall staircase in our entryway right off the front door.
I love the look of stairs where the risers are painted white and the
treads are wood. Unfortunately, we have small children who have been
known to tumble downstairs on (rare) occasion so wood steps are not
safe for us. Right now the stairs are completely carpeted in plush
and have a "fuzzy" look to them. I would like to compromise and find
a brownish-colored berber carpet to just carpet the stair treads with
and then paint the risers white. Is this type of carpeting treatment
possible? We would hire a professional to do the carpeting for us.
Obviously, another choice is to finish the steps in wood/white and do
a carpet runner but we have heard that this type of stair treatment is
hard to maintain and it would leave some exposed wooden edges that
would be unsafe for our children in the event of a fall.

Yes, you can put carpet on just the treads. The maintenance for a
stair carpet runner or just carpeted tread would be the same. A lower
pile carpet - runner or just tread - would be safer than the thicker
carpet you have now. It might seem counter-intuitive, but people are
more likely to trip on thicker carpeting.

As far as the kids taking a tumble, any tumble down the stairs is a
bad thing. Someone could still break their neck on a carpeted set of
stairs regardless if there is a runner or the complete tread is
covered. I would not be too worried as kids tend to bounce more than
adults.

We have just started talking about redoing our stairs, which are now
carpeted. On investigation, I discovered that the carpeting is in the
form of separate pieces covering each tread and the riser below it.

OTOH, to disagree with your claim that "maintenance for a
stair carpet runner or just carpeted tread would be the same," a
runner secured by stair rods (are they still available?) could be
removed completely from time to time and vacuum cleaned.

Perce

On Jan 16, 6:53*pm, "Percival P. Cassidy" wrote:

We have just started talking about redoing our stairs, which are now
carpeted. On investigation, I discovered that the carpeting is in the
form of separate pieces covering each tread and the riser below it.

Carpet guys do that because they can use scraps and leave you with
bigger remnants.

OTOH, to disagree with your claim that "maintenance for a
stair carpet runner or just carpeted tread would be the same," a
runner secured by stair rods (are they still available?) could be
removed completely from time to time and vacuum cleaned.

True, but complete removal for cleaning would probably happen, what?,
once a year? The rods make typical daily cleaning much more
problematic. I do like the look of them, though.

R

On Jan 16, 5:53*pm, "Percival P. Cassidy" wrote:
On 01/16/11 04:40 pm, RicodJour wrote:





We are in the very beginning stages of planning for some home
remodeling on a tight budget. *I have come up with some preliminary
ideas that I ran past my husband who said, "I'm not sure that is
possible." *So, I wanted to seek the advice, ideas and suggestions of
alt.home.repair experts on the following two ideas.

1) We have a tall staircase in our entryway right off the front door.
I love the look of stairs where the risers are painted white and the
treads are wood. *Unfortunately, we have small children who have been
known to tumble downstairs on (rare) occasion so wood steps are not
safe for us. *Right now the stairs are completely carpeted in plush
and have a "fuzzy" look to them. *I would like to compromise and find
a brownish-colored berber carpet to just carpet the stair treads with
and then paint the risers white. *Is this type of carpeting treatment
possible? *We would hire a professional to do the carpeting for us.
Obviously, another choice is to finish the steps in wood/white and do
a carpet runner but we have heard that this type of stair treatment is
hard to maintain and it would leave some exposed wooden edges that
would be unsafe for our children in the event of a fall.
Yes, you can put carpet on just the treads. *The maintenance for a
stair carpet runner or just carpeted tread would be the same. *A lower
pile carpet - runner or just tread - would be safer than the thicker
carpet you have now. *It might seem counter-intuitive, but people are
more likely to trip on thicker carpeting.

As far as the kids taking a tumble, any tumble down the stairs is a
bad thing. *Someone could still break their neck on a carpeted set of
stairs regardless if there is a runner or the complete tread is
covered. *I would not be too worried as kids tend to bounce more than
adults.

We have just started talking about redoing our stairs, which are now
carpeted. On investigation, I discovered that the carpeting is in the
form of separate pieces covering each tread and the riser below it.

OTOH, to disagree with your claim that "maintenance for a
* stair carpet runner or just carpeted tread would be the same," a
runner secured by stair rods (are they still available?) could be
removed completely from time to time and vacuum cleaned.

Perce- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

Those pieces are separate to allow reversing the riser and tread
portions as the original tread surface wears.

On Jan 16, 10:34*pm, "hr(bob) "
wrote:
On Jan 16, 5:53*pm, "Percival P. Cassidy" wrote:

We have just started talking about redoing our stairs, which are now
carpeted. On investigation, I discovered that the carpeting is in the
form of separate pieces covering each tread and the riser below it.

Those pieces are separate to allow reversing the riser and tread
portions as the original tread surface wears.

A riser's around 7" tall, and a tread's around 11" deep. If you
pulled each piece and reversed it the worn area (the old nosing
location) would now be about 4" in from the nosing. The worn area
would be smack in the middle of the tread - a very visible location.
I suppose if the people were okay with denim patches on their pant
knees, then it makes some soft of sense...but not really. In
addition, if the carpet has a pattern, it would no longer match up
with the carpet at the top and/or bottom of the stairs.

The pieces are separate because you can use small pieces which are far
easier to install. A single piece of carpet covering the whole flight
would require you to cut a long narrow strip of carpet which would
almost assuredly increase wastage by a goodly factor.

R

On Jan 16, 10:42*pm, RicodJour wrote:
On Jan 16, 10:34*pm, "hr(bob) "
wrote:

On Jan 16, 5:53*pm, "Percival P. Cassidy" wrote:

We have just started talking about redoing our stairs, which are now
carpeted. On investigation, I discovered that the carpeting is in the
form of separate pieces covering each tread and the riser below it.

Those pieces are separate to allow reversing the riser and tread
portions as the original tread surface wears.

A riser's around 7" tall, and a tread's around 11" deep. *If you
pulled each piece and reversed it the worn area (the old nosing
location) would now be about 4" in from the nosing. *The worn area
would be smack in the middle of the tread - a very visible location.
I suppose if the people were okay with denim patches on their pant
knees, then it makes some soft of sense...but not really. *In
addition, if the carpet has a pattern, it would no longer match up
with the carpet at the top and/or bottom of the stairs.

The pieces are separate because you can use small pieces which are far
easier to install. *A single piece of carpet covering the whole flight
would require you to cut a long narrow strip of carpet which would
almost assuredly increase wastage by a goodly factor.

R

My installers folded up the riser portion of the carpet behind the
visible portion, so it is actually almost twice as long as the riser
height, and thus plenty large enough to be the new tread.

On Jan 17, 12:16*am, "hr(bob) "
wrote:
On Jan 16, 10:42*pm, RicodJour wrote:



On Jan 16, 10:34*pm, "hr(bob) "
wrote:

On Jan 16, 5:53*pm, "Percival P. Cassidy" wrote:

We have just started talking about redoing our stairs, which are now
carpeted. On investigation, I discovered that the carpeting is in the
form of separate pieces covering each tread and the riser below it.

Those pieces are separate to allow reversing the riser and tread
portions as the original tread surface wears.

A riser's around 7" tall, and a tread's around 11" deep. *If you
pulled each piece and reversed it the worn area (the old nosing
location) would now be about 4" in from the nosing. *The worn area
would be smack in the middle of the tread - a very visible location.
I suppose if the people were okay with denim patches on their pant
knees, then it makes some soft of sense...but not really. *In
addition, if the carpet has a pattern, it would no longer match up
with the carpet at the top and/or bottom of the stairs.

The pieces are separate because you can use small pieces which are far
easier to install. *A single piece of carpet covering the whole flight
would require you to cut a long narrow strip of carpet which would
almost assuredly increase wastage by a goodly factor.


My installers folded up the riser portion of the carpet behind the
visible portion, so it is actually almost twice as long as the riser
height, and thus plenty large enough to be the new tread.

Basically you are saying that they doubled the riser, stapled it tight
to the riser, which obviously required a tight crease at the bottom
(unless they went with that billowy upholstered stair riser look (I'm
making that up), were able to pull the carpet, somehow flatten out the
crease (huh?) and reinstall it. How could that possibly be cheaper
than just buying a bit more carpet in the first place and having
enough left over to redo the stairs? Pretty much all of the cost of
carpeting a stair is in the labor. Pulling small pieces and mucking
about with them to get them to look halfway presentable is a non-
starter.

This describes how stairs are typically carpeted and states the
lengths of each piece for a couple of different versions.
http://en.allexperts.com/q/Flooring-...ams-stairs.htm

There's no way that the creases would just decide to forget their
years of experience as creases and just decide to flatten out. That's
bad enough, but the real killer is that the 'method' you describe
ignores the carpet pile and that will greatly shorten the life of the
"new" pulled & replaced installation.
Third column, last paragraph on the first page.
http://books.google.com/books?id=HuM...ge &q&f=false

The final nail in the coffin for the doubled riser scenario - who
would want carpeted treads and risers when initially installed, and
then be okay with just carpeted treads? If they were okay with
carpeted treads, why not just carpet the treads in the first place?
If they just carpeted the treads there would be enough material left
over to redo the treads.

I can only think that you are joking or are describing something you'd
heard about.

R

On 1/17/2011 9:07 AM, RicodJour wrote:
On Jan 17, 12:16 am, "hr(bob)
wrote:
On Jan 16, 10:42 pm, wrote:



On Jan 16, 10:34 pm, "hr(bob)
wrote:

On Jan 16, 5:53 pm, "Percival P. wrote:

We have just started talking about redoing our stairs, which are now
carpeted. On investigation, I discovered that the carpeting is in the
form of separate pieces covering each tread and the riser below it.

Those pieces are separate to allow reversing the riser and tread
portions as the original tread surface wears.

A riser's around 7" tall, and a tread's around 11" deep. If you
pulled each piece and reversed it the worn area (the old nosing
location) would now be about 4" in from the nosing. The worn area
would be smack in the middle of the tread - a very visible location.
I suppose if the people were okay with denim patches on their pant
knees, then it makes some soft of sense...but not really. In
addition, if the carpet has a pattern, it would no longer match up
with the carpet at the top and/or bottom of the stairs.

The pieces are separate because you can use small pieces which are far
easier to install. A single piece of carpet covering the whole flight
would require you to cut a long narrow strip of carpet which would
almost assuredly increase wastage by a goodly factor.


My installers folded up the riser portion of the carpet behind the
visible portion, so it is actually almost twice as long as the riser
height, and thus plenty large enough to be the new tread.

Basically you are saying that they doubled the riser, stapled it tight
to the riser, which obviously required a tight crease at the bottom
(unless they went with that billowy upholstered stair riser look (I'm
making that up), were able to pull the carpet, somehow flatten out the
crease (huh?) and reinstall it. How could that possibly be cheaper
than just buying a bit more carpet in the first place and having
enough left over to redo the stairs? Pretty much all of the cost of
carpeting a stair is in the labor. Pulling small pieces and mucking
about with them to get them to look halfway presentable is a non-
starter.

This describes how stairs are typically carpeted and states the
lengths of each piece for a couple of different versions.
http://en.allexperts.com/q/Flooring-...ams-stairs.htm

There's no way that the creases would just decide to forget their
years of experience as creases and just decide to flatten out. That's
bad enough, but the real killer is that the 'method' you describe
ignores the carpet pile and that will greatly shorten the life of the
"new" pulled& replaced installation.
Third column, last paragraph on the first page.
http://books.google.com/books?id=HuM...ge &q&f=false

The final nail in the coffin for the doubled riser scenario - who
would want carpeted treads and risers when initially installed, and
then be okay with just carpeted treads? If they were okay with
carpeted treads, why not just carpet the treads in the first place?
If they just carpeted the treads there would be enough material left
over to redo the treads.

I can only think that you are joking or are describing something you'd
heard about.

R

Many years ago, I think it was on TOH, they described pretty much the
scenario she was talking about, with the bars on the bottom of each
riser. Of course, in that era, the carpet used on steps was NOT the same
as used in rooms. It was more like a hall runner, and much more
flexible, like a narrow Persian rug. And in the pre-vacuum-cleaner era,
the only way to get it clean was the pop the bars loose once or twice a
year, carry it outside, and beat it. I've never heard of being done with
nailed-down carpet, though.

Personally, I hate carpeted steps. Mistake people make with wood steps
is they finish them way too smooth and shiny. Leave a little grain
texture in the field of the tread, and don't use a gloss finish.
Otherwise, first time kids or older folks go up or down wearing socks,
they WILL fall on their ass.

--
aem sends...

In article
,
" wrote:

windows in showers is a royally bad idea. it causes leaks and rot.

Mine hasn't rotted in 32 years, and I wouldn't give up the natural light
or the view. It's a small louvered window, mounted at my eye level.

http://members.cox.net/prestwich/ahrsw.jpg

On Jan 17, 11:46*am, Smitty Two wrote:
In article
,

" wrote:
windows in showers is a royally bad idea. it causes leaks and rot.

Mine hasn't rotted in 32 years, and I wouldn't give up the natural light
or the view. It's a small louvered window, mounted at my eye level.

http://members.cox.net/prestwich/ahrsw.jpg

Nice view. Lose the reeds and you almost have a postcard.

R

On Jan 17, 10:54*am, RicodJour wrote:
On Jan 17, 11:46*am, Smitty Two wrote:

In article
,

" wrote:
windows in showers is a royally bad idea. it causes leaks and rot.

Mine hasn't rotted in 32 years, and I wouldn't give up the natural light
or the view. It's a small louvered window, mounted at my eye level.

http://members.cox.net/prestwich/ahrsw.jpg

Nice view. *Lose the reeds and you almost have a postcard.

R

Where is it? It looks almost like the view from an Italian or Frech
country house.

In article
,
"hr(bob) " wrote:

On Jan 17, 10:54*am, RicodJour wrote:
On Jan 17, 11:46*am, Smitty Two wrote:

In article
,

" wrote:
windows in showers is a royally bad idea. it causes leaks and rot.

Mine hasn't rotted in 32 years, and I wouldn't give up the natural light
or the view. It's a small louvered window, mounted at my eye level.

http://members.cox.net/prestwich/ahrsw.jpg

Nice view. *Lose the reeds and you almost have a postcard.

R

Where is it? It looks almost like the view from an Italian or Frech
country house.

santa barbara. The view from the kitchen window is less obstructed.

http://members.cox.net/prestwich/ahrsb.jpg

On Jan 18, 12:46*am, Smitty Two wrote:
In article
,
*"hr(bob) " wrote:



On Jan 17, 10:54 am, RicodJour wrote:
On Jan 17, 11:46 am, Smitty Two wrote:

In article
,

" wrote:
windows in showers is a royally bad idea. it causes leaks and rot..

Mine hasn't rotted in 32 years, and I wouldn't give up the natural light
or the view. It's a small louvered window, mounted at my eye level.

http://members.cox.net/prestwich/ahrsw.jpg

Nice view. Lose the reeds and you almost have a postcard.

R

Where is it? *It looks almost like the view from an Italian or Frech
country house.

santa barbara. The view from the kitchen window is less obstructed.

http://members.cox.net/prestwich/ahrsb.jpg

That's totally different - the view sucks and you should move.

Back in 1980 I rode my bicycle through your area. Coming into town I
drafted behind a Winnebago that was doing at least 50 coming down from
the mountains to the North. I nearly bought it on some of those bumpy
reflective lane markers. Good memories (though I nearly crapped my
pants) and a lovely area.

R

In article
,
RicodJour wrote:

On Jan 18, 12:46*am, Smitty Two wrote:
In article
,
*"hr(bob) " wrote:



On Jan 17, 10:54 am, RicodJour wrote:
On Jan 17, 11:46 am, Smitty Two wrote:

In article
,

" wrote:
windows in showers is a royally bad idea. it causes leaks and rot.

Mine hasn't rotted in 32 years, and I wouldn't give up the natural
light
or the view. It's a small louvered window, mounted at my eye level.

http://members.cox.net/prestwich/ahrsw.jpg

Nice view. Lose the reeds and you almost have a postcard.

R

Where is it? *It looks almost like the view from an Italian or Frech
country house.

santa barbara. The view from the kitchen window is less obstructed.

http://members.cox.net/prestwich/ahrsb.jpg

That's totally different - the view sucks and you should move.

Back in 1980 I rode my bicycle through your area. Coming into town I
drafted behind a Winnebago that was doing at least 50 coming down from
the mountains to the North. I nearly bought it on some of those bumpy
reflective lane markers. Good memories (though I nearly crapped my
pants) and a lovely area.

R

The weather is idyllic, and it's clean. In fact, dirt and other
unsightly things are illegal. But it's really just a coastal desert
that's been irrigated. Not really my definition of beautiful. I like
northern Wisconsin, where I'm from, or even northern California, much
better.