Whether you’re in a historic bungalow in Virginia-Highland or a modern family home in Alpharetta, a bathroom remodel is one of the best ways to add value and a touch of luxury to your daily life. But if you’ve started talking to contractors or researching your dream aesthetic, you might feel like you’re suddenly learning a second language.
At Norm Hughes Homes, we’ve got decades of experience helping Metro Atlanta homeowners navigate the renovation process. We believe a stress-free remodel starts with clear communication. To help you feel like a pro during your next design consultation, we’ve put together an essential guide of bathroom remodel terms.
The Basics: Layout & Structure
1. Footprint: The existing floor area of your bathroom. If you’re keeping the “same footprint,” you aren’t moving any walls or changing the layout significantly.
2. Rough-In: The stage when plumbing, electrical, and mechanical lines are installed but not yet connected to fixtures. It’s what happens “behind the walls.”
3. Wet Room: A trendy design in modern homes where the shower and bathtub are located in a single, fully waterproofed area, often behind a single glass partition.
4. En Suite: A bathroom that is directly connected to a bedroom; most commonly found in a master suite.
5. Jack and Jill: A bathroom with two doors, typically shared by two separate bedrooms. It’s a space-saving classic for busy families!
Showers & Tubs
6. Curbless Shower: A shower with no threshold to step over. It provides a sleek, seamless look and is essential for ADA-compliant or accessible bathrooms.
7. Alcove Tub: The most common tub type, installed against three walls. Great for saving space!
8. Freestanding Tub: A bathtub that stands alone on the floor, often serving as an eye-catching focal point in a luxury master bath.
9. Frameless Shower Door: This fixture uses thick, tempered glass doors that don’t require a metal frame. They make smaller bathrooms feel significantly larger and more open.
10. Rain Showerhead: A popular feature in many bathroom remodels, this large ceiling-mounted (or wall-extended) showerhead mimics the feel of natural rainfall.
Vanities & Surface
11. Floating Vanity: A wall-mounted vanity that doesn’t touch the floor. It creates a more modern, airy feel and makes cleaning the floor a breeze!
12. Vessel Sink: A basin that sits on top of the counter, rather than inside it. Think of it like a decorative bowl on your vanity.
13. Undermount Sink: A sink installed underneath the countertop for a seamless look. It’s also the easiest type of sink to keep clean!
14. Backsplash: The material, usually tile or stone, installed on the wall behind the sink to protect it from water damage. It’s also a great place to accentuate your desired aesthetic.
15. Cultured Marble: A man-made mixture of resin and marble dust. It’s a more budget-friendly alternative to solid natural stone.
Finishing Touches & Safety
16. GFCI Outlet: The Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter is a safety outlet with the “reset” buttons required in a wet area to prevent electrical shock.
17. Grout vs. Caulk: Grout fills the spaces in between tiles, while caulk is a flexible sealant used where two different surfaces meet (like where the tub meets the wall) to prevent leaks.
18. Large Format Tile: These are tiles that are 12×24 inches or larger. They require fewer grout lines, giving your bathroom a cleaner, more contemporary look.
19. Recessed Lighting: Also known as “can lights,” these are installed into the ceiling to provide a streamlined look without hanging fixtures.
20. Niche: A built-in shelf recessed into the shower wall to hold your shampoos and soaps. It’s a small detail that can make a huge functional difference!
Ready to Start Your Metro Atlanta Bathroom Remodel?
Knowing the lingo is the first step toward the bathroom remodel of your dreams. Whether you’re looking for a simple fixture update or a total spa transformation, Norm Hughes Homes is here to help.
Contact us today for a free consultation, and let’s turn your vision into a reality!
