Redwood showers bathrooms with luxury

Bffi1?fiH.1kT:":.",ffi:

rooms are turning big profits for lumber merchants. Year after year, 7590 of the country's remodeling contractors reportthat bathroorns are a major part of their business, with over 3 million sold and installed annually.

Do-it-yourselfers are getting in on the act as well. Better Homes & Gardens magazine recently held a doit-yourself contest for its readers. The results showed wood as by far Qlv/o) the favorite material for d-i-y projects. After decks, bathroom remodeling was the most popular redwood project. The redwood projects in this contest had an average price tag of $9000.

Bathrooms are changing their style. They are now exercise rooms, spa rooms, dressing rooms. The materials and fixtures used to create these new environments reflect the room's new function as well as the proclivities of the new homeowner. In a recent Associated Press story,representatives from Kohler and American Standard confirmed that the general public is opting for extras such as whirlpool tubs, floor-to-ceiling mirrors and other luxury fittings. Custom tile, hydro-therapy tubs, skylights, creative lighting fixtures and quality wallcovering or paneling axe among the most popular materials used.

California redwood is a natural product for today's luxury bathrooms. Architectural grades, clear all heart, clear and B grade redwoods, combine beauty and performance making them ideal for applications that require stability, minimum shrinkage and fine joinery. Clear all heart redwood, with its natural decay and insect resistan@, is perfect for areas that are subject to moisture. Clear grade with splashes of creamcolored sapwood, creates a patterned, less formal appearance. TWo new, economical redwood products are B grade redwood and fingerjointed redwood.

The developmant of new superior finishes has made bathroom remodeling with redwood even more pr:rctical. Alkyd resin and polyurethane varnishes are available in flat, semi- gloss or glossy textures. Multiple coats of these finishes can withstand the scrubbing necessary in bathrooms, yet will leave the wood with its natural appearance.

Story at a Glance

Bathrooms adopt new image .. .tum big profits lor lumber merchants. wood favored by 75o/o redwood naturally adaptable to bath environment.