The Home Improvement Thread

[opendoor]

If you're including the counter/sinks/faucets, $1,200 is a pretty tall order for anything but bottom of the barrel. There might be an IKEA option that would get you there.

I just did an IKEA Ängsjön vanity in a spare bathroom at my place. It looks OK and is fine for what it is, but not the highest quality. But a 72" one of those (two 36" ones, really) would be about $700 plus the counter and sinks. This is the basic idea, though obviously a 72" one would be longer:

Spoiler!

[DoubleF]

Originally Posted by topfiverecords

I've run into situations where shaving off a few hundred bucks to a few thousand bucks meant I had to be reminded that the end result wasn't satisfactory for almost a decade. I'm not repeating that mistake and I assume others might not want to either. Paying 5-10x times that savings for the peace and quiet and satisfaction, I'd have done that easily.

Originally Posted by CorsiHockeyLeague

yes, 6ft. I guess it doesn't HAVE to be a single piece but that looks nicest. I will no doubt have other mirrors, possibly in the bedrooms, but the vanity and mirror are essentially separate anyway. Basically thinking something like this.




Correct, just south of 2K seems to be the sweet spot for buying them new and getting a decent quality one. I am hoping to get something like that but at a discount, so I'm only paying ~1200ish

No separate standing shower in the bathroom, just a 6 foot tub with built in shower head. But I can put a mirror on the linen closet or whatever. The issue isn't the mirror, it's that I want the vanity itself for bathroom storage and just as bathroom furniture. It's a large bathroom; 10'x14' (although it will also have the washer and dryer and laundry and linen storage in there also).

Like... What I can't fully understand is why for instance there's way to get mirrors like this for <$600, but as you mentioned, many are like $2K+. There's a bunch of options in Amazon. Wayfair didn't have any and neither did my quick glance at Home Depot. The word "vanity" seems to command a ridiculous premium.

https://www.amazon.ca/SHUAFA-Bathroom-High-Density-Shatter-Proof-Brightness/dp/B0BTSMK61P?crid=2T03JVL5FRGP9&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.Van JkUYTUQjbHWttYJ6R8RfgaUjhhxJoItMFYOj2E35eReMuraAJv yTAx4kekhlIdkcNZU9h3vllxW28zmkLnQO8Rvz6dH4XxZvKSwW 9nfsCAxeuA77ACo1vj6-8K49gXdKnGk6Nrc_AaW_Qb4gDR2CRykdLoaZG_qgtgIJL1uR6p ZHW6Sy0fiSJpb3Su_iv2QXfuTmpilJy1AZgY5KwmriqKwcpuMR InaKAcMVJdWJ1p13u_Nk1Bw7MUFqETJglCyd6HoWAfD3DPY-RRUYBdeEj8RmWDehU09nTgoVWukTNlRy-TpODoG737cG0qs7yZQ-Ew0DIoxaJYHdF3LpCV7FvDQvqbNJZsLGnd26ekxZEEf1gybf3i 9rLY5CVorr3pI10zjo_W2QTwOPWgw-CbmUuXrX9QuD-fmy3wz-K83kYzParvtImU6PlB3kq3ima.ftLu20OK_z-cf_G13UF-CdImIjM11_hhjPQ0p-wP5I4&dib_tag=se&keywords=mirror%2B72"&qid=1739397 587&sprefix=mirror%2B72%2B%2Caps%2C152&sr=8-6&th=1

IMO $1200 probably should have been more than enough for a 6ft mirror, so I too was blown away by some of those prices at quick glance. I almost feel like with the correct planning, you should be able to easily get that storage, vanity and perhaps even something a tall mirror? Agreed measurement is crucial, but install is crucial too. A few inches off can really change the feeling you get going into the bathroom. I remember doing a lot of stuff where I'd use different colored painter's tape to envision the look/size and spacing prior to giving certain instructions to the contractor. I learned my lesson from an earlier contractor who literally had blueprints and basically ignored it half the time.

Your comment about vanity storage wise, what do you mean? My first thought is medicine cabinet like. Something like this, but I don't know if those lines and the weird wiring look like terrible to you (because I personally don't like it).

https://www.wayfair.ca/home-improvem...110450787.html

Something like this seems like a better implementation, but it is too small and the wiring still bugs me.

https://www.wayfair.ca/home-improvem...110731038.html

You did mentioned you prefer the whole 6 ft as it looks nicest. It's just with storage, so I just personally can't visualize how that idea would work with it still being a single mirror. I certainly do believe some form of a customized option vs a buy and install option might work best.

If it were me... maybe my first idea might be to mount a mirror door with a barn door type installation? Allows you to close the linen closet or washer/dryer while giving that large mirror? 1 piece 6ft mirror wise, I'm looking at those Amazon ones to see what I could do with it.

Vanity storage is the part I'm unsure of. A crazier idea might be to just install in wall shelving behind the mirror, and then have some component that allows the mirror (ie: ie gas spring hinges) that allow the mirror to lift up from flush against the wall to about 90 degrees out? But the idea seems odd to me because I can't envision that type of storage being very practical to use regularly. It's more like akin to a hidden safe type of thing where you can hide valuables and other things that I'd only use it occasionally, not daily. Maybe even things like boxes and paper I want to keep for certain other things I use daily (ie: watch boxes). People probably wouldn't think a 6 ft mirror can move. Idea is a bit crazy though.

Other vanity storage (ignoring countertop and cabinet) might be to mount it on the mirror? But IMO it wouldn't look that great and might look cluttered.

For $2K, I'd explore crazier ideas long before I bought a single unit to install into the wall. I'd probably be around the same ballpark as you for the vanity and expecting everything I want at that price point too.

[Torture]

Originally Posted by Wormius

On that side of the house I have heard weird “thunk” sound coming from up in the attic.

So I am wondering then, what kind of specialist do I need to look at it?

We had some insulation blown in there a couple of years ago to top up the rock wool or whatever it was. There is definitely nothing lining the interior of the roof, just the bare plywood.

Yeah, that doesn't sound good. There typically should be a vapour barrier underneath the insulation.
If you need one - it is possible to suck up the blown insulation, put down a vapour barrier, then blow back in.

[topfiverecords]

Originally Posted by DoubleF

I've run into situations where shaving off a few hundred bucks to a few thousand bucks meant I had to be reminded that the end result wasn't satisfactory for almost a decade. I'm not repeating that mistake and I assume others might not want to either. Paying 5-10x times that savings for the peace and quiet and satisfaction, I'd have done that easily.



Like... What I can't fully understand is why for instance there's way to get mirrors like this for <$600, but as you mentioned, many are like $2K+. There's a bunch of options in Amazon. Wayfair didn't have any and neither did my quick glance at Home Depot. The word "vanity" seems to command a ridiculous premium.

https://www.amazon.ca/SHUAFA-Bathroom-High-Density-Shatter-Proof-Brightness/dp/B0BTSMK61P?crid=2T03JVL5FRGP9&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.Van JkUYTUQjbHWttYJ6R8RfgaUjhhxJoItMFYOj2E35eReMuraAJv yTAx4kekhlIdkcNZU9h3vllxW28zmkLnQO8Rvz6dH4XxZvKSwW 9nfsCAxeuA77ACo1vj6-8K49gXdKnGk6Nrc_AaW_Qb4gDR2CRykdLoaZG_qgtgIJL1uR6p ZHW6Sy0fiSJpb3Su_iv2QXfuTmpilJy1AZgY5KwmriqKwcpuMR InaKAcMVJdWJ1p13u_Nk1Bw7MUFqETJglCyd6HoWAfD3DPY-RRUYBdeEj8RmWDehU09nTgoVWukTNlRy-TpODoG737cG0qs7yZQ-Ew0DIoxaJYHdF3LpCV7FvDQvqbNJZsLGnd26ekxZEEf1gybf3i 9rLY5CVorr3pI10zjo_W2QTwOPWgw-CbmUuXrX9QuD-fmy3wz-K83kYzParvtImU6PlB3kq3ima.ftLu20OK_z-cf_G13UF-CdImIjM11_hhjPQ0p-wP5I4&dib_tag=se&keywords=mirror%2B72"&qid=1739397 587&sprefix=mirror%2B72%2B%2Caps%2C152&sr=8-6&th=1

IMO $1200 probably should have been more than enough for a 6ft mirror, so I too was blown away by some of those prices at quick glance. I almost feel like with the correct planning, you should be able to easily get that storage, vanity and perhaps even something a tall mirror? Agreed measurement is crucial, but install is crucial too. A few inches off can really change the feeling you get going into the bathroom. I remember doing a lot of stuff where I'd use different colored painter's tape to envision the look/size and spacing prior to giving certain instructions to the contractor. I learned my lesson from an earlier contractor who literally had blueprints and basically ignored it half the time.

Your comment about vanity storage wise, what do you mean? My first thought is medicine cabinet like. Something like this, but I don't know if those lines and the weird wiring look like terrible to you (because I personally don't like it).

https://www.wayfair.ca/home-improvem...110450787.html

Something like this seems like a better implementation, but it is too small and the wiring still bugs me.

https://www.wayfair.ca/home-improvem...110731038.html

You did mentioned you prefer the whole 6 ft as it looks nicest. It's just with storage, so I just personally can't visualize how that idea would work with it still being a single mirror. I certainly do believe some form of a customized option vs a buy and install option might work best.

If it were me... maybe my first idea might be to mount a mirror door with a barn door type installation? Allows you to close the linen closet or washer/dryer while giving that large mirror? 1 piece 6ft mirror wise, I'm looking at those Amazon ones to see what I could do with it.

Vanity storage is the part I'm unsure of. A crazier idea might be to just install in wall shelving behind the mirror, and then have some component that allows the mirror (ie: ie gas spring hinges) that allow the mirror to lift up from flush against the wall to about 90 degrees out? But the idea seems odd to me because I can't envision that type of storage being very practical to use regularly. It's more like akin to a hidden safe type of thing where you can hide valuables and other things that I'd only use it occasionally, not daily. Maybe even things like boxes and paper I want to keep for certain other things I use daily (ie: watch boxes). People probably wouldn't think a 6 ft mirror can move. Idea is a bit crazy though.

Other vanity storage (ignoring countertop and cabinet) might be to mount it on the mirror? But IMO it wouldn't look that great and might look cluttered.

For $2K, I'd explore crazier ideas long before I bought a single unit to install into the wall. I'd probably be around the same ballpark as you for the vanity and expecting everything I want at that price point too.

A vanity is the cabinet that houses the sink(s) and has a countertop. You're on and on about mirrors.

[topfiverecords]

Originally Posted by Torture

Yeah, that doesn't sound good. There typically should be a vapour barrier underneath the insulation.
If you need one - it is possible to suck up the blown insulation, put down a vapour barrier, then blow back in.

Roof ≠ ceiling

[Wormius]

Originally Posted by Torture

Yeah, that doesn't sound good. There typically should be a vapour barrier underneath the insulation.
If you need one - it is possible to suck up the blown insulation, put down a vapour barrier, then blow back in.

Oh, there is barrier under the insulation in the attic. I just meant on the underside of the roof there is nothing. You just see the plywood and roofing nails protruding through.

[Wormius]

But in any event, what is the expert who deals with these kinds of home issues? I see way too many sketchy-looking ads when I search for “attic rain calgary”.

[Torture]

Originally Posted by Wormius

Oh, there is barrier under the insulation in the attic. I just meant on the underside of the roof there is nothing. You just see the plywood and roofing nails protruding through.

Oh, nm then.

I had a friend who is a building envelope nerd and works for an insulation company fix mine up. Knew he would do a good job when he sent me a 3 pg email about my attic hahaha. They primarily do commercial but did a residential job as a favour..... I can't even find a presence on the internet for the company he works at to send you to. Know what you mean about all the companies you google being sketch

[CorsiHockeyLeague]

Really starting to look like an actual house now that the roof is going on.

[PaperBagger'14]

Wait until you walk in and see all of the drywall up, that’s when that feeling used to hit me

[DoubleF]

Originally Posted by topfiverecords

A vanity is the cabinet that houses the sink(s) and has a countertop. You're on and on about mirrors.

GA ha ha ha ha!!! ####!

Good call.

[CorsiHockeyLeague]

Oh now I get it. I thought we were talking about the same thing because sometimes they have mirrors attached to them.

[Fuzz]

LOL, I had guessed that was going on, but it was more fun to watch it play out.

[Shazam]

Originally Posted by Wormius

Oh, there is barrier under the insulation in the attic. I just meant on the underside of the roof there is nothing. You just see the plywood and roofing nails protruding through.

That is correct.

If you can get into your attic, I would get some VB tape, a fireproof foam spray can and go up there (wear an N95 mask, and make sure you fit test it, along with other PPE) and seal up any holes. I had a gigantic hole where they ran a bunch of a electrical, there was so much air going through, it whistled. Plugged that one right up. Sealed up the bathroom fans. Found quite a few other smaller holes. Made a huge difference. Then I got a some people to blow in insulation to R70.

Oh yeah I also sealed the attic hatch. The guys that did the attic insulation also gave me a piece of R40 pink batt to place on top of the hatch since you can't top it up as much with blown in.

[topfiverecords]

Originally Posted by Wormius

Oh, there is barrier under the insulation in the attic. I just meant on the underside of the roof there is nothing. You just see the plywood and roofing nails protruding through.

This is what you want to see.

Originally Posted by Wormius

But in any event, what is the expert who deals with these kinds of home issues? I see way too many sketchy-looking ads when I search for “attic rain calgary”.

I fear the days of finding someone trustworthy for work that doesn’t fall under the main common contractor categories by general search is over and now the reliance is on luck that you know someone else that had your same issue and was able to get someone to fix it that they can refer.

[topfiverecords]

Originally Posted by CorsiHockeyLeague

yes, 6ft. I guess it doesn't HAVE to be a single piece but that looks nicest. I will no doubt have other mirrors, possibly in the bedrooms, but the vanity and mirror are essentially separate anyway. Basically thinking something like this.




Correct, just south of 2K seems to be the sweet spot for buying them new and getting a decent quality one. I am hoping to get something like that but at a discount, so I'm only paying ~1200ish

No separate standing shower in the bathroom, just a 6 foot tub with built in shower head. But I can put a mirror on the linen closet or whatever. The issue isn't the mirror, it's that I want the vanity itself for bathroom storage and just as bathroom furniture. It's a large bathroom; 10'x14' (although it will also have the washer and dryer and laundry and linen storage in there also).

You could take a chance on Wayfair that the one you select out of the 60,000 that it shows you is decent when it arrives.

[photon]

I thought I won Wayfair roulette once with an occasional table that turned out to be not half bad.

Until after about a week I heard a loud snap while sitting at my desk.. followed by a few more. Close inspection showed the wood of the table splitting itself as it dried out.

Got a replacement, exact same thing.

Manufactured in a jungle apparently.

[Bill Bumface]

Originally Posted by PaperBagger'14

Wait until you walk in and see all of the drywall up, that’s when that feeling used to hit me

Agreed.

And then the next thing that hits you is that somehow you're only about 60% of the way through your total build timeline.

[CorsiHockeyLeague]

^That's probably true but it's largely because I'm going to do a bunch of the stuff post-drywall myself, like painting and cabinets and appliances, etc.

Originally Posted by topfiverecords

You could take a chance on Wayfair that the one you select out of the 60,000 that it shows you is decent when it arrives.

I actually have won the wayfair lottery more than I deserve to. I got a hutch that is really excellent but had a shelf broken during shipping, so I asked for a new shelf, and they sent me an entire second hutch. Best deal I've ever gotten on a piece of furniture. Also had a bookcase that was kinda junk and had a bit of damage to one shelf, but when I went to return it they just said "keep it, we'll refund you", and a rug that was mispriced to like 97% off that I've had in my living room for about 6 years.

Those were early days, though, before they were established. I just don't trust them now... That vanity I just posted a photo of is on Wayfair for $1780, marked down from $3785 with great reviews - 53% off, what a screaming deal!

... Wait, it's also $1780 at Home Depot, regular price.

There's really no way to determine what you're getting and I'm just not willing to take a chance at this point.

[DoubleF]

Originally Posted by Fuzz

LOL, I had guessed that was going on, but it was more fun to watch it play out.

In your position, I'd have done the same. Always fun to watch something burn down.

IDK why I read vanity and just latched on the sole component of the vanity mirror. Maybe in the back of my mind, I was in disbelief the budget would work on the whole thing or something. lol.

Originally Posted by CorsiHockeyLeague

Oh now I get it. I thought we were talking about the same thing because sometimes they have mirrors attached to them.

My bad lol.

I was thinking about it last night and for around $1200-1500 all in for a pretty large sized vanity (all components, not just mirror, lol)... I think the only way to do that nicely is to basically get really lucky on some clearance, open box or custom work. If the components can basically be broken down to mirror, taps/sink, countertop and cabinet, that means at $1200, each section has a budget of $300. $1200 isn't too challenging if you're doing a small 3-4ft bathroom vanity, but a 6 ft one which is essentially double, is probably why you were constantly hitting that $2000-2500 price range in your initial investigation. At the $1200 budget, I think you're making cuts in all categories of the vanity. There's no wiggle room to take the budget from one category to avoid compromising in another category. It's just straight reductions to get the budget to work.

Whether you buy something of prebuilt components, or custom build something within your budget really depends on luck. I personally did the custom with getting a cabinet refurbished to put on a stone counter top (ie: cheaper leftover bits from the supplier that I got on insane discount for the guys who did my stone kitchen counters).

A 6 ft vanity counter top with a squeeze budget is probably around $600, but then you might save on the sinks.
https://www.homedepot.ca/product/mag...db-/1001331654

$600 for the cabinet portion and tap(s) is a bit of a challenge with zero budget left for mirrors. Plus the style options on prebuilt vanity counter top and cabinet components might not fully meet your criteria.

Custom wise, it might be possible to investigate adding in an extra cabinet and odds and ends stone countertop piece from whoever is supplying the other cabinets and countertops in the house. See if there's volume savings for adding to what they're already supplying as well as delivery/install savings. I got a 8-9ft ish piano key shaped stone countertop for like $250. I was glad for the savings, the stone guys were glad to use up an odds and end piece for an install they were already doing, but we both had to be lucky that there was something they wanted to just get rid of and it was also a style I actually wanted.

If somehow you were able to get the cabinet and countertop for an average of $400-450 ish each, then you have $300-400 for sinks/tap and mirrors. It's still a bit of a stretch, but I'd personally be happier with this because I probably wouldn't be compromising on cabinet and countertop and downgraded tap/sink/mirrors are easier to upgrade later on.

I would caution about cutting corners too deeply on the vanity since it's something used on a daily basis. I've made this mistake before. The cost to redo is substantially more than the savings, not including inconvenience. In hindsight, it wasn't worth it. $1500-1800 budget might be a much better target to aim for if you don't want to spend the $2K+.

Not mentioned, earlier, but if you want a clean looking vanity area, make sure there's a back splash or the water, hair, dust etc. will get annoying really fast.