|
April 2007
Dear Divas,
Tile? Vinyl? Wood? Laminate flooring? Marble or granite? Yikes, it's too much for my poor brain. What's the difference in a bathroom, except cost?Befuddled in Benicia
Della:
Don't be nervous, there's a floor or counter out there for you and at the right price. It's just a matter of choice. They all can be beautiful.
Tile and marble are some of the oldest ways to build a hard surface. The ancient Greeks used marble and just about all European and New World cultures have made tiles since pre-Columbian times. Differences? Sure. Marble needs to be cared for gently and polished occasionally; granite is tougher and gives much the same feeling. Tile, depending on what it is made of, needs to be protected in some degree from hard knocks.
Tracy:
And if you're talking about wood, I'm a little leery of it on a well-used bathroom floor. But, with a solid and tough protective coat, wood works fine on counter if you wipe it dry after use. Laminate flooring, on the other hand, gives a wood look and works fine in a bathroom if it's sealed well and the floor is level.
Della:
That leaves vinyl. I love vinyl. Families can't do better in high-traffic areas than a good solid surface floor. And boy, are they getting more and more beautiful with dimensional designs. They're also warmer on the feet than tile - unless, of course, you're lucky enough to have put in a new tile heater system under your new tile floor. Heaven!
Dear Divas,
I just joined the "sandwich generation." My single dad broke his hip last month and doctors' say it's unlikely he will regain much leg stability. He's a "manly man," if you know what I mean, and refuses to move from his home of 50 years. I'll send my college-age son to live with him temporarily, but he won't be there 24 hours a day. Help!
Della:
I know you and your dad don't feel lucky right now, but there are positive aspects to this calamity. You live at a time where there are many more choices for redoing bathrooms (and kitchens) to be handicap-friendly. There are pre-made, roll-in showers and tubs, easy-transfer toilets, grab bars and even water-friendly shower chairs on wheels.
The costs can be kept down somewhat if you have handy friends or family members and some equipment may be covered by insurance or Medicare.
Tracy:
I'm an optimist by nature and hope that collectively you'll be able to make some changes in his home so that he can stay there. If he hasn't come home yet, talk to the discharge planner at the hospital or rehab center. They have a wealth of information about how and where to get equipment and consumer information. One caution that I speak about from experience. If your dad's home is little, as well as older, hallways and interior doorways may need to be enlarged so a wheelchair can get through them. Good luck to both of you.
|
