Updating shower fixtures

Openings are provided in for the showerhead, faucet and drain.

These may include integrated doors, an integrated curtain rod, or just a slot into which a rod may be inserted.

But with just a little care, these fixtures will provide good service for many years.

In most cases, an integrated tub/shower unit is the least expensive shower option.

At about the same price as a hot tub, steam showers are an affordable luxury for many homeowners. They also usually contain the steam generating unit which otherwise has to be hidden in a wall or under a cabinet.

Limited choices in styles and colors, however, do not fit every bathroom style.

Many now include cast-in seats and shelves that provide a place for shampoo and body wash, as well as backing for grab bars.

An increasing number incorporate a fungicide in their composition that retards mold and mildew.

ABC offers fiberglass repairs, cultured marble and porcelain repairs.

As anyone who has ever been to a steam room can attest, steam may be the ultimate environment for complete relaxation.

New products make the option of a steam bath right in the shower easy. This are almost always an acrylic unit carefully sealed to keep the steam in, a good idea unless you want to turn the whole house into a steam room — and deal with a lot of moisture-related problems.

To complete the home spa experience, consider adding steam to your shower.

Steam has a way of slowing you down, and it promotes breathing and relaxation.