Here we have your typically small sized Milwaukee bath. What isn't typical (or at least acceptable) is the awful shape it's in. The window is old and leaking, the tile is coming apart and covered with mildew, the walls are rotting... it's simply a disaster that has to go. Being a typical sized bath, those magazine spreads showing garage-sized, plush carpet spaces with sunken hot tubs can't apply here, but a little realistic planning and addressing of the structural concerns at hand can result in a much improved - and safer - bath space.

A closer shot of the window with some magnified details presents a better picture of what's going on. The close up of the buckled tile at the left shows that the tile grout has become completely invisible under a thick layer of mildew which no amount of Mr. Clean can save. This isn't poor cleanliness; a problem this bad indicates a more acute moisture issue in the area. The close up at the right where some tiles have broken free shows the rotten state of the walls beneath the window; this rot continues throughout the wall members in this area. Poor seals around the window, inappropriate wall board for a high humidity area, inappropriate ventilation; these are just a few of the factors which can contribute to such rot and must be addressed.

Time to start anew. We've torn out the old tile and wall board, taken out the rotten structural members from the wall, and removed the old, leaking window. A new wooden window frame and wall studs have been installed to replace the rotted components. You'll notice in the detail that we've placed an extra block against one of the studs beneath the window. This is advanced preparation for the installation of safety grab bars in the new bath area. That block will help to provide a sturdy, secure anchor position for one of the new bars.

Since this bath is located on an exterior wall, the cavities between the studs must be insulated. Faced insulation is placed and secured into each of the exterior wall cavities, however large or small. You can also get a better view of the new glass block window we've installed. The window is rated for high energy efficiency, and provides a venting panel for air circulation. (A bath exhaust fan is still recommended for maximum ventilation.) The glass block is obscured for privacy. When the installation is finished, the window will be properly cased and sealed inside and out.

After the insulation stage has been completed, we can start covering the walls. Traditional drywall is not appropriate for high humidity areas such as bath spaces; a more resilient wall board designed specifically for humid areas is required. As for this room's finished surface, we've foregone the old tile and grout method and are installing Romanite panels. These panels are much easier to maintain (no more agonizing over that soap scum caught in the grout) and make for an efficient, attractive finished surface for the bath area. After the panels are in place, the edges will be trimmed and the whole installation will be sealed as appropriate.

And here we have our finished project, much improved from our mildew-laden starting point. The new glass block window is not only much more efficient, but also allows for brighter light to enter the room. The easy-maintenance Romanite panels also brighten the room. As mentioned previously, safety grab bars have been installed, as well. These safety rails are a good idea during any bath renovation, regardless of the home occupant's age or health. As you can see, the old serrated steel pipes are no longer the rule; these safety rails blend perfectly with the rest of the room's decor while providing a safer, more secure environment. This home's new bath is now ready for use... and finally presentable to visitors, as well!