Posts Tagged ‘aging in place’
IMI is a Lead-Safe Certified Firm!
April 19th, 2010 | 
Author: IMI has fulfilled the new requirements of the Toxic Substance Control Act (TSCA). The EPA realized the growing concern about lead-based paints in homes and businesses and the real health hazard this situation poses for families and children.
In response to this concern, the EPA has established a new rule focused on renovation, repair and painting work. Beginning April 2010, all renovation, repair, and painting work done on structures built prior to 1978 are required to be done by an EPA certified firm, and a Certified Renovator from that firm must be on site during critical stages of the work.
IMI is excited that we have completed the EPA’s requirements, and if you would like to see our certificate you can view it here: IMI’s Certification. IMI is always committed to not only the highest standards in the manufacturing process, but also having the staff you need whether it is a General Contractor, a Certified-Aging-In-Place Specialist (CAPS), a Licensed Master Plumber or a Certified Renovator!
With IMI’s Gold Services program you can be assured that our cultured marble, cultured granite and SSP materials are members of the flourishing family of MasterCast Engineered Composites. Guided by industry quality control testing and standards since 1974, MasterCast™ is the product of choice for decorative and functional surfacing such as countertops, bathtubs, custom shower bases, shower/tub walls, and more.
If you are interested in seeing a video of how IMI can transform your bathroom, you can click here or here for our most recent YouTube videos!
If you would like to visit our showroom we would love to show it to you! We are open by appointment from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm, Monday through Friday. Call us and we would be happy to give you a tour. Our phone number is 770.928.2252. We look forward to hearing from you!
IMI’s Tile Shower to MasterCast Shower in One day!
Featuring removal of all tile, install custom shower base, new valve, MasterCast walls, valve trim and shower door.
If you would like to schedule a time to discuss your multi-family or single-family bathroom needs, we are open by appointment from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm, Monday through Friday. Call us and we would be happy to give you a tour. Our phone number is 770.928.2252. We look forward to hearing from you!
Posted in Design, YouTube Video | 
Tags: aging in place, bathroom remodeling cobb, cultured marble, international marble, remodeling trends | 
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Universal Design
Many residential contractors are embracing a universal design principle. The goal is simple: Create living spaces that accommodate all people – from the able-bodied to the elderly and physically handicapped–without the need for adaptation or specialized design. The concept is especially marketable to the Active Adult baby-boomer population. “We are seeing the need for universal design and its’ implementation is quickly becoming accepted as normal throughout the country. You can see it in all facets of the residential building industry, including single-family, multi-family, and remodeling.” says Joel A. Bump, CAPS, EPA-RRP Certified. “Smart developers are building spaces that can be used by a larger group of people for a larger period of time.” (Source: http://www.multifamilyexecutive.com/finishes-and-surfaces)
IMI understands both the consumer needs and the builder needs. We currently have a Certified Aging In-Place Specialist (CAPS), EPA-RRP Certification, General Contractor & Master Plumber Licenses, and an Engineer on staff. The knowledge that these individuals bring to the table makes IMI and our MasterCast Engineered Composite vanity tops, tubs, shower bases, and wall surrounds the perfect choice for all your bathroom designs!
If you would like to schedule a time to discuss your multi-family or single-family bathroom needs, we are open by appointment from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm, Monday through Friday. Call us and we would be happy to give you a tour. Our phone number is 770.928.2252. We look forward to hearing from you!
Posted in Design, Multi-family |
Tags: aging in place, builders, design trends, international marble, remodeling trends |
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IMI is headed to the Atlanta Home Show March 19th-21st.
In addition to IMI there will be over 300 participating companies offering you the latest home remodeling related products and services. IMI has products that can help whether you are buying or selling a home, adding an aging member of your family to the household, or if you are just looking to transform your bathroom!
The Spring Atlanta Home Show has been coming for 32 years! This year it is at the Cobb Galleria Centre. For more information on the hours and admission you can visit the website here.
Posted in Home Show |
Tags: aging in place, bathroom remodeling cobb, cultured marble, design trends, remodeling trends |
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Walk in tub rental or purchases, your choice!
Many of us have an aging parent or family member that we are trying to help with. Possibly, a handicapped member of your family needs help bathing. Sometimes it can be hard when you have limited capabilities to do even the most basic tasks, such as bathing yourself. There is a great solution out there for those with physical limitations, called a Walk In Bathtub. IMI is excited that we can offer these tubs, which can provide a wonderful way for your parent or physically challenged family member to keep their independence and enjoy the rejuvenating effects of a cleansing bath.
IMI actually has two options; you can purchase one or rent one. We have a special website set up here that gives you more information on the renting of a walk in tub. If you are interested in more information in the purchase or rental of one, you can call (678) 501-6010 and speak with Joel, our Certified Aging-In-Place Specialist (CAPS).
One great thing about Walk In Bathtubs is they’re standard size bathtubs, so they’ll fit in the same space your old bathtub occupied. What makes them so helpful for elderly or handicapped persons is that they have a door built into the side, so you can just walk in to the tub, rather than lifting your legs and hips to get in and out of the bathtub. Walk In Bathtubs also have non-slippery surfaces, so the common slip and fall bathing accidents and injuries can be avoided.
If you’ve been looking at options for your elderly or physically challenged parent or family member, Walk In Bathtubs provide a great solution. Walk In Bathtubs are easy to use, safe, and allow your loved ones to maintain their independence for the private task of bathing. IMI has a wide range of bath products that will meet all your bathroom needs. In addition to the walk in tubs we also offer, walk in showers, showers made with a wheelchair accessible ramp and corner seats for the shower that can be added to your existing shower.
Posted in Walk in Tubs |
Tags: aging in place, bathroom remodeling cobb, budget, IMI |
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Did you know IMI has custom shower bases and drains?
Int’l. Marble Industries, Inc. has a full range of products that will indulge your senses and provide the safety you need. You can choose a Tub to Shower Conversion that gives you more freedom and eliminates the need to step up and over the tub wall. Or, IMI can produce a custom shower base with the “ACHIEVE” Easy Access Ramp, which eliminates the curb and allows for No Barrier access. And, the IMI shower bases and ramp are both ADA rated for slip resistance.
We understand that many times when you are remodeling your bathroom, it is because of a particular need. It may be age, illness, injury, or simply a new preference. We strive to meet those needs and give you a finished product that is beautiful too! IMI is a licensed General Contractor with a Licensed Plumber and a Certified Aging In Place Specialist (CAPS) on staff. We will give you the “Remodelers Edge” when you decide to enrich your lives and your bathroom. Isn’t it time to let IMI give you the edge?
Posted in IMI Creations |
Tags: aging in place, bathroom remodeling cobb, bathrooms, international marble |
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What Is Aging-In-Place?
The Certified Aging-in-Place Specialist (CAPS) is a designation created, taght and awarded by the National Associate of HomeBuilders (NAHB.) The course teaches the technical, business management, and customer service skills essential to competing in the fastest growing segment of the residential remodeling industry: home modifications for the aging-in-place.
The CAPS program has been recognized and recommended by AARP, who said: “A Certified Aging-in-Place Specialist (CAPS) can assist you with planning and making changes to your home that can help you continue to live there. CAPS professionals have the answers to many of your housing questions and problems. They have been taught the strategies and techniques for designing and building attractive, barrier-free living environments.”
An CAPS professional can also apply the ideas of universal design. Universal Design is a relatively new paradigm that emerged from “barrier-free” or “accessible design.” It is a design focus that describes designing and building a home to accommodate its owner’s physical needs for today and into the future. However, universal design and new home construction are not mutually exclusive terms. Some of the building industry’s strongest universal design advocates say they have been inspired either through their own personal experience coping with life-altering disabilities or by clients with special needs; and many of these clients had a strong desire to stay in their current family home!
Seeing the increasing need for this type of planning IMI has CAPS certified staff members that can help any builder or remodeler looking to apply universal design concepts to their clients’ homes. IMI’s barrier-free products include an Easy Access™ Shower Base, an Easy Access Ramp and a walk-in tub!
Posted in IMI's CEO Perspectives |
Tags: aging in place, barrier free, caps, certified aging in place, easy access, ramp, shower base, shower ramp, universal design, walk-in tub |
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Top Ten Bathroom Design Mistakes
(By Jessica Brown For How Stuff Works/howstuffworks.com)
Even though outhouses are more or less an icon of the past, there are a few features that we can learn from their design. They were functional, could be created on a small budget and had good ventilation through the cracks in the wood. They were also inconvenient, poorly lit and frankly, not very luxurious.
Since the time of outhouses, bathrooms have moved inside and multiplied. According to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, the number of homes with multiple bathrooms has increased more than 30 percent since 1973 [source: HUD].
Bathrooms are important to many people in the United States, which is why mistakes in their designs can be frustrating and costly. Bathroom designs vary, and just like with an outhouse, there are advantages and disadvantages to all the designs. In this article, we will discuss 10 common mistakes in bathroom design from layout decisions to design choices and even budgeting.
10. Small Budget for a Big Project
For those of us with limited funds, budgeting correctly can be a large part of actually being able to finish the job. Yet, it can be hard to make concessions when you’re dealing with a bathroom creation you’ve dreamed about for years.
Luckily, there are some ways to take a bit of the guesswork out of budgeting for your bathroom project. Due to the diverse nature of bathroom situations, it’s hard to give firm figures for a remodel. Yet, no matter what you have budgeted, it’s always a good idea to plan for unforeseen expenses. The National Association of the Remodeling Industry recommends saving 10 to 20 percent of your budget to allow for items added to the scope of the work [source: National Association of The Remodeling Industry]. So, only plan on using a portion of your budget upfront, then you have a cushion for those unexpected costs.
To decide how to spend your money, start by making a list of your priorities. Then make a list of must-haves based on the function of the bathroom. A large bathtub with super-powerful jets might be one person’s top priority, while double sinks might rank first for another.
After you’ve narrowed down your must-haves, a trip to your local home-improvement store or a chat with your designer is a good idea. This way you can start to put some tentative prices on some of those items on your list. For most products, you can choose from a range of price points. Take a bathtub; you could go with the deep-soaking version with jets, or you could opt for a more stream-lined model and save a few dollars.
9. Improper Installation
Everyone has heard at least one horror story about projects that have gone very wrong. From leaks to structural integrity, improper installation can end up costing you a great deal of money and trouble to correct the problem.
Besides the repairs involved with poor installation, there can also be safety issues. Cutting through framing to repair a problem can leave structurally weak spots that can damage the room and possibly hurt someone.
Another safety issue to think about is electrical installation. A television set mounted above the tub may allow you to multi-task, but it can also be a safety hazard if the television should ever fall. And improper outlets and light switches could be a fire hazard.
8. Uncomfortable Spacing
Some bathrooms may be just plain small, but sometimes the configuration and spacing in the room are actually making it seem less functional. Building codes do require a certain amount of space in front of and around toilets, tubs and shower entries along with many other space requirements throughout the room. While you have to conform to minimum requirements, adding more space to certain areas of your bathroom might be required by angles in the room or personal preference.
Evaluating exactly what you must have in the bathroom will allow you to utilize your space effectively. If you don’t take baths, forget the tub and expand the shower area. If you don’t need a place for setting curling irons or shaving cream, you can opt for a pedestal sink instead of a large sink with a countertop.
7. Lack of Storage
From shampoo bottles to towels and cleaning products, bathrooms require a lot of equipment. Yet some bathrooms only boast a small medicine cabinet and an approximately 2-foot by 2-foot (approximately 607 mm by 607 mm) closet. That might work for a bachelor, but try adding stuff from two or three people, and you have a storage nightmare. While most people’s storage issues might not be that extreme, more storage space is always a plus for a bathroom.
Some storage issues stem from limited space, but others are hindered by square footage. For those with limited floor space, move to the walls with hanging cabinets or wall shelves [source: Roney]. A mirrored medicine cabinet doubles as storage for small items. Several manufacturers make wall-mounted toothbrush holders, soap holders and soap dispensers, freeing up counter space for other items [source: Harrison and Lynch].
When making a storage plan, keep in mind the difference between hidden and exposed storage. For those who don’t want their towels and cosmetic bottles on display, planning for more hidden storage might be the correct use of space. Those with beautiful perfume bottles or monogrammed towels might want to utilize them as elements to enhance the bathroom’s overall look by displaying them on exposed shelves or in glass-front cabinets.
6. Thinking Short Term
Not planning for the future can leave homeowners with a less-than-effective bathroom. Designing for longevity also means versatility. It can be creating a child’s bathroom that can grow with the child or planning for your needs as you age.
Some parents want their kids’ bathrooms to be a children’s oasis with kid-sized everything and playful fixtures. But having a kid’s bathroom doesn’t have to mean remodeling when they hit puberty. Sarah Barnard, owner and interior designer for Sarah Barnard Design, recommends keeping surface materials simple and adding personality with removable items such as bath mats and shower curtains. This philosophy can also work for those who like to change colors or themes often, but need to stay on a budget.
Planning ahead can also make for a smooth and more aesthetic transition for those who are planning on aging-in-place or who just want the option for an accessible bathroom. This forethought can mean a great deal during a transition period.
Some ideas for planning ahead include reinforcing walls to the standards needed for grab bar installation. By creating an open floor plan with, among other space requirements, at least 32-inch (approximately 813 mm) doorways and 30 inches by 48 inches (approximately 762 mm by 1,219mm) of clear space around the sink, the bathroom becomes more accessible for a wheelchair user [source: Fair Housing Accessibility First]. Adequate lighting and the option of a nightlight can help to prevent falls for both young and old.
5. Going Too Trendy
While peach tile with teal accents may have been trendy about 60 years ago, it’s certainly not going to appeal to a broad spectrum of the general public now. Staying away from very trendy materials and design elements can give a bathroom a much longer life. While trends do differ by region, there are some items you might want to think twice about putting into your bathroom regardless of where you live. This includes ultra personalized items such as decorative motif tiles with images [source: Barnard]. While you might think that a tugboat tile for your son’s bathroom would be charming, your son may not agree with you in 10 years.
Choose items that have stood the test of time. Go with neutral colors. When choosing the color palette and materials for your room, think about the size of the room. A bold color might look great as a paint sample, but painting the entire room that color could be overwhelming [source: House Beautiful]. The same goes for flooring and tile.
Trendy choices may go out of style quickly, but if you don’t use moisture-resistant materials, you may be forced to replace them before they go out of fashion. Let’s explore some materials to avoid using in your bathroom.
4. Choosing the Wrong Materials
One of the biggest enemies to materials used in the bathroom is humidity. Choosing products that can stand up to the rigors of a wet and steamy environment is a major key in safeguarding your investment.
While to some it may be common sense, carpet is not a good option for the bathroom. It can soak up moisture and hold it. You may also want to think twice before you use wallpaper. Although, wallpaper might be a good choice for a half-bath, because it won’t have to put up with the constant steam from the shower [source: Harrison and Lynch].
As far as materials that do work well in a bathroom, nonporous surfaces are at the top of the list [source: Barnard]. Ceramic and porcelain tile work wonderfully for a bathroom. But if you’re going with semi-porous surfaces such as natural stone or hardwood, make sure to have them sealed properly. A great wood choice for the bathroom is teak because it is naturally water-resistant [source: Harrison and Lynch].
3. Ignoring the Environment
From saving the environment to reducing costs, environmentally responsible options abound when it comes to bathrooms. Water conservation is a big part of being Earth-friendly in the bathroom. Some communities are even requiring that home sellers retro-fit their homes with low-water use fixtures before they can change ownership [source: City of Arroyo Grande, California and Grillo]. Changing these fixtures ahead of time lets the homeowner reap some of the benefits instead of making the home more efficient only for the buyer’s use.
Tankless water heaters are another great option for the bathroom [source: Coleman]. While a regular water heater will consume energy throughout the day to keep the water in its tank hot, a gas tankless water heater only heats water as needed. An ENERGY STAR qualified whole-house gas tankless water heater can cut water heating expenses by 30 percent [source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, ENERGY STAR].
For both an eco-friendly and healthier bathroom, choose materials that have no or low VOCs (volatile organic compounds). These compounds are emitted as gasses from certain solids and liquids and some of these compounds can have adverse health effects [source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Indoor Air Quality]. Low or no VOC paint is one way to reduce these compounds in your bathroom. Also, as mentioned earlier, if using semi-porous materials such as natural stone or hardwood, they need to be sealed [source: Barnard]. Consider using nontoxic sealers.
2. Inadequate Lighting
When thinking about bathroom design, most people might not have lighting as a top priority, but it can greatly affect the functionality of the space. When choosing lighting for a bathroom, a homeowner can go wrong in two general ways: incorrect positioning or poor choice of lighting.
For overall bathroom lighting, overhead recessed can lights are a good option [source: Coleman]. When thinking about the rest of the room, lighting should reflect how a room will be used. If you plan on using the vanity to put on makeup or shave, lighting over the vanity is critical.
It’s also important to not forget lighting in or near the tub and shower. Not including enough light in a shower can be a safety hazard. Choose these lights carefully; they must fit with building codes and should be rated for wet locations [source: Coleman].
Regardless of where you position the lights, you should also think about the type of light you need. When choosing light bulbs, think about going with halogens, which offer a full spectrum of light that closely mimics sunlight [source: Coleman]. Another way to adjust light levels is to put lights on different switches. This allows you the freedom to turn on only the light in the toilet area instead of lighting the entire space. A dimmer on one of the lights offers the option of a nightlight for late-night trips to the bathroom.
1. Improper Ventilation
While ventilation might not be the most glamorous area of a bathroom project, it can become a real problem if not given the attention it deserves. Moisture and steam need a way to get out of the bathroom, or they’ll collect, which can cause biological pollutants, such as mold, to grow [source: EPA].
To increase air flow, an operable window is always a good choice. It also has an added benefit of adding light into the room. For those bathrooms in an area of a home that can not accommodate a window, mechanical ventilation must be added to help regulate the room’s humidity levels. Knowing the total cubic footage of the room, refer to state and local building code requirements for information on the size of windows needed for proper ventilation and the correct mechanical ventilation device.
Ventilation fans can be mounted on the wall or ceiling. New models take into account noise and also ease of use with automatic shut-off options. Other ventilation fans offer the ability to place many vents throughout the bathroom, such as over the sink, tub and shower, pulling all of that air through one central bath exhaust fan [source: Contant].
Whether it’s improper ventilation or incorrect budgeting, mistakes in bathroom design can cost homeowners time and money, while adding worries. Being educated on the areas to watch can hopefully prevent you from making these common blunders during your next project.
Posted in How Did Our Marble Get So Cultured? -Quips From IMI |
Tags: aging in place, bath, bath trends, bathroom, bathroom design, bathroom storage, bathrooms, building materials, caps, design mistakes, design trends, green, green building materials, installation, top ten, top ten mistakes, trendy, ventillation |
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