Master bath gets overdue upgrade

Brenda Skittone, a sales clerk for a Carpentersville manufacturing company, significantly upgraded her 1960s Elk Grove Village home when she won the third annual Bath Planet/Daily Herald tub-to-shower transformation sweepstakes, announced in April.

She won the privilege of having the rusty old tub in her master bathroom replaced with a white shower base, a smooth finish white acrylic wall system (which was installed right over the aging tile), glass doors, chrome trim, a shower accessory and chrome fixtures. Her prize package was valued at approximately $10,000.

Sweepstakes entries totaling 410 were received this year since many homeowners of all ages prefer to enjoy a walk-in shower. Few have the time or inclination to enjoy a lengthy soak, so why take the chance on a tub/shower combination when they just want to take a shower? In addition, older homeowners often become fearful of climbing in and out of a tub which doubles as a shower. They hear horror stories about friends and family members who have fallen during this daily chore and don't want the same fate to befall them.

Bath Planet of Chicagoland, based in Streamwood, reviewed the contestant photos and narrowed the list down to 10 finalists. Those 10 were then asked to provide a brief explanation of why they should win the prize package.

Skittone had written in about her children's tub/shower in the hall bathroom but when Kevin Gustafson, sales manager at Bath Planet, stopped by to see the potential project, he asked to also see the master bathroom - which desperately needed replacing, as well - and he advised Skittone to revise her request and have the master bath replaced instead.

"It was actually in worse condition and was harder to reach because the room is so small," Skittone explained. "I had entered the hall bathroom in the contest because I figured that it was an easier job. But the Bath Planet people were reluctant to replace the hall bathtub with a walk-in shower because families with children need tubs and it could hurt my resale value. Having a large shower completes the master bathroom better."

When the Skittone family moved into their Elk Grove home 18 years ago, they had two tiny children. A third was added shortly thereafter who is now a senior in high school. Unfortunately, however, Skittone's husband died eight years ago of a heart attack at the age of 41.

"Not long after we moved in, my husband sponge-painted the bathroom which had tan tile above the rusty white tub," she recalled. "We also have a rusty pink tub in the hall bathroom."

In addition to the tiled tub, the master bath originally featured a wood vanity with a marbleized sink/top, shelves and a skylight, Skittone said. "The new smooth white shower really brightens everything up and is so much easier to clean! That really improves my quality of life since I don't have to fight with that grout. Now it only takes two minutes to squeegee everything down. My daughter even sneaks in there to use it."

"If my husband were still alive, I know that he would really approve," she added, "and if I ever win the lottery, I will definitely invest in a new tub in the hall bathroom. It really makes a big difference in the house."

All of the replacement work was completed by Bath Planet in one day, Skittone said, and the installers were exceedingly clean, informative and professional.

Bath Planet is the wet area specialist so it has been the solution for many. They offer stylish, cost-effective, low-maintenance acrylic bath improvements that are made locally - in a 200,000 square foot facility in Libertyville.

Many Bath Planet products install right over the existing ugly wall tile and chipped or faded tub or shower for maximum cost-effectiveness and minimum mess. When a tub is being replaced with a walk-in shower, as it was in the Skittone house, the tub is cut into two or three pieces and hauled away before the new shower base is installed, followed by the wall pieces. The existing wall tile is thoroughly cleaned and then left in place, but covered, according to Gustafson.

Bath Planet's products feature the elegant look of ceramic tile, granite or marble - in a wide variety of colors and finishes - but without the grout, mess and irritating maintenance because the liners are made of a nonporous, easy-to-clean material. Add to that the array of finishing touches that are available including shower caddies, soap dishes, grab bars, curved shower rods and a selection of shower doors and homeowners can easily create a complete, unique bathroom that meets their particular circumstances.

"Our exclusive product line, ranging from spa showers to walk-in tubs, is constructed out of the toughest acrylic - specially designed to withstand the wear and tear of daily bathroom use," the Bath Planet website states. "The acrylic is custom-fitted to your existing bathroom and installed with triple-seal technology. Not only will your new bathtub or shower be stunning, but it will also fit seamlessly into your current design and protect your home from harmful water damage."

In addition, all of that tough cleaning of grout, using harsh chemicals, will be a distant memory. A little vinegar or dish soap and hot water is all that is required to effectively clean a nonporous Bath Planet acrylic shower, according to Gustafson. And you don't have to count on workers invading your home for days or weeks. Installation is usually completed in just one day, he added.

Bath Planet offers replacement tubs and shower bases in a wide selection of colors, sizes and styles to add value to the bathroom within your home. Bath Planet also has a full line of accessibility products and aging-in-place bath systems to ensure independent living for as long as possible. Roll-in showers, walk-in tubs, soaking tubs and even jetted tubs are all available.

"Our products have been huge for elderly people, in particular, because research has shown that 80 percent of sicknesses are transferred in conventional tile bathrooms and that doesn't happen as readily in nonporous acrylic environments," Gustafson said.

Dimitris Nacopoulos, owner of the Chicagoland dealership, has been in the bathroom remodeling business for 19 years. His Bath Planet dealership is one of 122 dealerships around the country and his territory extends from Rockford to Lake Michigan and from the Indiana border to southern Wisconsin.

"What sets us apart is the fact that we offer great service, competitive pricing, the most color and design options in the business, the Good Housekeeping Seal of Approval and a lifetime warranty," Nacopoulos explained.

"And if you sell your home within the first two years after a Bath Planet tub or shower has been installed, the lifetime warranty can be transferred to the new owners," Gustafson added.

For more information, call (877) 705-7177.