Tag: bathroom renovation

The Key to a Long-Lasting Bathroom Renovation: Choosing the Right Tile Backing Material

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At The HandyForce, we’ve seen it all when it comes to bathroom renovations. Our team often gets called in to fix issues like grout cracking or tiles popping off the wall—problems that can turn a beautiful new bathroom into a frustrating headache. While there are many reasons a renovation might fail, one stands out as the #1 culprit: using the wrong backing material behind the tiles in your shower. Too often, we see drywall used in these wet areas, and when it gets damp, it loses its integrity, leaving your stunning tile work vulnerable to damage. That’s why we’re passionate about educating homeowners on the importance of choosing the right backing material—specifically Schluter Kerdi-Board or cement board—to ensure your bathroom stands the test of time.

Why Backing Material Matters

When you’re planning a bathroom renovation, it’s easy to focus on the fun stuff: picking out gorgeous tiles, sleek fixtures, and the perfect vanity. But what’s behind those tiles is just as critical. The backing material serves as the foundation for your shower walls, providing stability and protection against water—the biggest enemy in any bathroom. Showers are wet zones, and even with proper sealing, moisture can seep through grout lines or tiny cracks over time. If the material behind your tiles can’t handle that moisture, you’re setting yourself up for problems like mold growth, structural damage, and those all-too-common issues of grout cracking and tiles popping off.

The Drywall Disaster

Drywall might be a go-to for other areas of your home, but in a shower, it’s a recipe for trouble. Standard drywall (and even moisture-resistant “greenboard”) simply isn’t designed to withstand the constant exposure to water that a shower demands. When drywall gets wet, it softens, swells, and eventually disintegrates, compromising the bond with your tiles. The result? Cracked grout, loose tiles, and, in the worst cases, a full-blown renovation redo. We’ve had countless clients call us in a panic because their “new” bathroom started showing these signs just months after completion—all because the original installer cut corners with drywall.

The Right Choice: Schluter Kerdi-Board or Cement Board

So, what’s the solution? At The HandyForce, we recommend two tried-and-true options for shower backing: Schluter Kerdi-Board and cement board. Both are designed to handle the unique challenges of a wet environment, ensuring your bathroom renovation stays beautiful and functional for years.

  • Schluter Kerdi-Board: This innovative product is a game-changer in the world of bathroom renovations. Made from lightweight, waterproof extruded polystyrene foam with a reinforced surface, Kerdi-Board is a multifunctional tile substrate that doubles as a bonded waterproofing layer. Unlike drywall, it won’t break down when exposed to moisture, and its built-in waterproofing means you don’t need an additional membrane in many cases. It’s easy to cut and install, making it a favorite for both pros and DIYers. Plus, its durability ensures a solid base that keeps tiles firmly in place—no cracking grout or popping tiles here. At The HandyForce, we love using Kerdi-Board for its reliability and the peace of mind it brings to our clients.
  • Cement Board: A classic choice, cement board (like HardieBacker or Durock) is another excellent option for shower walls. Made from a mixture of cement and reinforcing fibers, it’s tough, water-resistant, and provides a stable surface for tile adhesion. While it’s heavier and messier to work with than Kerdi-Board, it’s a cost-effective solution that gets the job done right. When paired with a waterproofing membrane (like Redgard or a Schluter Kerdi membrane), cement board creates a rock-solid barrier against moisture, protecting your investment and preventing those costly callbacks we so often see with drywall.

Why It’s Worth the Investment

Choosing Schluter Kerdi-Board or cement board might cost a bit more upfront than slapping up some drywall, but trust us—it’s an investment that pays off. These materials are purpose-built to handle the damp, humid conditions of a shower, meaning fewer repairs down the road and a bathroom that looks as good as new for decades. When you hire The HandyForce for your premier bathroom renovation, we prioritize quality at every step, from selecting the right backing material to ensuring flawless tile installation. Our goal is to deliver a space you’ll love without the stress of future fixes.

Don’t Let Your Dream Bathroom Fall Apart

Grout cracking and tiles popping off are more than just cosmetic issues—they’re signs of a deeper problem that could have been avoided with the right materials. At The HandyForce, we’ve seen firsthand how cutting corners with drywall leads to disappointment. That’s why we’re committed to using Schluter Kerdi-Board or cement board in our shower installations, giving you a bathroom that’s not only stunning but built to last.

Ready to start your bathroom renovation the right way? Contact The HandyForce today to schedule a consultation. Let’s create a space that’s beautiful, durable, and worry-free—because you deserve nothing less. Visit us at thehandyforce.com to learn more about our premier bathroom renovation services!

How to Budget for Your Home Renovation Project

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Have you decided to begin a renovation project for your home? Then you might be one of the many Canadians improving their house each year. One of the most important things to ensure a successful experience, is making a budget that fits your project and then of course sticking to it.

It is easier said than done of course, but with a few tips and tricks, you can become much better equipped to take on the tasks ahead. So in this article we will cover some of the different ways in which you can create a realistic budget. Good luck!

Settle on the extent of the project

Before you can begin the process of actually creating your budget, you should first figure out exactly what the renovation actually entails. This can be a relatively easy task, or it might require you contacting professionals in order to get an idea of the work that needs to be done.

Perhaps you are simply removing old wallpaper and giving the walls and ceilings a new coat of paint, in which case there probably won’t be any hidden expenses. But if you are digging up the old hardwood floors, or replacing the roof tiles, you might notice other things that need to be fixed as well in the process.

Research the time needed

While this is not strictly necessary in terms of the budget itself, it can also help if you are calculating a rough timeline. If nothing else, it will give you an idea of the scope of the entire renovation, and also help make it clear when to hire which contractors.

Research costs for materials, permits, contractors

Next up you will need to figure out rough costs for everything necessary. Remember to include permits if needed, and also account for the wages for contractors and so on. It can be a good idea to divide this into the different parts of the project, such as kitchen renovation, basement and so on.

Take your time with this step, and if in doubt, add a bit more than you think might be necessary. No home renovation project ever failed because there was too much money available, but many projects have stalled due to lack of funds.

Materials are relatively straightforward to figure out if you are buying directly from a shop, but sometimes contractors wish to use their own connections and suppliers, which might be cheaper, but also require you to rely on the quote you got.

Make a prioritized list

Now that you have an idea of the cost and time of each individual area of your home, it is time to be realistic with what you wish to spend on the project. If you have already divided up the cost per area of the home, you can now pick and choose between the different projects you’d like.

If you are in doubt whether to choose between certain areas, perhaps consider which of those would add the most resale value to the home, or which would give the most comfort if you plan on living there for many years to come.