The Remodel Revealed, Part 2: The Ekon Bath Bathroom "Facelift"
neill • October 20, 2025
In our first segment, we walked through the dedicated process of a walk-in shower only remodel. Now, we're diving into our most popular option for clients who want a dramatic, comprehensive visual transformation without the complexity and cost of tearing every wall down to the studs: The Ekon Bath Bathroom Facelift.
This method focuses on maximizing visual impact and functionality at a moderate scale, keeping the existing layout while upgrading nearly every visible surface. Here is the step-by-step process we follow to bring your bathroom to life in approximately 5 to 10 days.
Phase 1: The Surgical Removal & Demolition
This phase is precise, focusing only on the elements scheduled for replacement.
- Initial Protection: Just like all our projects, we meticulously protect all adjacent areas and walking paths.
- Targeted Demolition: We carefully remove and dispose of the old elements: the existing tub or shower system, the vanity countertop/vanity door faces, the existing toilet, and the old flooring.
- Plumbing Reroute: We perform the necessary rough-in for new PEX water supply lines to accommodate the specific needs of the new shower fixtures (like a handheld sprayer and diverter) and install new lines for the vanity faucet.
Phase 2: Structural Repairs & Waterproofing
Before any beautiful finishes go in, we secure the core.
- Framing Adjustments: We perform any necessary minor framing adjustments required for the new shower footprint and ensure existing walls are ready to receive new drywall.
- The Waterproofing Armor: We apply our comprehensive waterproofing system (per Material Manufacturer specifications) to all shower walls and the shower floor/base area.
- Wall Finishing: We perform drywall repairs on all new & repaired walls and then meticulously tape, bed, and texture all surfaces to create a perfect canvas for paint.
Phase 3: The Transformation (Cabinetry, Floors & Shower System)
The pace picks up here as the major elements of your new bathroom are installed.
- Cabinet Refacing & Finishing: We don't demo the entire vanity box! We perform a cost-effective yet dramatic cabinet refacing. We re-face the existing doors with a new profile (client selected) and then prime and paint the entire cabinet with high-quality Sherwin-Williams or Benjamin Moore paint. This provides a completely new look without the expense of a full custom build.
- Flooring Installation: We install your new tile flooring across the bathroom.
- Onyx Collection Installation: This is the center of the transformation. We install the shower base and the custom-sized wall panel system, creating a watertight, low-maintenance centerpiece that drastically elevates the space.
Phase 4: Final Finishes & Detail Work
The final two days focus on precision and delivering the "first-class" experience.
- Painting: We apply primer and Sherwin-Williams paint to the walls, ceiling, and trim, giving the entire space a cohesive, clean look. We also install a new smooth panel door if the existing one was damaged.
- Electrical Finishes: We upgrade your touchpoints by supplying and installing new Decora-style faces for all switches and outlets and installing a new wet-rated LED can lights.
- Final Fixtures: We install the new countertop, the new toilet, and the new vanity faucet.
- Custom Glass: We install the custom frameless glass shower door with matching hardware, completing the luxury aesthetic.
This Facelift option is perfect for East Texas homeowners who desire maximum style and functionality with minimal time commitment, proving that you don't always need a full gut-job to achieve a high-end Ekon Bath result.
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Can you turn a 1980s bathtub into a luxury Art Deco shower? Yes. By combining custom architectural arches, high-flow plumbing for 13 water outlets, and specialized "aging-in-place" safety features, you can transform a dated bathroom into a spa-like "rainforest" sanctuary that increases home value and personal comfort. The Vision: More Than Just a Bathroom When I first met Griff Hubbard through the Rotary Club of Longview, I knew his project would be special. Griff is a man of history, particularly railroad history, and his home reflects that soul. He didn't just want a new shower; he wanted the "crowning achievement" of his home—a space that felt like an Art Deco rainforest. To truly understand Griff’s vision, I did something most contractors don't: I listened to his railroad history podcasts. This allowed us to build a design that wasn't just functional, but deeply personal. Engineering the "Rainforest" Experience The centerpiece of this transformation is the "Rainforest" shower system. To achieve this level of luxury, we had to overcome significant technical hurdles: 13 Water Outlets: We installed a massive array of body sprayers and the largest rain head Ekon Bath has ever commissioned. High-Volume Plumbing: Most older homes aren't built for this much water. We coordinated with specialists to ensure the water pressure and hot water capacity could handle the "rainforest" flow. Custom Art Deco Hardware: When standard handles didn't fit the 1920s aesthetic, we sourced custom hardware and even had a machine shop create a bespoke Art Deco drain cover. Design Details: Where History Meets Luxury Griff’s bathroom is a masterclass in Art Deco design . We replaced the standard square shower entry with a striking architectural archway . This creates a sense of "arriving" at a destination rather than just stepping into a shower. We also prioritized "Aging in Space" —a core value at Ekon Bath. While the shower looks like a high-end spa, it secretly includes reinforced support behind the walls for future safety features, ensuring Griff can enjoy this sanctuary for the next 40 years. The Ekon "Red Carpet" Experience At Ekon Bath, we believe the process should be as beautiful as the result. For Griff, that meant: Daily Cleanliness: We vacuumed and dusted every single afternoon so Griff could live comfortably during the renovation. Above and Beyond: To finish the job, we didn't just clean the bathroom; we power-washed his back patio to leave his entire home better than we found it.
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