A successful bathroom remodel isn’t just about choosing beautiful tile and fixtures. The quality of the finished space depends on careful planning, skilled installation and attention to details that homeowners may never see once the project is complete.
This recent primary bathroom and custom shower remodel was completed by Longmont-based Timberline Builders for a homeowner in Boulder, Colorado.
The project transformed the existing bathroom and shower into a more contemporary space featuring a curbless walk-in shower, heated flooring, dual rain-style shower heads, body spray, a custom heated bench, frameless glass and distinctive tile work.
Service Performed: Primary Bathroom and Custom Shower Remodel
Property Type: Residential Home
Project Location: Boulder, Colorado
Contractor: Timberline Builders – Longmont, Colorado
Project Highlights:
This Boulder bathroom project involved much more than replacing old tile with something new.
Timberline Builders removed the existing wall and floor tile along with the shower glass, shower bench, linear drain, grab bars, plumbing trim and other components necessary to properly reconstruct the space.
At the same time, several quality existing components were carefully preserved for reuse, including the toilet, selected shower trim and controls, grab bars, shower door and one of the existing glass panels.
This allowed the homeowners to retain elements that still worked well while substantially upgrading the appearance, comfort and functionality of the bathroom.
Some of the most important work in a quality bathroom remodel is completely hidden once the project is finished.
The shower area was reframed to accommodate the new design, including construction of a new approximately three-foot-wide bench. Timberline Builders also installed proper backing for the grab bars and framed a new half wall separating the shower from the vanity area.
Plumbing was modified for the redesigned shower as well. The existing rain head and diverter were relocated, the linear drain was moved to its new position near the bench, and the plumbing was configured to accommodate an additional rain-style shower head, body spray and controls.
Getting these details right before waterproofing and tile installation is critical to creating a shower that looks great and performs properly for years to come.
One of the defining features of the finished bathroom is the new curbless shower.
Eliminating the traditional raised shower curb creates a clean, contemporary transition from the main bathroom floor into the shower. It also provides easier access and contributes to the open feeling of the finished space.
Creating a curbless shower requires careful preparation beneath the finished surfaces. The shower pan, drainage, waterproofing, floor elevations and tile installation all need to work together.
The relocated linear drain integrates cleanly into the new layout while helping preserve the streamlined appearance of the shower floor.
Another distinctive feature of this Boulder bathroom remodel is the in-floor heating system.
Rather than limiting radiant heat to the main bathroom floor, the system extends into the shower floor and the shower bench. A programmable thermostat gives the homeowners control over the system.
That’s an especially welcome feature during Colorado winters.
It also illustrates why planning matters in a sophisticated bathroom remodel. Heated floors, shower pans, drains, waterproofing and finished tile are interconnected systems that need to be coordinated before the surfaces homeowners eventually see are installed.
The finished bathroom uses a striking combination of large-format dark gray tile and lighter patterned feature tile to give the shower a distinctly modern look.
The darker tile continues from the bathroom floor into the curbless shower, helping visually connect the two spaces. The lighter patterned tile across the rear shower wall provides contrast and creates a focal point within the enclosure.
A frameless glass enclosure keeps the shower feeling open and allows the tile work to remain visible throughout the bathroom.
The project also incorporated a tiled shower pan, tile base trim, a finished half-wall cap and detailed tile installation around the different shower components.
Quality tile work requires considerably more than setting attractive material on a wall. The underlying surfaces must be properly prepared, transitions carefully planned, and individual elements coordinated so the finished bathroom looks intentional rather than pieced together.
The finished shower combines contemporary design with practical features.
Dual rain-style shower heads provide flexibility within the large enclosure, while an additional body spray and shower controls expand the functionality of the space.
The built-in bench provides a convenient seating area and is heated along with the shower floor. Grab bars were incorporated into the design with structural backing installed behind the finished walls for secure mounting.
These details make the shower more comfortable and usable today while also providing features that can make the bathroom easier to use over the long term.
A quality remodel doesn’t necessarily mean everything in the room needs to be replaced.
For this project, the homeowners chose to reuse several existing components that remained suitable for the redesigned bathroom.
Timberline Builders carefully integrated the existing toilet, selected shower trim and controls, grab bars, shower door and one glass panel into the new construction. A new glass panel was installed on the opposite side of the shower and incorporated with the reused components.
This type of work requires careful measurement and planning because the new construction must accommodate components that already exist rather than simply starting over with everything new.
It also demonstrates a practical approach to remodeling: preserve what makes sense to keep and invest in the areas where improvements will make the greatest difference.
Bathroom remodeling frequently requires opening walls and modifying surfaces to accommodate new framing and plumbing.
After that work was completed, drywall was repaired, taped and textured to blend as closely as possible with the surrounding existing surfaces.
A new white toe kick was also installed beneath the existing vanities to create a clean transition between the cabinetry and newly remodeled surfaces.
Individually, details like these may seem minor. Collectively, they’re an important part of making new construction feel integrated with the rest of the home.
The completed bathroom has a clean, sophisticated appearance that feels open while incorporating features designed for comfort, accessibility and long-term use.
The contrast between the dark large-format tile and lighter patterned shower wall gives the room a contemporary character without overwhelming the space. Frameless glass preserves sight lines through the bathroom, while the continuous flooring and curbless entry visually connect the shower with the rest of the room.
The dual rain-style shower heads, body spray, heated flooring and heated bench add comfort and functionality, but much of the quality of this project can’t be seen in the finished photograph.
Behind those surfaces are the framing, plumbing modifications, drainage, heating, waterproofing and careful preparation required to make the design work properly.
That’s where much of the lasting quality of a bathroom remodel is created.
The homeowners love the finished bathroom and are very happy with the results.
They particularly appreciate the improved accessibility and comfort of the new space. The curbless shower, heated surfaces, seating, and other accessibility-focused features have made the bathroom safer and easier to use while also delivering the updated appearance they wanted.
This project wasn’t simply about modernizing an outdated bathroom. It was about thoughtfully remodeling an existing space around the homeowner’s changing needs.
The finished bathroom demonstrates how accessibility, comfort, safety, and attractive design can work together without making a bathroom feel institutional or clinical.
Timberline Builders is based in neighboring Longmont, Colorado and has been completing remodeling projects throughout Boulder County for decades.
This Boulder primary bathroom project demonstrates the same approach we bring to every remodel: careful planning, quality craftsmanship and attention to both the visible finishes and the important construction details behind them.
Beautiful tile, glass and fixtures create the visual transformation. Proper framing, plumbing, waterproofing, floor preparation and careful integration of every component are what help ensure the finished space performs as intended for years to come.
From our home base in Longmont, Timberline Builders provides bathroom remodeling services for homeowners in Boulder, Longmont, Louisville, Lafayette and surrounding Boulder County communities.
If you’re considering a curbless walk-in shower, heated bathroom floors, custom tile work or a larger primary bathroom renovation, Timberline Builders can help you create a space designed around your home and the way you want to use it.
Our Longmont-based remodeling team brings decades of experience to projects throughout Boulder County, with an emphasis on thoughtful planning, quality craftsmanship and construction that’s built to last.
Contact Timberline Builders to discuss your bathroom remodeling project.