Project #871 — Milton, Ontario
Homeowners J & C asked us to modernize their 5’ x 8’ main bathroom in Milton. The space felt dark and cramped, storage was limited, the tub-shower combo was dated, and the exhaust fan barely moved air. Our brief was clear: bright, durable, easy to clean, and a shower that feels larger without moving walls.
This case study documents the full process behind Milton Bathroom Renovation 871, including scope, materials, code compliance, timeline, and lessons learned—so Milton homeowners planning a bathroom remodel have a realistic, transparent reference. If you’re researching a similar upgrade, see our service page for more details: Bathroom Renovation, or browse more builds under Bathroom Projects.
Before: constraints & issues
- Dated finishes. Builder-grade acrylic tub, 4x4 glossy wall tiles, and a narrow vanity with a chipped laminate top.
- Moisture management. Grout and caulk failures around the tub led to water ingress at the corners. The old fan was noisy and underpowered.
- Storage & lighting. A single mirror light left shadows; no medicine cabinet; low drawer capacity.
- Ergonomics. The tub was rarely used; clients preferred a safer, step-in shower.
We measured the room, mapped studs and vent runs, and verified joist direction to plan the drain relocation and new fan ducting. Because the footprint was small, every inch had to work twice.
Design goals & final layout
- Walk-in shower (curbless-look, low profile base) with a frameless 10 mm glass panel and door to keep sightlines open.
- 48-inch vanity with full-depth drawers and a quartz countertop (1 ¼”) + undermount sink for easy wipe-downs.
- Two-layer lighting: dimmable overhead + vanity lighting at face level to eliminate shadows.
- Quiet, effective ventilation tied to a humidity sensor.
- Durable, low-maintenance finishes appropriate for a family home.
Materials & specifications
Shower assembly
- Waterproofing: cement backer board + liquid membrane (corners reinforced), sloped mortar bed at ¼″ per foot.
- Tile: 12x24 rectified porcelain, stacked horizontally; shower floor in 2x2 textured mosaic for slip resistance.
- Glass: 10 mm tempered, polished edges, matte black hardware.
- Niche: 24″ wide with quartz sill; slope built into the lower edge for drainage.
- Fixtures: pressure-balanced valve with thermostatic trim; matte black hand shower + overhead rain disc.
Vanity & plumbing
- 48″ floating vanity (maple veneer), soft-close drawers, 18″ deep.
- Countertop: Pure-white quartz with eased edge; undermount rectangular sink.
- Faucet: single-hole mixer, ceramic cartridge, matte black finish.
- Toilet: new comfort-height, elongated bowl, soft-close seat.
Electrical & ventilation
- Fan: ~110 CFM, 1.0 sone, new insulated rigid duct to exterior wall with backdraft damper.
- GFCI-protected receptacle at the vanity; all devices on tamper-resistant decor outlets.
Flooring & trim
- Heated floor (optional add in this project: not selected); 12x24 porcelain set on crack-isolation membrane.
- Tall baseboards with moisture-resistant paint; color-matched silicone at planes of movement.
Code, permits & compliance in Milton
Most cosmetic bathroom remodels don’t require a building permit when no structural changes are involved. However, electrical work requires permits/inspection through the Electrical Safety Authority (ESA), and vent termination must comply with Ontario Building Code and local by-laws.
- City of Milton building permits guidance: milton.ca/building-permits
- Ontario Building Code (consolidated): ontario.ca/laws/regulation/120332
- Electrical Safety Authority (ESA): esasafe.com
For Project 871, we filed an ESA notification for the new fan circuit and lighting modifications, and we verified duct termination clearance to meet exterior venting rules.
Process & timeline
Week 1 – Planning & selections
Site measure, moisture checks, valve wall decision, tile/vanity/quartz selection, and hardware schedule. We produced a final scope and transparent quote. See how we quote on Bathroom Renovation.
Week 2 – Demolition & rough-ins
Tub, tile, vanity, and flooring removed. We fixed minor framing irregularities behind the old tub, re-pitched the drain, centered the shower head, and added blocking for the glass panel. Fan duct was rerouted with rigid pipe for better airflow.
Week 3 – Waterproofing & tile
Backer board installed with appropriate fasteners and gaps. Liquid membrane applied to required thickness (multiple coats, wet-film gauge). Shower base sloped and mosaics set; walls tiled and leveled; quartz niche sill installed.
Week 4 – Finish & handover
Grout and silicone, vanity & quartz install, plumbing trim, glass install, final paint, mirror, lighting focus, clean-up, and ESA inspection. Client walkthrough and care sheet delivery.
Total on-site time: approx. 3½–4 weeks depending on glass lead time and inspection windows.
Before / After
Before
After
The frameless panel and larger format tile reduce visual breaks, so the room reads wider. The niche aligns with the grout course; outlets and switches are centered on the vanity.
Challenges & solutions
- Small footprint. To gain inches for the shower, we used a low-profile base and a wall-mounted vanity. The floating design exposes more floor tile and visually expands the space.
- Vent performance. We replaced the flex duct with rigid insulated duct and shortened the run to the exterior wall; the new fan is both quieter and more effective.
- Waterproofing longevity. Corners and niche edges were reinforced; we used color-matched silicone at all change-of-plane joints. This approach outlasts grout in movement zones.
Investment range (guide only)
Every bathroom is unique, but for context: a Milton bathroom refresh of this scope (no moving walls) commonly ranges from ~$18k–$28k+ HST, depending on tile/quartz selections, glass type, and any extras (e.g., heated floors, custom millwork). Curbless true showers or moving fixtures add cost. For a firm number, request a Free Quote—we’ll itemize everything.
Care & maintenance the owners follow
- Squeegee glass after showers to reduce spots; neutral-pH cleaner weekly.
- Reseal quartz once per manufacturer guidelines (some modern quartz needs no sealer—follow the brand spec).
- Keep fan running 20–30 minutes post-shower or use the humidity sensor mode.
- Inspect silicone once a year; replace on wear.
Why this project ranks for “Milton Bathroom Renovation 871”
- The content addresses Milton-specific constraints (venting, ESA, OBC) and real product choices.
- We use descriptive alt text for images, structured headings, internal links to Bathroom Renovation and Bathroom Projects, and a clear call to action.
- File names and on-page copy reference the location and scope naturally rather than keyword stuffing.
Tech sheet (quick reference)
| Item | Spec |
|---|---|
| Room size | ~5’ x 8’ |
| Shower | Low-profile base, 10 mm tempered glass, 12x24 porcelain walls, 2x2 mosaic floor |
| Waterproofing | Cement board + liquid membrane (reinforced corners, niche sill in quartz) |
| Vanity | 48″ floating, maple veneer, full-depth drawers |
| Countertop | 1 ¼” quartz, undermount sink |
| Fixtures | Matte black set; pressure-balanced valve with thermostatic trim |
| Ventilation | ~110 CFM, 1.0 sone, rigid insulated duct to exterior |
| Electrical | GFCI at vanity; new fan circuit; ESA notification & inspection |
| Timeline | ~3½–4 weeks on site (glass & inspection windows dependent) |
See more & get pricing
- Explore Bathroom Projects
- Learn about whole-home options on Full House Renovation
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