We’re really excited about the improvements made to our site by our web designer, Silent Blast Interactive – located in Toronto. We’ve updated our homepage to include the latest from our blog, and we’ve added a video page to include our own videos, those from our featured TV programs, and others that relate directly to renovation products, and planning and design. We hope that these new improvements will better assist our clients with their renovation experience. Check out one of our media videos from Fairchild TV below. It features one of our modern whole house renovations with a concrete countertop.

Ashton Renovations can work in a variety of styles, whether traditional, contemporary, or modern. For many years traditional styles in kitchens and bathrooms was a popular and safe style, but today modern design is emerging more and more as a popular choice. Surprisingly, even in older homes with many traditional elements, modern designs are integrated into the kitchens and bathrooms. What once seemed cold and austere design is now becoming a widely accepted style in many renovations in Toronto. With clean lines and simplicity in design, modern elements in kitchen and bathroom renovations have become the norm.

To achieve modern design there are several elements to consider. Our recently completed ensuite bathroom in Richmond Hill included many of these typical features of modernity.

The modern design of this bathroom is very prominent beginning with the tile work. Both walls and flooring consist of large format 12″ x 24″ tiles installed horizontally and in a non staggered format. The vanity and cabinet are wall hung and feature dark grainy wood flat panel doors with aluminum features. The single hole faucets are chrome and sit atop a square acrylic integrated counter sink combination. The stand alone tub with tub filler as well incorporates a modern square design that is simple.

The tiled shower included in this bathroom complements all the elements of the vanity and tub with a thermostatic shower system in chrome with square details. It also features a full glass enclosure with engineered quartz thresholds and shelves. The bulkhead, which houses a shower light ties in with the design of the shower and adds dimension to the space.

Elements of modern design are also prevalent in the above kitchen renovation in Toronto’s Cabbagetown. Being an older home, it featured many traditional elements, but fused with modern styling. This kitchen as well used dark wood grained panels mixed with aluminum elements and horizontal lines.

We’ve incorporated many of Schluter’s waterproofing shower systems in our Toronto bathroom renovations for years and are excited about now offering one of their new products: Kerdi-Line. It’s an excellent alternative to sloped drains and now allows larger flat tiles to be placed in the shower.

“Schluter-KERDI-LINE is a low profile linear floor drain specifically designed for bonded waterproofing assemblies. KERDILINE can be installed adjacent to walls, or at intermediate locations in showers, steam rooms, wet rooms, and other applications that require waterproofing and drainage. The floor can be sloped on a single plane
to KERDI-LINE, which enables the use of large-format tiles and creates interesting design opportunities.”

“Schluter-KERDI-LINE is available in channel lengths from 20″ to 48″
(50 cm to 120 cm) in 4″ (10 cm) increments. The grate assembly consists of a brushed stainless steel frame and three design grate options. Option A is a closed-design, brushed stainless steel grate. Option B is a brushed stainless grate with square perforations. Option C is a stainless steel pan with Schluter-KERDI laminated on the inside for setting tile inserts up to 3/8″ (10 mm) thick.

Cabinetsmith kitchens are both manufactured and assembled in Canada. Located in Barrie, Ontario, Cabinetsmith offers an excellent alternative to ordering kitchens coming from the USA with 4-6 week wait times; with its QUICK SHIP program, their kitchens are ordered and shipped within 2 weeks! Now you can complete your kitchen renovation in Toronto much faster and support our local economy too.

Cabinetsmith is a high-quality product with standard clip on blum hardware and options with Blumotion. Support rails for cabinets are above industry standards at 1 1/8″, and with over 160 different cabinet configurations, Cabinetsmith can fit any space with a multitude of different design options.

There are numerous products available from Schluter, but the most common used in residential is the Kerdi waterproofing membrane for tiled showers. Ashton Renovations is a certified installer of all their products and has installed them in numerous bathroom renovations around Toronto for years without any failures. The kit shown above requires numerous steps to install and should really only be done by a contractor with the training to do so. Here are some clear signals that a contractor is installing the kit improperly.

Common Mistakes Made Using Schluter Shower Kit

Cork flooring from Torlys (with their head office in Toronto) is a responsible flooring choice coming from a renewable resource – the bark of trees. It is now commonly found in kitchens, living rooms, and bedrooms. It is comfortable and warm, and contributes to improved indoor air quality. Because cork is 50% air, it has a dense cushion of air that insulates against cold and comforts every footstep.

The most common concern regarding the installation of cork as a flooring choice is its’ durability. Fortunately, industry tests for wear have shown that cork endures like hardwood. Even better, should damage occur, cork flooring is easily replaceable, something not was easily done with many other types of flooring.

Centura Tile Toronto is Ashton Renovations’ prime supplier of tile and Schluter products for our kitchens and bathrooms. They carry a wide range of porcelain, ceramic, and stone tiles, and are conveniently located in Toronto’s Design District near Lawrence and Dufferin. Their exact address is 53 Apex Rd. Hours are available by calling 416-785-5151

Neptune Baths is an excellent source for baths, showers, and accessories that first and foremost enhance the sensuality and pleasure of the overall bathing experience. They are local, based out of Quebec, which means you can get their products faster.

Over the years we have put in many of their shower bases and tubs without any difficulties. They offer bath products for us here in Toronto in both traditional and modern styles.

This summer we were approached by a condo owner who was looking to finish up his kitchen. It had been renovated by a local contractor, but there were still things not quite done, and some fine tuning required to finish off the job nicely. Most of us renovators shy away from projects like these; coming into an uncompleted job has its challenges. However, the homeowner seemed reasonable and his concerns were justified.

We worked through the issues and fine tuned their renovation until the customer was completely satisfied with their kitchen. Their review on Home Stars speaks to our approach to customer satisfaction and leaving our jobs 100% done down to the last detail.