Homeowners across South Carolina enjoy spending time in their yards, soaking up some sunshine and vitamin D. But for those who live close to their neighbors, there might not be as much privacy as they’d like. Your outdoor living space should be a sanctuary where you can relax, entertain, and enjoy nature without feeling exposed to the outside world. 

Whether you have a backyard, patio, balcony, or deck, enhancing privacy can make your space more inviting and serene. Fortunately, it doesn’t have to be difficult to increase privacy in your yard. If you’re looking for great ways to increase your privacy, keep reading to see what our team recommends. 

1. Consider Planting Strategically Placed Trees and Hedges

If you want to increase privacy in your yard while considering other upgrades to your space, you might want to consider planting strategically placed trees and hedges. Trees and hedges that grow to be tall and thin can help you create a privacy barrier without compromising the structural integrity of any fences lining your property. When choosing plants for your yard, it is always best to choose native plants, as they are often best equipped to handle local weather conditions. Some of the best plants for your South Carolina yard include:

• Wax Myrtle
• Southern Magnolia
• American Holly
• Eastern Red Juniper

2. Install a Privacy Fence

One major upgrade you can make to your yard to help increase privacy is to install a privacy fence. While picket or wrought iron fences may look visually appealing, they do very little to increase privacy in your backyard. To boost your privacy, consider investing in a solid board fence. It is important to note that the city of Greenville has a 7-foot limit on fences. While 6 feet is often enough to provide ample privacy, anyone considering a fence taller than this should reconsider if they want to avoid fines from the city. 

3. Incorporate Lattice Panels into Your Design

If you already have an established outdoor living space but want to increase privacy, you should consider investing in lattice panels. These panels do a great job of allowing natural light into an outdoor space while preventing others from seeing you while you’re lounging or spending time with loved ones. The panels can be attached to pressure-treated lumber posts to ensure they’re secure throughout inclement weather. If you love to enjoy the feeling of sunlight but hate the constant worry about prying eyes, this is a great way to get the best of both worlds. 

4. Hang Outdoor Curtains

While privacy fences and plants are a great way to increase privacy in your yard, they aren’t always a great option for everyone. Sometimes, you might need a less permanent solution to boost privacy. Consider hanging outdoor curtains if you want more privacy in your outdoor living spaces but need a less permanent option. The materials used to create outdoor curtains are more durable than standard curtains, making them resistant to rain, wind, and snow while helping you achieve the privacy levels you’ve dreamed of. 

5. Create an Enclosed Space with a Pergola

For homeowners who want to increase privacy on their patio, porch, or deck, it might be a good idea to consider installing a pergola in your yard. Pergolas do a wonderful job of creating more dedicated outdoor living spaces. This makes them a great addition to yards that don’t already have dedicated spaces. Additionally, you can determine how much overhead sunlight you want, making them a versatile option for many homeowners. No matter what you’re looking for in your yard, a pergola is sure to be a great addition. 

6. Add a Retractable Sun Screen

While you might want to increase privacy in your yard, you may also want an option you can use when you see fit. For homeowners who want some flexibility, consider adding a retractable sun screen or awning to your yard. When you notice neighbors in your yard or when the sun is peering directly into your outdoor living space, you can pull out the screen. When you head inside for the day or want to look out, you can put the screen away and enjoy your view. This is an especially beneficial addition to yards with little to no overhead cover. 

7. Use Large Outdoor Umbrellas

If you have a smaller outdoor living space but are still interested in increasing your privacy, a large outdoor umbrella may be a good addition to your space. For individuals with a small outdoor table, there may be a hole for you to slot the umbrella into. Not only does this increase privacy, but it also provides shade when you are eating outside. You may also purchase an umbrella stand that you can situate in a more convenient location to block the view for your neighbors. 

Increase Privacy with Surface Bella

For homeowners who are interested in installing a pergola, awning, or patio cover on their Greenville property, turn to our team at Surface Bella for support. For years, we’ve helped homeowners create their perfect outdoor living space. From adding custom decks and patios to assisting them to find their ideal porch and patio cover, we’re confident that we have the right yard add-on for your space.

Don’t let prying eyes into your outdoor living space for another day; contact us today and schedule installation. 

When homeowners start planning a bathroom remodeling project, they often think about the more glamorous upgrades, like new tile, increased storage space, and upgraded countertops. While these are the exciting parts of your remodel, there is a far more important upgrade to consider: proper bathroom ventilation. 

While it is often overlooked, proper bathroom ventilation is critical for maintaining a healthy, comfortable, and long-lasting bathroom space. Without ventilation, your investment in this space may go to waste. If you are considering remodeling your bathroom soon, keep reading to learn why you should invest in essential ventilation to protect the space. 

Why Bathroom Ventilation is So Important

Your bathroom is one of the most humid parts of your home. Every time you take a shower or run a bath, moisture is introduced into the air. Without proper ventilation, this moisture has nowhere to escape and can lead to several serious issues in your home, including the following: 

Mold Growth

Mold and mildew love moist, warm environments, making your bathroom prime real estate for these harmful growths. Not only can mold growth damage the surfaces in your bathroom, including grout, paint, and tile, but it can also have an incredibly negative impact on your health. Mold spores can trigger respiratory issues, allergies, and asthma symptoms, making bathroom ventilation an essential part of your bathroom remodeling project. 

Proper ventilation through an exhaust fan or an open window helps reduce the humidity levels in your bathroom, minimizing the risk of mold and mildew development. During your bathroom remodel, installing or upgrading your ventilation system can ensure you maintain a clean, mold-free environment.

Bathroom Material Degradation

Excessive moisture isn’t just a breeding ground for mold. It can also lead to serious damage to your bathroom materials. Over time, high humidity can cause paint to peel, wood baseboards to warp, and metal fixtures to rust. If you’ve just invested in high-end finishes or custom cabinets, the last thing you want is to have them ruined by constant moisture exposure. 

Ensuring that you have adequate bathroom ventilation will help protect your investment and prolong the life of your materials. Investing in this ventilation can also save you from premature repairs down the line. This means with the right ventilation, you can put away the paintbrush and trust that your bathroom is safe from harm’s way. 

Air Quality

Bathrooms are a source of not just moisture but also airborne contaminants. From cleaning chemicals and bathroom sprays to everyday odors, these substances can build up in a stuffy bathroom and affect the air quality in your home. Poor air quality can lead to discomfort, allergic reactions, and even respiratory problems, especially for those with sensitive systems.

Adequate bathroom ventilation systems improve air circulation and remove these pollutants, replacing them with fresh air. This ventilation can make your bathroom a more pleasant and healthier space, particularly in smaller, enclosed bathrooms that don’t get much natural airflow.

Structural Damage

When moisture is allowed to accumulate unchecked, it can seep into your bathroom’s walls, floors, and ceilings. Over time, this can weaken the structural integrity of your home. For example, moisture trapped behind walls can cause drywall to soften and crumble or wooden studs to rot.

In extreme cases, you could even experience ceiling leaks or damage to adjoining rooms. Proper bathroom ventilation is a preventative measure that can save you from expensive repairs down the road. Installing a high-quality exhaust fan during your remodel helps ensure that excess moisture is efficiently removed before it can cause damage.

Ways to Incorporate Ventilation in Your Bathroom Remodel

When remodeling your bathroom, there are a few ways you can incorporate ventilation into your plan, including: 

1. Exhaust Fans

Exhaust fans are the most common type of bathroom ventilation, and for good reason. They effectively draw moisture and odors out of the bathroom and vent them outside, maintaining a dry and pleasant environment. During your remodel, consider choosing a properly sized exhaust fan for your bathroom. Exhaust fans have various features, including timers, humidity sensors, and integrated lights. You might also consider quieter models, especially if your bathroom is near a bedroom or living space.

2. Windows

A window might provide sufficient bathroom ventilation if the space doesn’t get much use. Opening the window while showering allows moisture to escape, naturally reducing humidity levels. However, windows aren’t as effective as exhaust fans in consistently maintaining optimal ventilation, especially in larger or high-use bathrooms. If your bathroom remodel includes adding or enlarging a window, choose materials that can withstand frequent exposure to moisture, such as vinyl or fiberglass. 

3. Heated Towel Rails and Radiators

Though not a primary source of bathroom ventilation, heated towel rails and radiators can help reduce moisture levels. Providing gentle warmth, they help to evaporate water more quickly, especially on towels, which are often a source of retained moisture. These can be a valuable addition to your remodel, both for their functional benefits and their aesthetic appeal. Additionally, they can bring a luxurious feel to your newly renovated space. 

Your Bathroom Remodel Partner in Greenville, SC

Bathroom ventilation isn’t just a “nice-to-have” feature during a remodel—it’s a critical element that protects your home from moisture damage, mold growth, and poor air quality. While it may not be the most glamorous aspect of your bathroom renovation, investing in the right ventilation system will provide long-term benefits.

If you’re looking for a team in the Greenville, SC, area to help you prepare for your upcoming bathroom remodeling project and plan proper bathroom ventilation, turn to our team at Surface Bella for support. With years of experience helping homeowners design the perfect bathroom for any space, we’re confident we can do the same for you. 

If you would like to schedule an appointment to begin a bathroom remodel or have questions, don’t hesitate to contact us today. 

When considering a bathroom remodel, one of the most important choices you can make is deciding on the type of flooring. Vinyl has long been a popular choice due to its affordability and ease of installation. However, tile floors are often seen as a more luxurious and durable option. So, should you upgrade from vinyl to tile floors in your bathroom?

At Surface Bella, our team understands how important it is for homeowners to make the best choice for their lifestyle and home. But, with so many variables, it can be difficult to choose between investing in new vinyl flooring and upgrading to tile. If you want to learn more about each flooring option and whether tile is best for your home, keep reading.

The Pros and Cons of Vinyl Flooring

The Pros

• They’re Inexpensive: If you are trying to upgrade your bathroom, but you’re working on a limited budget, investing in new vinyl flooring is a great way to do so. These floors are, on average, between $2 and $6 per square foot. Most bathrooms are only about 30 to 40 square feet. This smaller size means that, for as little as $80, you can upgrade your bathroom floors. 
• They’re Quick to Install: When you’re installing new floors in your bathroom, you may be looking for a floor that is quick to install. If you don’t have several days to install floors, you might want to consider vinyl. Vinyl floors only take one to two days to install, meaning you can transform the space over a quick weekend. 
• They’re Water-Resistant: The most important aspect of your bathroom flooring is that it can withstand any wet conditions it may come in contact with. Vinyl flooring is resistant to any water it comes in contact with, maintaining its appearance whether water splashes out from your shower or you’re dealing with a leak. 

The Cons

• They’re Difficult to Remove: While you might not immediately want to remove your vinyl floorings, the day may come when you decide they don’t fit your space anymore. When that day comes, you may come to find that they can be difficult and time-consuming to remove, as the adhesive likely won’t want to budge. 
• They’re Hard to Repair: Vinyl flooring isn’t the most resilient flooring on the market. Without any resiliency, you may find that your floors are damaged when things are dropped on these floors. If this occurs, repairs can be difficult, if not impossible to perform, and you may have to replace the entire floor to remedy the problem. 
• They Don’t Boost Home Value: When you’re making upgrades to your home, you are likely looking to make upgrades that also boost its value. Due to their lower price, vinyl flooring isn’t a great choice for boosting your home’s value. Many potential buyers may even see these floors as a downfall, making them a poor choice if you’re trying to sell. 

The Pros and Cons of Tile Floors

The Pros

• They’re Incredibly Durable: When you decide to replace the floors in your bathroom, you don’t want to choose a flooring that is fragile. Unlike some other flooring, tile floors are incredibly durable, standing up to whatever foot traffic, drops, and spills they may come in contact with. If you’ve dealt with floor damage before, tile floors are a great choice. 
• They Increase Your Home’s Value: If you’re going to invest time and money into renovating your home, you want to ensure you get the most out of this investment. All of the reasons you love tile floors are the same reason potential homebuyers lovet them as well. When you invest in these floors, trust that you’ll notice an increase in your home’s value. 
• They’re Easy to Clean: The last thing you want after installing a new floor is to spend hours on end trying to keep them looking their best. When you invest in tile floors for your home, you can trust that they’re easy to care for. Often, you can sweep up any larger debris and mop as necessary to keep them looking their best. 

The Cons

• They’re Expensive: While you have likely been preparing for your renovation for a while, you may still have a limited budget. If you choose to invest in tile floors for your home, you may burn through a substantial amount of this budget in ways you hadn’t previously expected to. On average, tile floors cost $8 to $44 per square foot, which can quickly add up. 
• The Grout Can Be High-Maintenance: If you’ve ever had tile floors in your home before, you know how frustrating it can be to deal with grout. It can be difficult to clean, and may chip over time, requiring replacement. If you are looking for an entirely low-maintenance floor, investing in tile might not be best. 
• The Installation is Long: Installing tile floors isn’t as simple as placing these floors down. The installation includes applying mortar, properly spacing the tiles, and installing grout. If you expect this to be done quickly, or need it to be done quickly, you may be disappointed when that isn’t the case. 

Is It Time to Upgrade to Tile Floors? 

Upgrading from vinyl to tile floors in your bathroom is a decision that should be based on your budget, timeline, and personal preferences. While vinyl offers affordability and ease of installation, tile floors provide unmatched durability and ease of maintenance. If you’re looking for a long-term investment that can enhance the beauty and value of your home, tile is an excellent choice. However, if you’re working with a tighter budget or need a quick update, vinyl can still provide a stylish and functional flooring option.

Expert Bathroom Upgrades from Surface Bella

If you are ready to begin your bathroom remodel or you want to invest in tile floors in this space, don’t hesitate to reach out to our team at Surface Bella. With years of experience helping homeowners across the Greenville, SC, area achieve their dream bathroom, we’re confident that we can do the same for you. We can help you find the perfect flooring for your space, perfectly matching existing styles, paint colors, metal finishes, and more.

If you are ready to start a new tiling project or if you have any questions for us, don’t hesitate to contact our team today!