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Bathroom Selection Strategy
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Selecting just the right fixtures is an economic balancing act: You need to carefully weigh your perceptions of value on one side of the scale vs. total costs on the other.
One way to upgrade a bath without busting the budget is to mix and match. Installing a high-end toilet and lavatory alongside a midrange tub, for example, can make the entire bathroom seem high-end.
 Speaking of quality levels, let’s take a closer look at the three categories of fixtures offered by Eljer
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• Competitive lines are the way to go when you’re look-ing for no-frills economy. There’s nothing truly inferior about competitive-level fixtures. They work fine, look alright, and last, well, almost as long as higher-priced versions. The main problem with competitive fixtures is that most buyers have learned to spot them and expect something better. They know that an enameled steel tub or lavatory, for example, isn’t as easy to clean and is more prone to chipping and rust than a higher-priced unit.
Another shortcoming with competitive fixtures is that they give you a more limited color selection — and color, as we say again and again, sells baths.
In a sense, “competitive” fixtures aren’t really that competitive any more.
Competitive lines have their uses — in a basement or mudroom third bath, for instance — but shy away from them for baths that serve main living areas.
• Mid-range lines account for the bulk of fixture sales. These units are typically designed to meet architectural and engineering standards for use in public and commercial buildings; normally they offer maximum durability and service life with minimum maintenance.
Mid-range fixtures, especially Eljer’s, also boast a very wide range of color choices. As we mentioned above, don’t be afraid to combine mid-range fixtures with a high-end accent or two. Just make sure you stay with the same company. Colors differ significantly from one manufacturer to  another.
• High-end fixtures give you a chance to make a statement about the baths in your homes. Not only are high- end lines state-of-the-art in quality and design appeal, they also include the widest choice of colors and finishes. High-end Eljer fixtures are available in standard colors, plus premium hues. Eljer also offers a variety of decorative patterned china products as well as handcrafted teakwood, mahogany, and precious metals.
Selecting Lavatories
Adjacent to a mirror or mirrors, well-lit, and frequently used, lavatories become the focal points in most baths. It’s important to choose lavatories that are practical as well as pretty. Here are the pros and cons of your seven choices.
 • Under-counter lavatories mount beneath the counter. The joint where the basin meets the underside of the counter presents a cleaning problem.
• Integral lavatory-counter units, made of acrylic or synthetic marble, are smooth, seamless, and easy to care for. Sizes, styles, and color choices are limited, however.
• Wall-hung lavatories save space but have a humble, bare-pipe look about them.
• Pedestal lavatories have made a big comeback in recent years, with new Euro- style designs that look as if they came from a sculpture gallery. Pedestal units cost more than the other types, but you save some money because you don’t need a vanity with them. Be sure, though, to provide handy, nearby storage.
• Flush-mount lavatories require a metal edging to hold them in place. Typically made of enameled steel, this type is popular and inexpensive, but it’s difficult to clean the junctures between the rim, countertop, and lavatory.
• Self-rimming lavatories clamp to the counter from underneath, with no rim above to collect grime. Properly sealed, these offer easy cleaning.
• Integral-spout lavatories — an innovation from Eljer eliminates another cleaning bother, because the spout and basin are cast in one piece, with factory-installed faucets, there’s no troublesome joint between the spout and deck. One-piece lavatories have lots of sculptural appeal, too.
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