Oakwood is the most distinctive bath market in the Dayton area because of its pre-1940 housing stock. Original Oakwood baths are typically small (one or two per home in the older Tudor and Colonial Revival homes), with period tile (subway, hex, geometric mosaic), original cast-iron tubs (often claw-foot), pedestal sinks, and tile or marble wainscoting. About 80% of our Oakwood clients want period-appropriate restorations — preserving the architectural character while modernizing waterproofing, plumbing, and fixtures.
We source period-correct subway tile, hex floor, claw-foot tubs (or substantial Victorian-style alcove tubs), nickel and chrome cross-handle fixtures. Master suite additions are common in Oakwood — many of the original homes had only one or two baths total, so creating a primary suite from existing bedroom or attic space is a frequent project type.
The Schantz Park Historic District requires Historic Preservation Board review for any exterior-visible work; interior work flows through Oakwood's standard building permit process. We've worked extensively in the Far Hills corridor, Schantz Park, the Forrer-Triangle-Shafor avenues area, and the streets around Smith Memorial Gardens.
You don’t have to explain it—we’ve seen it all:
You’re not being picky. A bad bathroom wastes time, energy, and peace of mind every single day. You deserve better than that.
Keep the existing footprint and replace the surfacesNew vanity, toilet, faucet, and shower fixturesFresh tile on the floor (shower walls optional)Updated lighting, mirror, and hardwareFresh paint and finish refreshTypically 1 to 2 weeks on site
Same footprint or light layout reconfigurationCustom tile shower with glass panelsHigher-tier vanity with quartz top and integrated sinkNew tile flooring and upgraded wainscotingImproved lighting, ventilation, and storageTypically 3 to 4 weeks on site
New layout with bump-outs where space allowsFreestanding tub plus walk-in custom tile showerDouble vanity with drawer banks and linen storageHeated tile floors and premium fixtures and finishesFull plumbing, electrical, and ventilation updatesTypically 5 to 8 weeks on site
Demolition, disposal, and prep work Framing, plumbing, electrical, and ventilation updates Tile installation with proper substrate and waterproofing Vanity, top, plumbing fixtures and accessories installation Punch list and final walkthrough so nothing is left “almost done”We start with a quick call to learn about your current bathroom, what’s not working, and your budget range. If we’re a good fit, we’ll schedule a time for you to visit our Kettering showroom to look at tile, vanities, countertops, and fixtures.
We measure your bathroom, check structural realities, and create layout options. You’ll work with our team to choose tile, vanity cabinets, countertops, plumbing fixtures, lighting, flooring, and accessories that fit your style and routine.
We put together a clear proposal that outlines:
You’ll know how long your bathroom will be out of commission before we start.
We handle demo, plumbing and electrical updates, waterproofing, tile work, vanity installation, and finishing details. We protect adjacent areas and clean up as we go, keeping you updated at each stage.
We walk the new bathroom with you, check function (drains, valves, lights, fans), and make sure the details are right—grout lines, caulk joints, doors and drawers, and all the little things you’ll notice later if they’re wrong.
We start with a quick call to learn about your current bathroom, what’s not working, and your budget range. If we’re a good fit, we’ll schedule a time for you to visit our Kettering showroom to look at tile, vanities, countertops, and fixtures.
We measure your bathroom, check structural realities, and create layout options. You’ll work with our team to choose tile, vanity cabinets, countertops, plumbing fixtures, lighting, flooring, and accessories that fit your style and routine.
We put together a clear proposal that outlines:
You’ll know how long your bathroom will be out of commission before we start.
We handle demo, plumbing and electrical updates, waterproofing, tile work, vanity installation, and finishing details. We protect adjacent areas and clean up as we go, keeping you updated at each stage.
We walk the new bathroom with you, check function (drains, valves, lights, fans), and make sure the details are right—grout lines, caulk joints, doors and drawers, and all the little things you’ll notice later if they’re wrong.
Take the next step
Our Wedi-certified team will assess your bathroom, listen to your priorities, and send a transparent line-item proposal within 5 business days. From tub-to-shower conversions to full primary-bath redesigns, we deliver craftsmanship you can trust for decades.
Oakwood bathrooms come with a unique constraint: they're inside 90+ year-old homes that homeowners chose precisely because of the period detail. The bathroom can't look 'remodeled' — it has to look like it always belonged in the house. That changes everything about how we plan the work.
We've worked in enough Oakwood bathrooms to keep a small library of period-appropriate fixtures, hardware, and tile patterns on hand at our Smithville Road showroom — bring a photo or a fragment, we'll match it.
Pretty tile on top of bad waterproofing is a time bomb. We use proper pans and waterproofing systems behind the walls so your shower is built to last, not just to look good for listing photos.
Choosing tile, vanities, tops, and flooring from random racks is overwhelming. In our showroom you can:
We think about where towels go, how tall you are, what you actually use daily, and how the room will feel at 6:30 AM—not just how it will look on Instagram.
If you’re planning to sell in a few years, we’ll steer you toward choices that feel elevated now and still make sense for future buyers in Kettering, Dayton, Oakwood, Centerville, or Beavercreek.
Pretty tile on top of bad waterproofing is a time bomb. We use proper pans and waterproofing systems behind the walls so your shower is built to last, not just to look good for listing photos.
Choosing tile, vanities, tops, and flooring from random racks is overwhelming. In our showroom you can:
We think about where towels go, how tall you are, what you actually use daily, and how the room will feel at 6:30 AM—not just how it will look on Instagram.
If you’re planning to sell in a few years, we’ll steer you toward choices that feel elevated now and still make sense for future buyers in Kettering, Dayton, Oakwood, Centerville, or Beavercreek.
Turn your primary bath into a real retreat with a custom tile shower, improved lighting, double vanity, and finishes that actually feel like your personality—not a builder catalog.
Update the bathrooms your family and guests use every day with new tubs or showers, tile, vanities, and fixtures that are easy to clean and hold up over time.
Rip out old fiberglass inserts or dated alcove tubs and replace them with walk-in tile showers, niches, benches, and glass that fits the space and your mobility needs.
Curbless showers, grab bars, wider entries, better lighting, and slip-resistant surfaces—so you can safely use your bathroom now and as you age, without it feeling like a hospital.
It’s normal to ask, “Should we really sink this much into a bathroom, or should we just move?”
That’s exactly why we offer our “Stay, Sell, or Switch” Strategy Session.
We’ll help you figure out:
Whether it makes more sense to:
You don’t need more guessing. You need a clear recommendation backed by design, construction, and real numbers.
See How the Stay, Sell, or Switch Session Works
See How the Stay, Sell, or Switch Session Works
Oakwood is a preservation-minded community and bathroom remodels here need a different mindset than newer builds. We coordinate with city zoning when needed, source period-appropriate tile (subway in 3×6, hex floor mosaic, marble basketweave), and rebuild claw-foot tubs in place when homeowners want to keep them. Plumbing in pre-war homes often needs full rough-in replacement — we plan for it from day one.
Prefer to talk it through first?
937-938-6911
937-938-6911
Oakwood is one of Ohio’s best-preserved early-20th-century communities, and its bathrooms are a specialty of ours. The housing is strong pre-1940 stock — Tudors, Colonial Revivals, and Cape Cods — around the Schantz Park Historic District and the boulevards along Far Hills, Triangle, Shafor, and Forrer avenues. These baths are often small, tiled floor to ceiling, and untouched for decades.
Behind Oakwood’s plaster walls you often find original wiring and framing that predate modern standards. Our up-front assessment catches all of it before the quote, so a period bath gets modern, waterproof function without losing its character.
From the Journal
Pricing data, design playbooks, and project case studies from RA Cooks Renovations.
From the Journal
Pricing data, design playbooks, and project case studies from RA Cooks Renovations.
Take the next step
Our NARI-certified team will measure your space, listen to your goals, and send a transparent line-item proposal within 5 business days. No pressure, no surprises — just a clear plan for the project you’ve been picturing.
Free Bathroom Remodeling Guide
A homeowner planning guide covering tub-to-shower conversions, vanities, layout changes, and the decisions that drive the budget on Miami Valley bath remodels.
Download the Free Guide
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About 8 miles from our Kettering showroom — see the live route below.
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About 3 miles from our Kettering showroom
Practically next door. We do a lot of work in Oakwood's pre-war Tudors and brick colonials — bringing modern kitchens and baths into homes built in the 1920s and 30s without losing the character.
15 pages · CertainTeed Integrity Roof System · the cheap-roof math, plus a $1,000 design credit if you book within 14 days.
