Exhaust ventilation in your bathroom design

It might not be the most glamorous aspect of your sparkling new bathroom, but good exhaust ventilation is essential if you want to keep the room sparkling and healthy.

Condensation causes mould and mildew, which is not only unsightly, but can also seriously affect the health of your family.

Natural exhaust ventilation for the bathroom

The best form of ventilation is free and natural – an open window and plenty of natural sunshine will go a long way to keeping your bathroom dry and airy. For an open window to be truly effective, though, it should open from the top; typical wind-out windows that open from the bottom are not up to the task.

Bathroom fans

If your bathroom doesn't have a window, or you find that an open window alone isn't enough to keep things fog free, then you'll need an exhaust fan. There are several types on the market, from simple wall-mounted fans that vent directly outdoors, to convenient and cost-efficient light/heater/fan combinations.

Whichever type you choose, the first thing you need to work out is how big and powerful your fan needs to be. An effective exhaust fan should be able to 'change' the air in your bathroom at least 10 times an hour to remove steam and odours.

To work out the size of exhaust fan you need, multiply the length, width and height of your bathroom to get its volume in cubic metres, then multiply that figure by a minimum of 10 air changes per hour. This will give you the ideal air-flow range in cubic metres. For example, a bathroom measuring 1.5m x 2m x 2.4m requires an exhaust fan that creates a minimum of 72 cubic metres per hour  of airflow.

If yours is a ceiling-mounted fan, remember that moisture sucked into your roof cavity can damage the timbers and insulation. To avoid this, choose a ceiling fan that is ducted outside through a roof canal or wall vent. There are many good all-in-one fan, grill and duct kits now available that are simple to install and will save you money.

From top to bottom

Finally, for any exhaust fan to work properly, you will need an under-cut under your bathroom door to allow air in; and for best results, position your fan away from the source of steam so the air is pulled through the room.

To find out how you can get the right exhaust ventilation for your home, have a talk with a ventilation expert in your area today: