Making bathroom plans a breeze

If you're upgrading the bathroom plans for your family, chances are you're also thinking about ensuring there's good ventilation in there as well.

Open a window

The best form of ventilation is natural - an open window will go a long way to keeping your bathroom dry and airy. But for an open window to be truly effective it should open from the top; typical wind-out windows that open from the bottom are not as efficient at allowing steam to escape.

Let there be light

In addition to good ventilation, where possible ensure your bathroom receives plenty of natural sunlight. Sunlight not only helps to keep your bathroom dry, but its ultra-violet component also inhibits the growth of mould and mildew.

One size doesn't fit all

Whether you choose a simple wall-mounted fan or a ceiling-mounted light/heater/fan combination, the type of exhaust fan you choose will depend a lot on the size of your room. To keep your bathroom dry, your fan will need to 'change' the air in the room at least 10 times an hour.

Measure it up

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 (up to 20 air changes per hour). This will give you the ideal air-flow range in cubic metres.

Remember your roof space

If you have a ceiling-mounted fan, remember that moisture sucked into your roof cavity can damage your timbers and insulation. To avoid this, make sure your ceiling fan is ducted outside through a roof canal or wall vent.

What goes out must come in

For any exhaust fan to work properly, you'll 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.

Contact a bathroom renovator in your area to find out how you can make sure your bathroom plans incorporate ventilation: