Hot stuff! Bathroom heating dilemmas solved
WHILE THERE ARE LOTS OF LOVELY THINGS ABOUT THE COOLER MONTHS, A COLD, DAMP BATHROOM ISN’T ONE OF THEM. OUR EXPERTS SHARE THEIR INSIGHTS ON HOW TO TRANSFORM YOUR SPACE INTO A HEATED WINTER HAVEN
As your bathroom floor hits sub-Arctic temperatures underfoot and steamy showers get longer and longer, one of the hardest-working rooms in your home needs to be toasty and warm, while fending off the dreaded mould and mildew that can creep up on this space. Luckily, if your bathroom is more brrrr than bliss, there are still plenty of ways you can keep this zone warm and dry. Here’s how to beat the chill and choose the best solutions for your bathroom, budget and needs.
Question time
First, consider how damp your bathroom is and how cold it gets in the winter months. Is it sun-drenched or in a dark corner of your home? Then, take a look at the size of the space and what heating or ventilation you think you are missing. Another question to ask yourself is whether you’re doing a full reno or just want to retrofit with a few extra elements, as this will affect what you can do.
Here comes the sun
An over-sized window is a sustainable and eco-friendly way to heat a bathroom with the sun’s rays and allow steam to escape. “Louvres are extremely popular because they are dual purpose with multiple angled openings that can also offer privacy,” explains Alanna Smit, principal designer at Alanna Smit Structural Interiors, who says other good options include sliding, casement or sash windows. Just make sure whatever you choose can be left open in all weather. If you can’t access the great outdoors via a window, a skylight is the next best thing and is easy to install with the help of a builder or carpenter, says Alanna.
Undercover agent
The luxury of underfloor heating keeps your toes toasty and prevents any drainage or sealing issues from cropping up. There are two types – an electric element and hydronic heating (this uses heated water moved through pipes). Alanna’s a fan of hydronic for a new build. “This can be far more sustainable than electric,” she says. “It can also go under so many different types of flooring substrates so it can run throughout the entire home.” If you’re doing a reno, you can only install an electric element. One benefit is that it’s very affordable, from as little as $300. However, it costs more to run. In contrast, the upfront cost for the hydronic system is higher but the running costs are lower.
Divide and conquer
As well as heating your bathroom zone, you also need to combat extra moisture build-up that is worse during winter. Letting in air through the window is a good first step but you’ll probably be less keen to do this when it’s chilly outside and it works better combined with an exhaust fan. “If you have a well-ventilated roof space you can vent into the roof cavity,” says Monique Cheung, senior product manager at home appliance brand IXL. “If it’s limited, you’ll need to duct it to an external air unit.” So ensure your roof space is big enough before you invest. >
“WE’RE MAKING MORE OF feature A OF SOME OF OUR fittings BATHROOM THAT WE’VE TRIED TO GET RID OF IN THE PAST 10 YEARS”
~ ALANNA SMIT, ALANNA SMIT STRUCTURAL INTERIORS
Hardworking heroes
Cover all your bases at once by installing a three-in-one heat, light and exhaust unit, which is easy to retrofit in the bathroom ceiling. If you’ve not purchased one of these in a while you might be surprised by today’s good-looking options. Go for a custom set-up if you’d prefer your heat and fan in different spots. That way you you can have the luxury of a hot, steamy shower and a warm spotlight above in your towel-off zone. If you have an open shower, you’ll need two fans.
Wonder walls
Another way to cushion the shock when you step out of the shower is to have a warm towel greet you that has been on a heated towel rail (right). This can also be retrofitted and costs from as little as $100. While there are many configurations, designer Alanna says a vertical rail is a must for a kids bathroom. “You are never going to see the towels folded in half and in half again and hung over a ladder – the cleaner will do it, you will do it, the kids will not do it,” she says.
Fan favourite
Need something a little extra? If you live in a particularly frosty area, a wall heater can help take the edge off. There are two options – a fan heater, which costs $100 to $400 and gives you a quick burst of heat, or a convection one that is $300 to $500 and is more efficient but needs to be set on a timer as it takes a while to warm up. If your bathroom walls are tiled (as left), Alanna recommends installing a separate electric element behind. And, no matter what you’re installing, always check with a professional to make sure it is appropriate for your situation and will be safe.
“IN A SMALL BATHROOM, DON’T UNDERESTIMATE passive heat THE POWER OF FROM A TOWEL RAIL OR THE HUMBLE HEAT LAMP” ~ KARINA MACHADO, ACTING DEPUTY EDITOR, HOME BEAUTIFUL
sanctuary, “YOUR BATHROOM IS A SO OPT FOR SLIMLINE HEATING OPTIONS THAT DISCREETLY BLEND IN WITHOUT AFFECTING THE AESTHETIC” ~ VICTORIA KINGSBURY, SENIOR FEATURES EDITOR, HOME BEAUTIFUL