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Discussion Forum

Bathtub & Shower Soffits

TooManyToys | Posted in General Discussion on November 10, 2009 05:01am

In our two bathrooms both the shower and bathtub have soffits over them. There are no vents or lights in either, and I’ve seen lots of homes over the years with and without soffits.

Is there a heating or insulation reason for these? Or is there a architectural reason?

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Replies

  1. migraine | Nov 10, 2009 05:15am | #1

    My last job, we used a arched soffit over the tub for architectural reasons(9' ceiling)  The same as the home I live in now, built by someone else.

    In the past we have used soffits to hide plumbing in the baths directly above, and for HVAC ducting between floors. 

    Only way to know for sure is it to cut into them or find a set of plans from the builder, or if your lucky, the county.

    1. TooManyToys | Nov 10, 2009 03:57pm | #3

      Actually the best way was to be there when they built them 25 years ago. I was and there is nothing in there, it's just dead space.

      1. User avater
        PeterJ | Nov 10, 2009 07:17pm | #4

        I think they're a vestige from many years ago when someone figured out that having cabs run to the tall ceilings was kinda useless, so they build them down via applied soffits, later they built then in. They then morphed into an achitectural element and now some fashion forward folks says to have those way tall uppers again...go figure!

        If there's nothing in them, do what you will...

          

        Everything will be okay in the end.  If it's not okay, it's not the end. 

        1. DanH | Nov 10, 2009 08:38pm | #5

          There is a valid reason for the soffit over a shower. A high ceiling leads to a stronger draft when the shower is running, which both is chilling to the occupant and draws the shower curtain in in a undesirable way. The soffit lowers the ceiling (obviously), resulting in less draft and a more comfortable shower.It also, of course, makes the area seem more "cozy" to some people, an attribute that is apparently not appreciated as much these days, in the era of 700 sq ft bathrooms.
          A strong nation, like a strong person, can afford to be gentle, firm, thoughtful, and restrained. It can afford to extend a helping hand to others. It's a weak nation, like a weak person, that must behave with bluster and boasting and rashness and other signs of insecurity. --Jimmy Carter

          1. User avater
            PeterJ | Nov 10, 2009 10:02pm | #6

            I should've read mo' betta. Was thinking cabinet soffits which isn't what was asked about. Seems like it would make a good place for a remote fan inlet, although I've never seen one. 

            Everything will be okay in the end.  If it's not okay, it's not the end. 

  2. DanH | Nov 10, 2009 06:05am | #2

    > Is there a heating or insulation reason for these? Or is there a architectural reason?

    Yeah, they create a hole that allows heat to escape into the attic.

    A strong nation, like a strong person, can afford to be gentle, firm, thoughtful, and restrained. It can afford to extend a helping hand to others. It's a weak nation, like a weak person, that must behave with bluster and boasting and rashness and other signs of insecurity. --Jimmy Carter
  3. Hudson Valley Carpenter | Nov 11, 2009 03:43pm | #7

    I've added them to remodels, just to change the look of the bathroom.  When a single course of 4" tile is set on the face, the soffit becomes a dimensional feature.  

     



    Edited 11/11/2009 1:15 pm by Hudson Valley Carpenter

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