Best place 4 a bathroom fan exhaust vent
Tark
| Posted in Construction Techniques on
Hi Everyone,
Remodeling an old bathroom with a window on tub side wall. I’d like to add a bathroom fan. Because there is another apartment above this bathroom, venting to the roof is out of the question. The easiest exit and placement for the exhaust vent appears to be out the side of the building.
Due to the way the ceiling joists run, the easiest way to place the exhaust vent would place it on the same wall as the window (possibly just above it). Generally speaking, are there issues with placing the vent near the window?
Thanks,
Tark
Replies
tark
I wouldnt want to vent near a window, what you going to do if you want that window open?
There may be some code about venting near a window, seams as though there is but thats not my area so wait and somebody else will let you know.
Doug
Thanks Doug@es!
I figured that being near a window is not the best option. It's a casement window, so perhaps if it where placed on the hinge-side if that would make a difference. The other exterior wall would require cutting through ceiling joists, and I imagine that is less desirable.
Anyone else?
Tark
its late, I'm sure you'll get more tomarrow.
I would guess that even with a crank-out you will still get a vacume effect.
Maybe make a call to building dept in the morn and run it by them, even if your not getting a permit you can still ask them.
does the window have a header above it,sure could make for some tough cutting if it does.one of the toughest problems i have had on a 2 story remodel was getting them fans located and vented. good luck larry
2nd thought i have heard that they make a fan with a charcol filter that doesn't need vented for odors. larry
I don`t believe there are any issues with exhaust fans venting near by a window.
I`d be more concerned with the fan being inside the shower. Be certain the model you`re planned on using is designed for such. Is it possible to locate the fan outside the shower and run duct inside a soffet out to window wall? Not ideal aesthetically.....but functionally sound.
J. D. Reynolds
Home Improvements
"DO IT RIGHT, DO IT ONCE"
The code book I have is about 8 years old, but it says that it should not be within 3 feet from an opening or the property line. So I would take this to mean that it has to be 3 feet from the open part of your window. If you have to go out over the window you could put in a fixed window or a double hung window with a fixed top sash.
Dan
"Life is what happens when you are making other plans." - John Lennon
Edited 6/4/2004 3:46 am ET by dan_lott
dan_lott,
Sounds like just the info I needed.
Thanks,
Tark
"The code book I have is about 8 years old, but it says that it should not be within 3 feet from an opening or the property line. So I would take this to mean that it has to be 3 feet from the open part of your window."
Dan.
The "Code Book" aside, it probably also says that if you have a window in the bath, you don't even need a fan. Now even if the window is open and the fan is blowin' stinky air back in, at least it's diluted somewhat. 9 times outa' 10 the window will probably be closed anyway.
If it were me, I'd run the vent duct in a chase against the wall and ceiling and out the exterior wall, regardless of how close it is to the window.
Jon
If it were me, I'd run the vent duct in a chase against the wall and ceiling and out the exterior wall, regardless of how close it is to the window.
Thats exactly what I was trying to convey....your wording is much clearer.J. D. Reynolds
Home Improvements
"DO IT RIGHT, DO IT ONCE"
WorkshopJon,
I might be misunderstanding something. ..Why build a chase rather then placing the duct between the joists?
Tark
I would also run the vent out over the window and not really worry about the code. I was just relaying what the code said. I am sure that the window would be closed 99 percent of the time and when it was open you would probably not run the fan. And you are right, if you have a window that can be opened you do not need a fan.
Dan"Life is what happens when you are making other plans." - John Lennon
"I might be misunderstanding something. ..Why build a chase rather then placing the duct between the joists?"
Tark,
I was under the impression you were trying to run the duct PERPENDICULAR to the joists. If it will fit into a bay, then yes, by all means go that route. If not, and you need to box it in, it can be made very small with minimal framing.
Jon
I alway thought the best place for a bath fan would be if you could build it into the toliet seat, get the sucking action around the source.
JAYBIRD,
Thank you for the info. The fan would be placed in the center of the room. Because of the way the joists run, running the venting just outside the wall on the other side of the tub was the easiest exit (minus the window being so close).
The only other exterior wall would require me to cut holes through the ceiling joists and I really am concerned about weakening the structure. Joists are 2x10's. Can I safely cut into to two of them to vent to another wall?
Tark
Perhaps this unit would help:
http://www.tamtech.com/preventilator2.htm
Any compelling reason to keep the window? I'm in the process of remodeling a bathroom for a client. She had a window in the shower area, and wanted it gone. We installed a Panasonic fan/light/night light combo over the tub, powered by its own 20a GFCI breaker, and she's just thrilled. BTW, when I opened the wall to remove the window, I had to reframe part of the wall due to years of leakage. Windows in showers will leak, it's only a matter of time.
Taking the window out would require stucco repair on the exterior and of course matching the texture, painting the exterior wall, and things start cascading from there. The window is high enough that it's not in direct contact with water, plus natural light is always nice.
Although a fan is not required, having one is a definite plus. I'm tearing into the walls tomorrow, so I'll see what other options open up.
Tark