The most fun part of planning a Chicago bathroom remodel is choosing all of the gorgeous fixtures and upgrades that make your dream design a reality. People love to choose the bath tub and shower design, or their countertops and cabinetry. Even simple things like hardware and light fixtures are fun to select. However, there are some important decisions that have nothing at all to do with your visible bathroom options and upgrades.
Believe it or not, selecting the right exhaust fan is an important decision that will affect your interior comfort and indoor air quality, and will protect the health of your family and your home's structural integrity.
Your Bathroom Exhaust Fan is an Important Part of Your Home's Structural Health
All those luxuriously steamy baths and showers create a fair amount of extra moisture in the home. If the moisture isn't vented properly, it accumulates inside which shifts the humidity balance, creating an environment just right for mold and mildew spores to flourish. Mold and mildew growth is bad for the structural integrity of your home, as it causes drywall and wood to rot. It is also dangerous for your health because unaddressed mold and mildew infestations can exacerbate allergies and can eventually lead to serious respiratory issues.
The following tips can help you choose an bathroom exhaust fan that is adequate for your family's needs. Talk to you contractor before your Chicago bathroom remodel gets started so any changes to the interior spaces of your home can be done before the finishing work is complete.
Things to Consider When Selecting an Exhaust Fan for Your Chicago Bathroom Remodel
- Do I need an exhaust fan? Yes, you do. Even if your bathroom has a window, an exhaust fan should still be installed. A cracked window is only effective if the air is circulating in the right direction and the humidity levels outside the home are lower than those inside the bathroom. A rainy winter day, or a hot humid summer day, may cause the moisture to remain trapped inside.
- Where does my current fan vent? Many house plans call for bathroom exhaust fans to vent through the ceiling joists and up into the attic. This is a bad idea. All you're doing is venting the moisture into a more enclosed, dark environment that is even better for mold and mildew growth. Your exhaust fans should be vented to the exterior of your home, ensuring none of the moisture is trapped indoors.
- What type of exhaust fan do we need? The type and size of your fan will depend on the size of your bathroom. Your bathroom designer and/or contractor can help you choose the right size for your needs. Invest in a high-quality fan to make sure your bathroom is vented correctly. We use Banner Plumbing and Crawford Supply to guarantee high-quality fans for our clients.
Contact Kitchens & Baths Unlimited and we'll take care of all the little extras for your Chicago bathroom remodel.
