Page 15 - Advance Plumbing and Heating Ultimate Bathroom Planning Guide

STYLE GUIDE
Lighting & Ventilation
A good lighting plan will make your bathroom really shine, and efficient ventilation will help ensure healthy indoor air quality. Here’s what you need to know when choosing light fixtures and bath fans.
LIGHTING
In recent years bathrooms have become more than just utilitarian spaces. Now they are luxurious rooms for recharg- ing and relaxing. As such, they need an efficient lighting plan that includes task lighting in targeted areas and overall lighting to set the sophisticated mood. Here are the most important components of a good lighting plan:
1. TASK LIGHTING
Plan to include hardworking task lighting at the vanities, where much of the grooming tasks are done. Instead of installing recessed ceiling fixtures that cast shadows on the face, opt for vertical fixtures or sconces on either side of the mirror. If space doesn’t allow lighting on both sides of the mirror, you can mount lights directly to the mirror or opt for strip lighting above the mirror that evenly distributes light over the hair and face.
Also plan to include task lighting in the shower and tub areas; the light should be bright enough to ease cleaning and shaving tasks (and allow you to read shampoo labels). Select recessed downlights designed for use in wet areas. If you plan to read in the tub, consider including an adjustable accent light aimed at the tub. If you’ll have a separate toilet compartment, plan to include a single recessed downlight or surface fixture in this area as well.
2. AMBIENT LIGHTING
This type of lighting provides general illumination for the room and substitutes for natural lighting when it’s not available. Commonly, a surface-mounted ceiling light is used in the center of the room, but a pendant light or chandelier can provide mood lighting and additional drama. You can also add a gentle glow around the perimeter of the room with cove lighting. In this scenario, rope lights are hidden behind a molding installed several inches below the ceiling.
3. ACCENT LIGHTING
If you plan to include a favorite piece of artwork or other cherished object in your bath, consider highlighting it with a small recessed spotlight. This technique can also bring extra attention to a custom sink or beautiful tilework.
VENTILATION
Bath fans are especially important in today’s airtight homes. They help keep indoor moisture levels down and prevent the growth of mold and mildew. When you shop for a new fan, you’ll see they feature different airflow capacities, measured in cubic feet per minute (cfm). The Home Ventilating Institute recom- mends that fans should have airflow of 1 cfm for every square foot of bathroom space. For bathrooms larger than 100 square feet, add 50 cfm for each toilet, shower, and bathtub, and 100 cfm for a whirlpool tub. The noise level for bath fans is measured in sones—fans that rate between 0.5 to 1.2 sones are extremely quiet, while fans with ratings of 4.0 or more are noisy. It’s best to vent the exhaust outside your home, rather than between floor joists or to an unheated attic, where the humidity can lead to mold that damages floors, walls, and ceiling materials.
SAVE MORE: Opt for an all-in-one ceiling fixture that combines a ventilation fan and lighting.
Some models include heating elements for even more versatility.
SPEND SMART: Consider
installing a dimmer switch so you
can customize the light level and easily
change the mood of the space. If you have a double vanity, multiple dimmer controls can allow each person to select their own light levels.
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ULTIMATE BATHROOM PLANNING GUIDE PAGE 13
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