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Poll: Which bathroom layout? PIPs
We've gutted our master bathroom. The design is narrowed down to these two:
Option #1
Option #2
Don't see a difference? It's a tiny difference with a huge impact on the whole project.
The side wall of the shower goes from glass to a framed wall. From a design point of view I think it would make the bathroom look so much bigger to have that wall be glass. However, this complicates the plumbing enormously.
It means putting the shower head on an exterior wall - so building a fake plumbing wall in front of the exterior wall just to hold plumbing. I'd add a vertical half wall to the end of the shower to at least hold the shower valve so it would be accessible for repairs without breaking tile. Moving the bathtub plumbing to the wall on the right or building a knee wall behind the tub to hold the plumbing (shown in option 1).
Option 2 solves all the plumbing dilemmas, but I'm afraid of the bathroom looking like a tiny cave if I frame that wall in.
[poll]
Re: Poll: Which bathroom layout? PIPs
I'm going with #2 assuming that the price difference is pretty significant to move the plumbing. I'm assuming the price difference is significant because the question is being asked and because I know that moving plumbing sucks.
Are they using pex or copper? Pex would make the job of moving the plumbing much easier and faster to do.
ETA: I guess it is the issue because clearly one design is easier on the overall plumbing movement, but I was trying to say that all of the plumbing is moving anyway (we took the bath from 6x8 to 12x8) it's just a matter of how much it moves. Not sure that makes sense?
Then go with the first one if that's what you like better.
It's a pocket door in the longer wall. No window in there. I would prefer the toilet that way as well and had it that way until I remembered that if I flip the toilet around to the exterior wall I have to build a phony wall for the water supply and vent to run through. So you would go from 26 inches of clear space in front the toilet rim to the code minimum of 21.
Can you explain this please?
I really like #1. If moving the plumbing is not the huge issue, just framing the half walls - then it's a no brainer to me. That extra labor is going to open up that bathroom so much more. Plus just think of the beautiful tiling you could do in the shower that would show through all the glass.
I voted for #1.
We have a similar layout in our master bath, in our bathroom the sinks and toilet are flip-flopped from your layout, but other than that, it's the same. When we bought the house, the wall between the shower & tub was part of a cheap pre-fab shower surround, it was opaque & textured glass (you couldn't see through it). We remodeled, and didn't change the layout, but tiled the shower and installed frameless glass. That one simple change made our bathroom look so much bigger, it just opened the place up.
We didn't have to do plumbing on an exterior wall for that layout (our master closet is on the other side of the shower), but I still highly recommend the frameless glass.
Mr. Sammy Dog
Is there a third option here?
What if your ran the shower horizontally along the back wall? You could have the plumbing for the shower on the wall that divides the toilet from the shower. This may interefere with your pocket door, I understand, but I think that could be worked around. Its just something about the small "hallway" looking space between the toilet and shower bothers me. That would be my suggestion, FWIW.
In my professional opinion I'd go with #1. #2 will feel really closed in.
Because the controls are not easily accessible. That's just me though.
I find #2 ok, but I would do a completely different layout if you can move the toilet.
Or what about a compromise like this? Its obviously just a sketch and not to scale.
d0ri - didn't even think of that for the faucets.
Knitty - no idea what you're talking about. How is eliminating the toilet enclosure going to get the plumbing out of the exterior walls?
TheycallmeLiz and sjb&apa - You're geniuses!!
I drew up what you both described. And I love it. It gets the plumbing out of the external walls - except the toilet, but I can live with that. Here's what option #3 looks like.
Awesome sketchup models!! It's it so much easier to visual things using that?
I like #3 the best but here are some suggestions.
Unless you plan to take the shower glass enclosure to the ceiling you'll want to move the shower door to hinge on a wall. We have the same issue in our master so we're going to have to take it to the ceiling which equals more cost and a different look. I would either move the door to the wall or add a small full length wall where that small glass panel is. A little wall there may look strange so draw it out first. If you had a wall there you could add a full length bench there too which would be a nice feature.
Remember no shower niches on exterior walls. I'm sure you knew that but you'd be surprised how many people come on this board and want to do that. ; ) With that layout you have lots of opportunity to hide niches in non-exterior walls though.
I would consider changing that toilet room corner to be an angle instead with a swinging door on it. An angle I think will make the space feel a little more integrated into the room and not stick out so much.
A pocket door how you have it drawn in #3 will reduce the integrity of the tile on the shower wall because the wall will be flimsy and hollow. So either way avoid a pocket door.
I like the extra deep wall behind the toilet. Smart thinking. I just wrote out a whole paragraph on ways to avoid the cold water pipe in the wall but then I took another look and noticed that wall is extra deep LOL. We just moved two toilets to exterior walls and went with floor mounted supply lines because the plumbing was from below (see pic) but I like this idea best for plumbing from above.
I would consider some type of wainscoting or other paneling in the toilet room if it goes with your decor. That way you can hide an access panel in there for the tub plumbing. Being able to get to those shut off valves is always good. Here's our hidden access panel for the shower/tub combo:
Now you see it.
Now you don't. Well except for that small screw on the top we're going to paint white.
Other than that I really love your plan! When are you going to start this remodel? Anytime soon?
If you beef up the wall no it shouldn't be a problem at all. But yes the little 1xs would allow too much flex for rigid thinset, tile, and grout. It wouldn't happen right away but eventually the grout or caulk on that wall would crack.
It's hard to tell from the angle how much that corner of the toilet room wall sticks out past the tub edge but if it's a lot chopping off the corner to make a small angled wall might be something to consider. It would make the transition from the tub to the shower flow better.
I agree a 100'' vanity is a little much. It would cost a lot more for both the custom cabinetry and the top. The space next to it provides a place to hide a small trashcan or a hamper or something decorative. Otherwise you could extend it to the shower and split the sinks with an open area in the middle to sit and put on makeup. I've also seen vanities split and open shelving the same color between them.
Sounds like you have a lot of extra requirements for construction down there! We don't have wind or hurricane issues but we do get much, much colder than 32! Well good luck! Make sure to post some pics when you're finished! That is a nice fast pace. Are you DIYing or hiring it out?
The tub is 30" wide and the toilet wall is 35". Not much difference. The toilet wall and the entry wall on the right are also the same size.
The angle wall doesn't work. It intrudes into the required clear space in front of the toilet. It would have made things a little less boxy I agree.
I'm considering two 48" vanities instead of a monster 100". Also leaves room for a towel bar.
I'll take my hurricanes over your winters any day
Mostly DIY. Local code requires hiring out the electrical. And we're hiring out the plumbing because of all the slab work that has to be done.