Ventilation in the bathroom in the ceiling: design features and instructions for installing the hood

Due to poor ventilation or its complete absence, fungus and mold can form in the bathroom, furniture and appliances can deteriorate, and the microclimate in the room can deteriorate. Agree, you would not like to live in such conditions? The hood in the bathroom in the ceiling will help to change the state of affairs, which will help in the fight against excessive humidity in the room.

A ceiling hood consists of two elements: an air duct and an electric fan. Such a ventilation system involves the installation of an additional suspended ceiling. From the article you will learn what you should pay attention to when installing ceiling ventilation in the bathroom, as well as how to do the installation of the hood with your own hands.

Bathroom fan

A bathroom fan must have special technical characteristics due to the high humidity in the room. It is important to understand that the ceiling fan will work most efficiently if the ceiling height in the bathroom is more than 2.65 meters.

As for the design features of the device, it must fit the size of the niche in ventilation duct, in which it will be fixed.

An important indicator is considered moisture resistance, which is indicated by the letters IP. This indicator is considered important because it is related to safety. Bathroom worth choose fans with an indicator of 34 and higher, so that when moisture gets on the device or at high humidity, a short circuit of the wiring does not occur.

The value of the check valve is difficult to overestimate, but devices with such a detail are much more expensive than without it.

The power of the device should be selected depending on the volume of the room, as well as the frequency of its use. In addition, when choosing, you should pay attention to the presence of additional functions. For example, humidity sensors, display, control panel and others.

General guidelines for installation

The process of installing a ceiling hood in the bathroom takes a little time if you have the necessary skills and have done all the preparatory work.

SNiP 41-01-2003 prescribes installation standards and important indicators for ventilation systems. Pay attention to the air exchange rates and the maximum permissible amount of dust in the duct.

Before installation, be sure to check the shaft of the ventilation duct in any way available to you. Try the most common ones - with paper or a lighter. It is also worth strengthening the ceiling with the help of a special building compound and sealing the seams at the joints of the walls and ceiling.

Before starting work, also think over the connection method and, if necessary, lay the cable for the power supply. Most often, three-core wires are used for this purpose.

The electrical wires for the fan should be hidden above the ceiling structure. If this is not possible, then it is worth covering the wires with special plastic boxes so that water does not get on them.

After that, you need to design an air duct. It can be collected from special pipes. There are several types of them, but the most common are round or square. If the ceiling height is small, then they are mounted rectangular, since they are wide enough and meet all the requirements.

One end of the duct is connected to the ventilation shaft, and the other is led out to the future ceiling and connected to the fan.

The PVC ventilation duct must be fixed. The corrugated pipe does not need to be fixed.

In order for the hood to function most efficiently, the ventilation inlets should be located as on the opposite side of the fresh air inflow. Further features of the work depend on the type of ceiling in your bathroom.

Several types are considered the most common.

Each of these types has advantages and disadvantages. Suspended ceilings made of panels and slats are considered a relatively budget option. But a stretch ceiling is a rather expensive pleasure.

Consider the features of installing ventilation in the bathroom for each type of false ceiling.

Option # 1 - slatted ceiling

Slatted ceiling is a common type of inexpensive bathroom ceiling, especially in private homes.

Thanks to the simple installation scheme, it is quite easy to install or dismantle it with your own hands, and it is also resistant to corrosion.

Ventilation can be arranged in two ways: using diffusers. Then the slatted panels should be purchased with pre-drilled holes. Or from special perforated strips.

The further course of work will depend on the type of material chosen.

Installation instructions:

• first, mark the location of the ventilation grilles on the ceiling in the bathroom;
• mark and then cut holes of the required size on the slatted panels;
• fix the diffuser or ventilation grilles to the panels using fasteners or liquid nails.

If you are using perforated panels, then the slats must be mounted on opposite sides of the ceiling. This creates conditions for natural air circulation under and above the ceiling.

When the rack structure is located below the ventilation duct, it is most rational to use an exhaust fan. The connection diagram looks like this:

• remove the front panel of the device;
• cut a hole inside the panel for fasteners;
• a corrugated or plastic air duct should be laid to the place where the fan is installed from the ventilation duct above the ceiling;
• connect a fan to the air duct;
• the fan itself must be mounted inside the ceiling (a niche between the ceiling and the suspended structure);
• you need to pass the wire through the hole in the case, bring it into the grooves. Then insert the fan all the way into the ventilation duct. Further, one by one, all the wires are connected to each other using stamps.

It is very important to fix the fastening points with electrical tape. This completes the installation.

Although the installation of a slatted ceiling is relatively simple, if you are not confident in your abilities, then it is better to use the services of professional craftsmen.

Option # 2 - suspended ceiling

Such a construction of plastic or plasterboard panels is also considered budgetary. The materials for the panels are durable and moisture resistant.

The panels are easy to install and require little maintenance. They are mounted tightly to each other so that the seams are less noticeable.

It is important to mount ventilation grates at different ends of the ceiling for better air circulation and to prevent mold from forming at the joints of the slabs.

The fan is installed in the ventilation hole. The fan installation diagram is identical to that described for the rack ceiling.

Option # 3 - stretch ceiling

Solid fabric stretch ceilings are becoming more and more popular. They visually increase the size of the room, add elegance to the room, and a large selection of colors will allow you to choose a canvas for any interior.

After installing such a ceiling, the height of the walls will decrease by only 3-5 cm. The material is completely sealed and does not allow water to pass through. Therefore, you do not have to worry about the fact that the neighbors can flood you.

First you need to take care of the arrangement of the electrical network, and then prepare the platform for the fan and secure it. A solid plywood or plastic plate can be used as a platform. Then screw one side of the metal holder to the platform and the other to the ceiling.

Next, you need to stretch the ceiling and mark the places in which the ventilation grilles will be located.

At the same place, fix the protector ring with special glue. It will not allow the ceiling sheet to break through or deform.

After that, remove excess material, and fix the fan inside the opened hole.

If you are not going to mount an additional ceiling around the entire perimeter, then you can install only a small niche for the electric fan and air duct.

We also recommend reading our other article, where we talked in detail about the arrangement of ventilation in a stretch ceiling. More details - go to link.

Helpful advice from experts

We have collected several recommendations that will help you while working on installing the hood. If the installation is carried out in a private house, then the air outlet should be made outside, and not under the roof.

There should be an air gap under the bathroom door. If it is not there, then the effect of the fan will be reduced to zero.

It is strictly forbidden to connect the fan directly into the shaft for natural ventilation. For the ceiling model to work, you need to lay a separate duct.

The device should be installed opposite the door and at the maximum distance from heating devices. This will allow the fan to run most efficiently and not overheat.

To reduce fan noise and create additional sealing, a layer of silicone sealant should be placed between the base of the hood and the ceiling.

As you can see, the installation of a ceiling fan does not require much effort. It is very important to complete it without mistakes, and for this you need to have certain skills and knowledge. A quality installation will guarantee clean and fresh air in your bathroom, as well as extend the life of your furniture and appliances.

Conclusions and useful video on the topic

The author tells and shows about the key points of the process of connecting a ceiling fan in the bathroom, dwelling on some of the nuances:

From the video you will learn how to separate ventilation in the bathroom and toilet:

The forced ventilation system in the bathroom will effectively ventilate the room at a convenient time for the user. A well-done work will extend the life of both the fan and other household appliances.

And did you have to independently engage in the installation of ventilation in the bathroom? Perhaps there were difficulties that you encountered? Please share your experience with our readers. Leave your comments in the block below.