A gas fired water heater is still much cheaper to operate than an electric model in almost every part of the world. However, it would be wise to verify with your electrical engineer or electric company for a probable monthly bill if you prefer to use an electric water heater. Electric heater use three-wire, 220-volt current. The advantages of electric heaters are their cleanliness, coolness of operation, and the low and modern cabinets which blend with other fixtures.

Gas-fired water heaters, have also evolved. All dangers of explosion has been eliminated by the use of an automatic gas shut-off valve, operated by a heat-sensitive switch. Depending on usage a 40 to 50 gallon capacity tank would be sufficient hot water for every day use. Although, larger capacities would be better for larger families who use the bath all at the same time.

After a hot day, it would be really nice to relax and have a nice cold bath in one of this tubs. Shaped like a whale with its tail resembling a waterfall, this whirlpool bath features chromatherapy lighting as well as bubble massage as its standard fare. Cost: around $3,000.00

In our previous article we talked about what a powder room is and what it does? We also discussed how putting in a powder room can add value to one’s home. Now we will pick the likeliest spots where we can put the half-baths.

In case you have a big or not so big home to locate a half-bath, you should consider rooms that are under used as prime candidates. In some cases, it may make sense to break through a hallway to borrow space from an adjacent room. Consider converting an underused closet to powder room space. Also, appropriating some garage space is still another possibility. If at all possible, try to limit the rearrangement of walls and doors to non-load bearing partitions since altering structural walls can be difficult and at the same time expensive.

If you can also plan a new powder room so it is above, below, or back to back with an existing bathroom, the cost and trouble of running the necessary piping will be kept to a minimum. Verify also with local codes standards for light and ventilation in bathrooms. Most codes stipulate that bath windows be operable and have a minimum of around 0.27 square meters of glass (roughly 600mm x 300mm). All bathrooms should be ventilated, if that is not possible consider installing an exhaust fan such as a “combination light-fan” fixture.

Access from a hallway is usually best, so you should consider traffic patterns within the house. Keeping them close to main living and entertainment areas will make them convenient for guests. Also when choosing a water closet, a siphon-flushing systems works best since they are generally the quietest.

Look at the illustration I have prepared above, the drawing shows a floor plan (ground) for a house with two full baths. The highlighted areas indicate possible powder room locations:

1. Replacing a hall closet and deepening it slightly yields a space for a toilet and lavatory. Hallway width is 1300 mm

2. Stealing some garage space and creating a new doorway in the hall makes for a possible powder room location. Verify that the two car garage should have a 30 square meter of space left.

3. Sacrificing den space and re-arranging the closet creates space for a toilet and lavatory off the foyer.

4. Space can be taken from a walk in closet to create a powder room with access from the foyer.

5. Space beneath the stairs can also accomodate a toilet and lavatory.

The notes above are mere guidelines; all it takes to put a powder room in most houses is a bit of imagination and ingenuity!

With the exception of the kitchen, the powder room is a highly visible part of the home seen by guests more often than nearly any other room. Because of its smaller size, it is easier for the homeowner to make a big statement with a relatively low budget.

More than any other room in the house, the powder room today provides a unique opportunity for homeowners to experiment with their sense of style without breaking the bank. It also provides a means to significantly boost your home’s value. For example, An addition of a 1.60sqm sized powder room to a home that has only one full bath can mean a return of P30,000 to P50,000, depending on location.

Space Requirements

Powder rooms, also called “half baths,” generally have just a lavatory and a toilet, although some rooms come with a shower. A new powder room can be a stepsaver for family and guests alike when placed near a home’s main living areas, and it can also help relieve the demand on other bathrooms when the family’s trying to get out of the house in the morning.

As seen from the layouts above, a comfortable powder room with a toilet and lavatory setup can easily fit into a space measuring 1.17 to 1.65 square meters. To include a small shower, a range between 2.00 to 2.40 square meters would be the recommended minimum.

Would’nt it be nice to add a powder room in your existing floor layout?