Can a bathroom exhaust fan be installed on a wall? The bathroom has been a topic of discussion ever since we launched this site because it is a special place, a place we can’t do without in any building, a place we visit anytime we want to refresh up or remove some unwanted products from our body.
We use the bathroom every day of our lives, and as long as we exist, the need for a bathroom will never cease.
However, because of the immense importance of the bathroom and the things we do inside, there is a need to maintain and keep it clean, and installing an exhaust fan is one way we take care of our bathroom.
But the question is, can a bathroom exhaust fan be installed on a wall?
Yes, a bathroom exhaust fan can be installed on the wall; it can be installed vertically inside your bathroom wall and vent outside using the through-the-wall venting option. As long as the exhaust fan is not mounted horizontally in the wall, it will do its job very well.
It is not acceptable to underestimate the work exhaust fan can do in the bathroom. It will help keep the bathroom dry. It will also help control humidity, remove unpleasant odor from the bathroom, prevent molds, and add more prestige to the bathroom.
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Can a Bathroom Exhaust Fan be Mounted on a Wall
From what we have discussed so far, it’s obvious that the bathroom exhaust fans can be mounted on a wall. We also said that while mounting the fan, we should make sure it is installed vertically and not horizontally to the wall as failure to do so will have an aftereffect. After the fan is installed on a wall, the next thing is to vent it using the through-the-wall venting option.
Wall Mounted Bathroom Exhaust Fans
These are the type of bathroom exhaust fans that can be installed on the wall. It is the type of exhaust fan used by people who live on the first floor or downstairs where it is hard to access the roof. Venting this type of exhaust fan is very easy. Since it is a wall-mounted bathroom, it is easier to vent through the wall.
Venting Options for Wall Mounted Bathroom Exhaust Fans
There are two kinds of through the wall venting option: the normal through the wall vent and the low profile fan through the wall vent option.
Through-the-Wall Venting Option
As reiterated earlier, bathroom exhaust fans installed directly to the bathroom wall can be vented through-the-wall. This type of fan does not require the ceiling to wall venting option or roof venting option. Since the fan is installed directly to the wall, it is easier to vent it through the wall.
Before buying any fan that requires you to vent it through the wall, there are many things you need to know. I will try as much as possible to explain those things and even tell you their pros and cons. The reason is that you need to know these things before making any purchase or before the installation.
- Wall-mounted exhaust fans usually come with their installation kits. It is with these kits that you are going to do the installation. Some of the kits may include ducts and exterior cover.
- Wall-mounted exhaust fans usually come with short ducts that are perfect because short ducts are best for ducting.
- When installing the duct, ensure that it is installed directly behind the exhaust fan.
- A wall-mounted exhaust fan vent may be tough to install depending on the brick on which your house is built. Therefore, if you have never done such a job before, hire a licensed roofer to do the installation for you.
Pros of Through-the-wall Venting option
It is Energy Efficient:
This type of exhaust fan is energy efficient. They won’t cost too much energy while running. Someone once asked if a bathroom exhaust fan consumes too much energy? The answer is yes, a bathroom exhaust fan may consume too much energy depending on the type, size, and brand you installed in your bathroom.
It is Works Quietly:
This entirely depends on the brand of exhaust fan you bought for your bathroom. Some exhaust fans installed in a wall and vent through the wall can be boisterous, especially when you install it the wrong way or install a fan meant to be installed on the ceiling in the wall. It will make more noise than usual.
You don’t need to buy the type of fan that will be making too much noise anytime you turn it on to use. It cannot be delightful. Moreover, since you need to on the fan while bathing and leave it on between 10 to 15 minutes after taking your bath, the more reason you need a very quiet fan. A bathroom fan will always make noise, but not one that will be making a bothersome noise.
The fact that they do not touch the joist or subfloor and the vibration absorbing wall mounting brackets reduces the level of noise from through-the-wall venting exhaust fans when they are on.
Cons of Through-the-wall Venting option
Difficult to Vent
Through-the-wall vent fans can be complicated to vent, mostly if your house is made of brick veneer or brick challenging to make a hole. While installing the vent, there is a need to make a hole in the wall; if the brick is too difficult to work on, you might find it difficult to do so.
This is also why I always advise hiring a licensed professional roofer or someone who has installed such a fan to do the work for you to avoid complaints that the fan is not working as expected.
Low Profile Fan (Through-the-wall Vent Option)
Low profile fans are another type of bathroom exhaust fans installed in the wall and vent using the through-the-wall venting option. This type of fan is unique in its way and functions well like other bathroom fans. It is also installed vertically to the wall.
However, if you are wondering what a low profile fan is, check out the Whisper THIN Low Profile Ventilation Fan. It comes with a 10W dimmable LED light with 8- to 100 CMF to cover your bathroom size.
Pros of Low Profile Fans
- Even though it is a wall-mounted fan, it is very easy to install.
- They are not thick.
- They have several ways by which you can route it.
- They can fit in-between wall studs.
Conclusion
If you are asking, can a bathroom exhaust fan be installed on a wall? Because you want to buy and install it in your bathroom, then endeavor to read and digest everything written in this article before making the first move. It is possible to install and vent the bathroom exhaust fan through the wall, but you have to make sure to do it right; else, it might not work as it is supposed to. Hire a professional licensed roofer to do the job for you if you know you cannot do it well.
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