A Panelized Home: Blissful Bathrooms

With this view, a telephone, and a television The Hammonds' new master bathroom is a place where they can retire to and soak away the cares of the day. Green with Envy When friends and family wash up for dinner they can gaze at the trees andwash their hands in the deep green Timberline sink in the guest bathroom. The tree theme doesn't stop here. The bathroom is also made from wood. It's not often that we think of the trees that were felled in order to build our homes. Remember, lumberjacks yell "timber" just before a tree becomes just that. Bathrooms often require more framework than other rooms in the house. Tubs and whirlpools can weigh hundreds of pounds—even when they're not filled with water. In order to support that weight contractors need to reinforce the joists and headers which will support all the fixtures. Unlike the master bathroom, the guest bathroom has a tub/shower enclosure which is very popular in new construction. Many of these enclosures are similar to the panelized construction of the Hammonds' house. The enclosures often come in three or four panels which are snapped and fastened together. Kohler's Sonata bath and shower module is a perfect example of these advancements. Basically, instead of spending the time and money to build a custom tiled shower stall, it is now possible to purchase a complete manufactured bathing unit. Because this unit is one molded part with no seams it will not crack or seep as tile might. Modules are made of fiberglass, plastics or a combination of each. Many different configurations are available. Consumers may decide they want a simple module or they may want to buy a module which has shelves for shampoo, soap, and other toiletries. When the Hammonds imagined their guest bathroom they thought about their guests. They worked with the architects and designed a room which would accommodate both houseguests and overnight visitors. The key to their accomplishment fit into two doors. When you decide to add a bathroom or redesign an existing one, this is something to keep in mind. By adding a door situated to the right of the second floor stairwell, the Hammonds created a bathroom-entrance which party-comers can use without feeling as if they are intruding on anyone. The second entrance via the guest bedroom offers privacy to the weekend visitor. It's Rough Before the doors were hung Bill Weston and his crew studied the floorplan and blue prints. In order to rough in the pipes, plumbers first measure twice and mark the exact location of where the pipes and fixtures will be installed. When the bathroom is new and unfinished, before locating a water-closet or pedestal sink the plumber will add the thickness of drywall, ceramic tile, and flooring that is not yet installed. After cutting the appropriate holes the plumber will begin installing the drainage, waste and vent system (DWV). Because the DWV pipes are larger, it is easier to work the smaller supply pipes around them. The DWV system is set at a slope towards the sewer main. Many plumbers prefer to install the supply pipes in walls instead of up through the floor. This will make it easier to do the flooring, and it will also be easier to clean the floor without having to work around floor pipes. As we mentioned in an earlier segment, it is illegal in most regions of the country for consumers to do their own plumbing and heating work unless they are licensed. There are several good books and videos on plumbing which are worth reading and watching. Though you may not be able to do everything you read about, it may make it easier for you to understand and justify the cost of plumbing and other work which you contract to have done around your home. What's Next? When you come home to our project next time you'll see how, before anyone can move into a new home, the inspectors must sign off and issue an occupancy permit. We will also continue to race to the finish and show the contributions the bath and lighting fixtures make to this custom Acorn Home.

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