Brrrr! We are officially in winter and the temperature is plummeting! While we often gleefully run to refreshing baths and showers in the summertime, when it comes to getting undressed and into water during winter, it’s common to wince at the thought of a cold room and cold bathroom tiles underfoot. But never fear! We are here to help you reclaim the joy of bathing during winter! Let’s discuss some bathroom heating options.
Underfloor heating
If you are still in the pre-installation phase of your bathroom design and your new bathroom is going to be a bit too large for a small heat lamp to cut it, or if you live in a colder environment, than we recommend considering under floor heating.
You have the option to choose whether you want the entire floor heated or just target those areas where your feet rest the most or first hit the floor (such as in front of the shower, bath and toilet, below the vanity and even right at the entrance to the bathroom for a touch of luxury as you enter the room and your toes don’t get a shock).
We love underfloor heating for those who want a minimalist look for their bathrooms – as it is completely under the floor, the heating system is totally hidden out of sight and you can discard or re-purpose all those fluffy mats that you usually stand on to keep your feet warm.
Underfloor heating is available in both electric and water systems. Which one you choose will depend on your own preferences so check with your bathroom designer for advice on which is best for your circumstances.
3-in-1 Heat Lamp
If you only need to heat up a small area, then a heat lamp might be a top contender for you as compared to other options, it is relatively inexpensive to purchase and run. A 3-in-1 combines infrared heating bulbs, a built-in exhaust as well as your bathroom’s main light. Perfect for the person who likes everything at their fingertips, all three functions can all be switched on and off from the one panel, usually situated right next to the door as you enter and leave.
The 3-in-1 also produces instant heat, negating the need to preheat the room and excellent for the times when you hop out of the shower and the temperate is a bit cooler than you expected.
If it’s been a while since you’ve seen heat lamps and their combinations, then be rest assured that this option is not going to diminish your bathroom’s aesthetics. The market today has a large range of stylish options that sit flush with the ceiling and hide the bulbs. Not only does this help the unit not stand out and potentially be an eyesore but it also reduces the cleaning and dusting required.
Heated Towel Rails
What is better than a warm and fluffy towel after a long relaxing shower? There’s a good reason that day spas and luxury hair salons and barbers use them – they feel luxuriously amazing. So why not bring that luxe feeling into your home each and every time you shower?
Heated towel rails give your towels that feeling like you’ve just pulled them fresh from the dryer – warm, soft and fluffy. On top of that, they also ensure that they dry evenly. Heaven! If the room is not too large, these power horses can also radiate enough heat to gradually heat the room and assist in reducing condensation.
Most heated towel rails will contain an internal thermostat, allowing them to reach their set temperature, meaning that they can be left on indefinitely. So while a smaller bathroom may feel the warm heat better than a larger bathroom, they can still be a welcome inclusion as a room heating device.
Skylight
Stylish, extremely energy efficient and a heat source – why not consider a bathroom skylight? An often-overlooked heating source, the rays of sunlight carry infrared radiation through the sunlight and warm up the bathroom – no settings needed, no switches, no timers. In other areas of the home, we may use many levels of glazing or tint on the skylight to block out the heat from the sun but why not use that natural energy in your bathroom?
Sunlight is beneficial to our bodies to help us wake up so it makes perfect sense to have plenty of it around us as we are getting ready for the day.
Skylights are also excellent at removing condensation, reducing mould and can also help with drying out items such as wet clothes accidentally left on the floor or when the kid’s towels fall off the rail.
Heated Mirror
Whether you love a touch of luxury or are too pinched for time to let the condensation naturally remove itself from your bathroom mirror, a heated mirror is the perfect addition for your bathroom – and it also carries enough heat to warm up other objects in the room.
With a heated mirror, you can expect a crystal clear reflection in the mirror straight after hopping out of a warm shower – no wiping condensation away with a towel or waiting for the exhaust fan to remove enough droplets that you can get a good glimpse of your reflection.
A thin heater pad is taped behind the mirror before it is fitted to the wall (Yes! You can transform any mirror of your choice into a heated mirror!) and can be installed by a licensed electrician.
So if you’re ready to raise the heat and turn your bathroom into a warm and cosy haven during the winter months then contact our friendly and experienced team. We are proud members of the Housing Industry Association (HIA) and the Kitchen & Bathroom Designers Institute (KBDi) and undertake regular, ongoing professional development to stay ahead of our field.
