A cold bathroom can be very unpleasant – especially after getting straight out of the bath or shower. The truth is that most bathrooms are relatively cold because of how they are designed. Surfaces like tiles do not absorb heat well, which can contribute to the overall coldness of a room. It also doesn’t help that we’re often unclothed in a bathroom, which can make us even more sensitive to the cold temperature.
That said, some bathrooms are colder than others. A bathroom positioned on the north-facing side of a building is likely to be colder than one on the south side. Lack of insulation and lack of heating vents/radiators can also make a bathroom feel colder.
Fortunately, though, you don’t have to put up with a cold bathroom. There are many measures that you can take to warm up this space while keeping it practical.
How to warm up your bathroom
If your bathroom is unusually cold, it could be worth taking some of the following measures to help add some warmth…
Replace your windows
If your bathroom windows have worn frames or single-pane glass, it could be worth potentially upgrading them to help trap heat longer. Companies like Renewal by Andersen window replacement can help you install a more energy-efficient option. A double-pane window with a more heavily insulated frame should help to reduce heat loss considerably. You can even opt for triple-pane windows to provide added insulation (useful for large windows in bathrooms).
Close windows and use extractor fans
Quite often bathrooms get cold because the window is left open for ventilation. Failing to provide ventilation can lead to mold growth. However, you don’t have to open the window to provide insulation. Extractor fans can help pump out humid air without having to open a window, allowing the room to stay warmer. Some extractor fans can be designed to continuously run to allow constant ventilation. If your bathroom doesn’t have an extractor fan installed, consider looking into installing one.
Install underfloor heating
Bathroom tiles can often be very cold underfoot. This is because materials like ceramic and stone repel heat. Underfloor heating can help to warm up your bathroom floor so that it is more comfortable to step on. Underfloor heating can also help any spilled water to evaporate as well as help to dry out bathroom mats – all in all, reducing problems like dampness and mold growth. In most cases, this heating is electric and is laid beneath the tiles over the subfloor. It’s worth hiring a professional company to install this heating. While it can be expensive to install, underfloor heating can add value to your home.
Install a heated towel rack
Heated towel racks can help to dry wet towels after you use them. They can also provide you with a warm towel for when you get out of the bath or shower. An added bonus is that they can serve as space heaters, helping to warm up not just your towels but the entire room. If you have a gas or electric radiator in your bathroom, you may be able to easily replace this with a heated towel rack. If not, you’ll have to look into installing additional electrics or plumbing to fit one. Check out this Best Products towel warmer guide to compare some of the best options.
Explore bathroom rug options
Sadly you cannot use any rug in a bathroom as certain rugs are likely to be prone to moisture damage and mold growth. That said, there are still many heat-retaining bath mat options to explore made from materials like cotton, polyester, and memory foam for sinking one’s toes into. It’s also possible to consider heated bath mats. These can be a cheap substitute for underfloor heating, allowing you to step out of the bath or shower onto a warm surface.
Insulate the walls
You may be losing heat in your bathroom because the walls are poorly insulated. Adding wall insulation to a bathroom can be a messy and expensive job, but could help to keep your bathroom warm without having to rely on costly heating. There are two main ways to insulate a bathroom wall: fill the wall cavity or use an insulating board. You can fill the wall cavity using fiberglass materials or water-repellant polystyrene foam. Insulation boards meanwhile take the form of specialist cement backer boards that are fitted between the wall frame and tiles (usually with plastic or tar paper between the board and the frame). You can install this insulation yourself, or hire a professional to do it for you.