Can you add a window to CYV bathroom?

[Vikingjunior]

It's always annoyed me that my bathroom doesn't have a window. It's a bredding ground for mold and mildew. Those exhaust fans don't do much and waste electricity. Would ARC approve adding a window to bathroom.

[fishon]

Probably no if the bathroom in on the windowless side of the house.

[Vikingjunior]

May I ask the reason they would say no if it's on the windowless side of house?

[retiredguy123]

May I ask the reason they would say no if it's on the windowless side of house?
Privacy for the next door neighbor. The window would overlook the next door neighbor's back yard, which is the side yard easement area used and maintained by the neighbor. When you buy a courtyard villa, you expect the windowless wall of your neighbor to remain windowless inside the fenced-in back yard.

[RICH1]

May I ask the reason they would say no if it's on the windowless side of house?
To keep it windowless …. Lol
Change is bad

[Ritagoyer]

It's always annoyed me that my bathroom doesn't have a window. It's a bredding ground for mold and mildew. Those exhaust fans don't do much and waste electricity. Would ARC approve adding a window to bathroom.
Could ask if you could put in a solid frosted glass window don't think they would allow a window to open. You can ask all they can say is no.

[Toymeister]

Your answer comes from the ARC not from anyone here.

Have you considered getting a higher grade of fan or adding a second fan? There are several grades of fans. Also a light tube does wonders in a bathroom.

[villagetinker]

I generally agree with the above comments, especially an upgraded or second fan. Call ARC and ask them, they can tell you no if it would not be allowed, they will NOT tell you yes, it is allowed without a written application (no cost) which takes about 2 weeks and is good for around 6 months. You will also need to look into contractors a lot will depend on the home construction stick or concrete block.

[Blueblaze]

Wish I could give you mine. What kind of moron puts a window over the toilet that looks into the neighbor's dining room? I'd cover it with a cabinet but the damn thing is four ft tall! The best I could figure out was to install stick-on window frosting.

I'm still trying to figure out how you think opening a window to 85% outdoor humidity is going to help with your mold problem. Here's a better idea. Install a CEILING FAN, and after you shower, leave the shower door open with the fan running until the shower floor is dry.

[Two Bills]

Agree with upgrading to a better extractor fan, and also leave door open for a while after showering.
Our fan runs 24/7/365 and costs pennies to run.
Never had a mold problem.

[kkingston57]

Wish I could give you mine. What kind of moron puts a window over the toilet that looks into the neighbor's dining room? I'd cover it with a cabinet but the damn thing is four ft tall! The best I could figure out was to install stick-on window frosting.

I'm still trying to figure out how you think opening a window to 85% outdoor humidity is going to help with your mold problem. Here's a better idea. Install a CEILING FAN, and after you shower, leave the shower door open with the fan running until the shower floor is dry.

Good points! The moron who designed the home is the same moron who designed our house and others. Most houses in TV do not have windows in the garage.

[villagetinker]

Agree with upgrading to a better extractor fan, and also leave door open for a while after showering.
Our fan runs 24/7/365 and costs pennies to run.
Never had a mold problem.

You do realize you are pulling out air conditioned air and pulling in outside air wherever there is an opening 24/7/365. We run our builder installed fan when the shower is running and for several minutes after, no mold after 9 years here. This is a full tiled walk-in shower.

[PugMom]

i sympathize with your mold issues, i'm the same way. all i did was use 1 of those desk fans, plugged in the sink area, & face it @ the shower. if you are running the ceiling fan as well, it dries in about 20mins. do this AFTER you squeegee. hope it helps!

[GpaVader]

You do realize you are pulling out air conditioned air and pulling in outside air wherever there is an opening 24/7/365. We run our builder installed fan when the shower is running and for several minutes after, no mold after 9 years here. This is a full tiled walk-in shower.

According to Mike Holmes from HGTV, you should leave your fan running while you shower and for at least 20 minutes after you shower. Mike would never steer you wrong...

[Two Bills]

You do realize you are pulling out air conditioned air and pulling in outside air wherever there is an opening 24/7/365. We run our builder installed fan when the shower is running and for several minutes after, no mold after 9 years here. This is a full tiled walk-in shower.

Sorry. Should have said in UK home. No A/C.

I would still install a better extractor fan though.
The light operated fan with A/C is a better idea.

[sdeikenberry]

We have a CYV and experienced mold in the master bath. Eventually we purchased a dehumidifier, keep it in the master bath with the door closed and now no more mold...problem solved. It's amaing that we collect two gallons of moisture in 24 hours on humid days even though we have the AC on. We have a humidistat and even with the AC humidity in the house goes up and down along with the outside humidity.

[Joecool]

Having a window in the bathroom in Florida with the outside humidity being so high would probably not help. I. I have installed timer switches on all my fans so when I go in to take a shower I push a timer button and it stop Stays on my pre selected time then shuts off never had mold.

[Debra Freeman]

I have two windows in the bathroom and never open them as there is more humidity outside. Never in 10 years had a mold issue.

[MandoMan]

Your answer comes from the ARC not from anyone here.

Have you considered getting a higher grade of fan or adding a second fan? There are several grades of fans. Also a light tube does wonders in a bathroom.

I recommend putting in a Panasonic Whisper Choice exhaust fan and a separate timer at rhe switch plate (don’t get the more expensive one with the built-in sensor. These are much quieter than most fans, and they exhaust 110 cubic feet per minute, compared to probably 40 for what you probably have now. Use the timer, set for an hour. Probably that will leave your shower walls dry, and your towels, too. Panasonic is the top-rated by both the Journal of Light Construction and Consumers Reports. Having an open window in your bathroom lets in a lot of humid air that then has to be cooled and dehumidified by your air conditioner. This exhaust fan is cheaper by far than the extra AC.

They are sold at Lowe’s and Home Depot, but unless you are very good at this sort of thing, hire someone to put it in for you.

[dp.reed]

It's always annoyed me that my bathroom doesn't have a window. It's a bredding ground for mold and mildew. Those exhaust fans don't do much and waste electricity. Would ARC approve adding a window to bathroom.

Have a solar tube installed. Call Solar Guys, (352) 205-4204

[Black Beauty]

our CYV garage 24x24 has a window facing the street

[Judy Vons]

We never open our bathroom window. The problem most likely is your temp setting for the AC. Keep temp at 73 to 74 and the humidistat at 54%. I am assuming you may have a Carrier heat pump.

[Rodneysblue]

It's always annoyed me that my bathroom doesn't have a window. It's a bredding ground for mold and mildew. Those exhaust fans don't do much and waste electricity. Would ARC approve adding a window to bathroom.

And your neighbors will get to enjoy your singing in the shower, Neighborhood concert.

[Birdrm]

That might be possible because I have two windows on that side one is a frosted glass window in the shower and the other is a very small window above my bed. So it might be possible to add a window but, not one you can open to let in fresh air!

[Joelack99]

It's always annoyed me that my bathroom doesn't have a window. It's a bredding ground for mold and mildew. Those exhaust fans don't do much and waste electricity. Would ARC approve adding a window to bathroom.

You don’t need a window, IMO.

The standard fans they install are absolutely garbage. We always had mold and mildew problems in our bathroom (not a CYV) but last year installed a better fan with a built in moisture sensor. It cuts the fan on for about half an hour whenever the shower runs and removes the moisture before it can do damage. Made all the difference in the world. No more problems.

[Hardlyworking]

You don’t need a window, IMO.

The standard fans they install are absolutely garbage. We always had mold and mildew problems in our bathroom (not a CYV) but last year installed a better fan with a built in moisture sensor. It cuts the fan on for about half an hour whenever the shower runs and removes the moisture before it can do damage. Made all the difference in the world. No more problems.

Do you happen to know the make and model #?

[Dmossien]

To keep it windowless …. Lol
Change is bad

You could leave the exhaust fan on for several years to equal the cost of the window, especially if your house in concrete block.

[wolfie]

Privacy for the next door neighbor. The window would overlook the next door neighbor's back yard, which is the side yard easement area used and maintained by the neighbor. When you buy a courtyard villa, you expect the windowless wall of your neighbor to remain windowless inside the fenced-in back yard.

get a sky light that open Electric :wave:

[Heytubes]

A tubular skylight would be less if window can’t go.

[NavyVet]

I have 10 ceiling fans in my home (block and stucco designer) including 2 in garage and one in master bath. I could not live w/o them. Run both ceiling and exhaust fan during and after shower and my mirrors don't even fog up.
Works great. Only open windows to air out house in winter as hot, humid air is not fresh air to me.

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

According to Mike Holmes from HGTV, you should leave your fan running while you shower and for at least 20 minutes after you shower. Mike would never steer you wrong...

I squeegee the shower walls and floor after I shower. There's very little left to dry, so I can turn the fan off when I leave the bathroom.

[shut the front door]

Have a solar tube installed. Call Solar Guys, (352) 205-4204

The OP doesn't have a lighting issue. Why in the world would you install a solar tube to prevent mold?

[Vikingjunior]

Thanks for all the replies.
I take showers early in the morning when heat and humidity is low. It's not hot and humid year round and still would be nice to be able to keep the window open for fresh air during cooler months without having to put the main unit fan on.
As far as privacy I can go in my back yard and see my neighbors if I wanted. I'm not a peeping tom and planned on having the window high up on the wall.
Anyway I'll contact ARC.

[Whitley]

It's always annoyed me that my bathroom doesn't have a window. It's a bredding ground for mold and mildew. Those exhaust fans don't do much and waste electricity. Would ARC approve adding a window to bathroom.

Look into a skylight that opens. I was in a couple of homes in TV that had those.

[retiredguy123]

Thanks for all the replies.
I take showers early in the morning when heat and humidity is low. It's not hot and humid year round and still would be nice to be able to keep the window open for fresh air during cooler months without having to put the main unit fan on.
As far as privacy I can go in my back yard and see my neighbors if I wanted. I'm not a peeping tom and planned on having the window high up on the wall.
Anyway I'll contact ARC.
You cannot go into the yard on the windowless side of your house without the prior permission of your neighbor. That area is a side yard easement that is controlled and maintained by your neighbor. According to the Deed Compliance office, ARC has routinely disapproved applications to install a window on that side of the house because it affects the neighbor's privacy in their fenced-in back yard. Note that even if you did install a window, your neighbor could erect a landscaping screen or other type of barrier to block the window, as long as it was not attached to your exterior wall. Your neighbor can do almost any type of landscaping in their back yard, but they cannot attach anything directly to your wall.

[ElDiabloJoe]

I squeegee the shower walls and floor after I shower. There's very little left to dry, so I can turn the fan off when I leave the bathroom.

Same

[Vikingjunior]

I think you missed my point, I can stand in MY yard and see over the fence at my neighbors.