Building Homes or Extensions/building a bathroom

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Expert: - 4/5/2010


Question
How wide should a bathroom be built to accomodate a standard bathtub that we want to span the width of the rear wall.  WE have ripped out the interior of an older home and want to ensure that the walls are positioned correctly to fit the tub in without extra space around it and also to make sure it will fit.

Answer
Dear Fiona,

The bathtub needs exactly five feet from framing to framing. The tub fits against the wood, and the cement board goes over the flange. Normally, carpenters notch into the wood about 1/8" for the flange, so the cement board stays flat against the framing. A 1x2 is nailed beneath the tub rim to support the tub.

Daniel

Building Homes or Extensions

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Daniel Humphrey

Expertise

I can answer questions about designing and building homes and outbuildings, especially for colder climates. I am expert in timber framing, but of course I also know about other kinds of residential construction techniques and materials. Because of my emphasis on using local materials and organic alternatives, I know quite about about Green Building and am willing to do the research to find out more.

Experience

I've been a timber framer for 20 years, working as a general contractor who designs and builds custom timberframe homes, working as much as possible with local organic materials, from foundation to finish. I also have expertise in designing, building, and setting up pre-fab remote camp facilities on terra firma or temperate glaciers for research and expeditions, using helicopters for support.

Education/Credentials
B.A., M.F.A.

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