Can A Bathroom Fan Be Installed in The Wall?

Looking for the answer to “can a bathroom fan be installed in the wall?” Yes, you can install a fan in your bathroom, and it will help you to keep your bathroom fresh.

If you are tired of seeing your old bath fans or want to update your motor skills, you might want to consider installing one of the new models that have been built for this purpose.

A bathroom fan can also radically change the appearance of your ceiling, as well as offer you a chance to open up another window in your home. 

This means you can now ventilate your bathroom with fresh air rather than the foul smell of mold and mildew. In this article, we will be looking at how to install a bathroom fan in the wall, and some additional tips will also be provided. You will get some FAQs also. So, let’s start.  

Table of Contents

• Why Install a Fan in The Bathroom?
• Can A Bathroom Fan Be Installed in The Wall?
  • Surface Mounted
  • Soffit Mounted
  • How to Install a Bathroom Fan Without Attic Access?
  • Related Questions
  • Final Note

Why Install a Fan in The Bathroom?

The primary purpose of a fan is to provide air circulation and remove unpleasant odors. However, most people forget that the bathroom has other hot and humid spaces where fresh air is also needed. That’s why we decided to see why we need a fan in the bathroom? 

• Removal of humidity and moisture – We all know how fogged mirrors look like after taking a hot shower. This humidity drops to the floor, walls, and it’s not going anywhere fast. That’s why the bathroom needs fresh air to create a pleasant environment. 

• Prevention of condensation – We have all seen the little drops of water on the windows on a cold day. This occurs when hot, humid air meets a cold surface. Well, this is exactly what happens inside your bathroom in a colder season, which leads to mold and mildew growth. 

• Prevention from harmful bacteria – It’s been long known that bathrooms have higher concentrations of harmful bacteria. This happens because the hot and damp environment is ideal for their growth. Not only do they affect our health, but they also pose a serious threat to wooden furniture and flooring materials.

• Better airflow – Bathroom fans improve the overall airflow in your bathroom, which can lead to a significant difference in your heating or cooling bills. Of course, the bigger the fan, the stronger its effect will be. Also, it’s important to install a fan that mixes fresh air from outside with your bathroom air to improve its quality even further.

• Prevention from mold and mildew growth – In addition to creating an unpleasant smell, mold and mildew can cause asthma attacks and allergies. If you or someone in your family is prone to these conditions, installing a bathroom fan is a must.

Can A Bathroom Fan Be Installed in The Wall?

You can install a bathroom fan, one of two ways: surface mounted, or soffit mounted.

• Surface-mounted
• Soffit mounted

Surface Mounted

If you choose to install your bathroom fan on the surface of your wall, you must leave enough space between the ceiling and your new fan. Our bathroom fans are designed to fit into a standard 2×4 wall so they can be installed in the stud bay between 16″ on center ceiling joists. 

And our quiet, easy-to-install fan bathroom ventilation fans come in a variety of models, from small to large so you will surely find a fan perfect for your bathroom remodeling project.

Soffit Mounted

Another option for installing a fan in the wall is installing it in your bathroom’s soffit. This can be done by simply cutting out a hole in the bottom of your ceiling and securing the fan into the hole with two screws, making sure that no wires are showing to avoid contact with water.

The Fans are so easy to install, and they come pre-wired for this particular application.

How to Install a Bathroom Fan Without Attic Access?

The good news is that you don’t have to have an attic to install a bathroom fan. There are many do-it-yourself ways to add a bathroom fan to your home without accessing the attic. 

The Process to Install Bathroom Fan

All you need is a little time, some basic tools, and the right information so that you can get your bathroom fan installed properly.

Step 1: Find the Right Bathroom Fan for Your Home

There are different types of fans, so choose carefully. The most common type of fan is one mounted to the ceiling with an aluminum tube running vertically into the bathroom. When choosing this type of fan, you want to make sure that it is rated for your space. The best thing to do is choose a fan that’s slightly larger than what you think you need.

Step 2: Know Where to Install Your Bathroom Fan

The next step is to know where you are going to install your fan. There are different placements of bathroom fans, so choose wisely. Placing the fan on an outside wall near the attic is one option. Another option would be to place it above a window that opens or on an inside wall.

Step 3: Cut Out the Hole

The best thing about this type of fan is that it can be installed right through the wall. That makes this job a whole lot easier and cheaper to accomplish without hiring a contractor. The first thing you want to do is cut out a hole. Make sure that you measure your fan carefully, as some models may vary slightly in size.

Step 4: Insulate the Hole

After you have cut out your hole, insulate it using a round piece of fiberglass insulation that measures smaller than the diameter of the hole.

Step 5: Install the Fan Box

Inside of your hole, you are going to install a fan box. You can buy these at most home improvement centers or hardware stores too. The key here is to make sure that the fan box is well sealed.

Step 6: Installing the Fan

Now that your fan box is in place, all you have to do now is install your bathroom fan. When putting in a new fan, make sure that you leave enough room for insulation between the ceiling and the bottom of your fan. Once you have it in place, install metal ceiling clips to hold the fan in place.

Step 7: Wire Your Fan for Power

You are almost done now that your bathroom fan is installed. The next step is to wire up the wiring inside the electrical box attached to your fan. To do this, you will need to shut off the circuit breaker to get an electrical shock.

After the power is turned off, remove the wire caps and connect them to the metal wires on your fan. Strip and connect white and black wires and ground wires.

Related Questions

Question: Can you install an exhaust fan on a wall?

Answer: Yes, it is possible to install an exhaust fan on a wall. However, there are certain factors to take into consideration before doing so. Also, installing it on the wall needs to be done carefully as any mistake can lead to accidents or disasters such as fire outbreaks.

Question: What do you do if your bathroom has no exhaust fan?

Answer: There’s a common problem in many bathrooms: there may be an exhaust fan, but it either never worked or was removed at some point. A bathroom without an exhaust fan can harbor moisture, which isn’t good for the walls, floors, and ceilings.

Additional Tips for Installing a Fan in The Bathroom

Here are some additional tips for you to install a fan in your bathroom wall. These tips will help you to install the fan perfectly and you will get the best output from it. So, let’s have a look at the tips.

• The wall surface you want to install the fan on should be smooth. 
• You must make sure that the wall you are going to install your fan- is flat and even. 
• You want to ensure that there are no obstacles in the path of airflow in front of the fan when it works. 

Final Note

So, you have understood that the fan in your bathroom can add some extra advantages which will help you to remain hygienic. You can install a fan by yourself but we will recommend you not to do that if you are not a professional.