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Beadboard in Bathroom REmodel - help

16 years ago

Hi my GC is putting in beadboard in my bathroom and my designer asked him specifically not to get the wood from a major chain. What I see in my garage ready to be installed is PRO'S CHOICE DECORATIVE PLANKING. It comes preshrink wrapped and primed. How can I tell if this is a good quality wood or a good choice for a bathroom? I always think the steam from the shower (we don't have a steam shower) is going to warp the wood but was told the type of paint you use, etc. makes all the difference in the world on the beadboard. Anyone else have beadboard in their bath? How do you keep it from warping? Is the brand he has selected a good beadboard to work with? thank you!

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Comments (6)

tom999
16 years ago
They make a vinyl plank that looks great, comes in a number of finishes also, and can be used in wet areas. Perfect for baths.
Good Luck !
johnmari
16 years ago
I've never heard of the brand he's working with but I must tell you that I have 1/4" plank-style beadboard in my bathroom that was not even installed properly (numbnuts carpenter installed it unfinished when it was supposed to have been varnished on all sides first - mine was stained, not painted) and we have had no problems with warping even though I take long steamy baths and DH showers every day. It's best to paint all sides - prime the back side at the very least - so that when the wood shrinks in the wintertime you won't get visible unfinished wood. If he's gluing it down, however, make sure that he uses an adhesive with some flex to it, because we did have some tongues crack with seasonal expansion and contraction.

You DID install a good vent fan, didn't you? THAT will make more difference than anything else in managing moisture levels in the bath.
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Hi, This is common question here. Do a search for beadboard and you'll see other responses. I did a post on my bathroom (I'll post link below). I used beadboard but recommend either PVC based beadboard-usually sold in planks) or wood that is painted with oil-based paint. I used the PVC stuff and it looks, paints, and cuts just like wood but does not react to water. I used it as my backsplash around the sink and it has worked out great. Don't use MDF as that will swell and bulge if it gets wet. Oil based paint on wood will protect it pretty well but still not as water resistant as using PVC. Everyplace makes their own variety. My was called Azek but ask your local wood store. Not sure if they sell it in laces like Home Depot or Lowes. A bit more money but well worth it. Here is a link that might be useful: beadboard used in bathroom
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Why 4x10? If it's a seam/layout issue you can overcome that with carefull planning. I made all my cuts fall on one side or the other of the "bead", effectively making the cut look like a part of the bead detail. Not sure if you've considered this, but 4x10 is going to be a real PITA to lift and move around...MDF weighs a ton. Just a thought on the 4x10...why not call Nantucket BB direct and ask if they carry it. My guess is they'll probably say no, but you can then ask them if they've ever heard of it in that size. I've also got to think they've got a pretty good idea of what the competition does.
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We used the beadboard wainscoting both in one of our bathrooms and in part of the kitchen and man have I been happy with the look and durability over painted sheetrock over ease of installation (no sheetrock finishing). I highly recommend it. As for no window any possibility of a sky light? and without the window you ventilation fan wll also become more important. Richard
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I have a bathroom at my lakehouse that is even smaller and it has beadboard from floor to and including ceiling. It's the original and 125 years old. We have the original tub and sink and it works so well. The fact that it is all the same makes it appear bigger. If you plan to put the beadboard on part of the wall I would say the lower half is the way to go, not halfway as it will cut the room to the viewers eye but about a foot higher. I think I would just paint above that since its a small bathroom and steam may impact the wallpaper.
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scottmel
Original Author
16 years ago
Funny you mention exhaust fan....We currently have one in the bathroom - house is approx. 10 years old. WE NEVER ran this fan - and of course the wallpaper, etc. lifted. We just started running the fan prior to the remodel to get use to the idea of running it, etc. It is SOOOO noisy. Is there a certain size fan you would recommend for a vauted ceiling bathroom approx 6 x 8 feet ? Not sure if what I have IS adequate but never being used it is hard to judge if it can handle beadboard now too. Any thoughts on how I can tell if the fan I have is adequate? I will look at the beadboard sizing I have lined up as well...It looks decently think so am thinking it is at least 1/4 inch. Thanks for the info!
spudderbud
16 years ago
I would double check with your designer to see if this is the correct beadboard. If not, what is her recommendation? I also plan on doing a bit of beadboard in a bathroom.
budge1
16 years ago
If you get a new fan I would highly recommend getting a panasonic whisper series. Very quiet and effective.

You can go to their website to calculate how many cfm's you need. Most recommend going one size up from what they recommend.
johnmari
16 years ago
Get a quiet fan and you'll actually use it. :-) They make VERY quiet fans nowadays, you don't have to go deaf to have a dry bathroom. I like the Panasonic Whisper fans, but Broan/Nutone (which some contractors are totally hung up on) has the "Ultra Silent" series too. Fans are rated in "sones" and anything under 1 sone is nice and quiet. My Panasonic Whisper fan is 0.3 sones and I have to stand under the fan and pay attention to it to hear it, which is nice because that way I can run it while I'm soaking in the tub and not feel like someone's running a vacuum cleaner in the room.

I plugged your bathroom dimensions into one of the fan size calculators and unless you have a very long duct an 80cfm fan should be sufficient. (I guessed the ceiling as being 10 feet high, figuring if it's vaulted that was a good average because some would be lower and some would be higher.) If you have a long duct run, upsize to a 100-110cfm fan. Oh, and if your duct goes through unheated space, like the attic, using insulated duct will keep moisture from condensing inside the duct and dripping back down into the room.

I bought my fan from waveplumbing.com; they had low prices, free shipping, and great customer service. If you don't need a fan/light, they have the 80cfm WhisperCeiling for $96 or the 110cfm for $108. The WhisperLites are $139 for the 80cfm and $149 for the 110cfm.

BTW, in addition to the beadboard I also have some rather pricey (although I used it very economically) handprinted wallpaper in the bathroom. No lifting, no wrinkling, no smearing, because we use our fan religiously. I have it on a pushbutton timer switch (made by Leviton, available in any electrical supply store) so we don't have to remember to turn it off.

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