Exterior Window Used in Shower?

"Good afternoon,
I am in the process of designing/building my home and have a question. The
exterior wall will be a curtain glass system in the master bath (for the
view). At this point, I've planned for the shower to be on this exterior
wall but have the following concerns:

1. will it be too cold (in the winter, home is facing north-west and is on a
large river, -20 degrees). I understand if the wind was to permeate, it
would be at the joint from window to frame but there is still less R-value in
a window than solid exterior wall.

2. Will there be condensation issues? How to properly finish if the window is
floor to ceiling?

The sales person at the window company said it would be no problem at all but
I really would like a second opinion from a professional!

Your input would be VERY appreciated!
Thank you,
Michael"

Michael,

I love the idea of lots of glass in the shower, but the issues that you have raised need to be considered.

You may have a draft situation depending on the window type, size and manufacturer. However, if the glass is fixed (non-operable) and care is taken when sealing the window to the wall, drafts shouldn't be a problem. I suggest using a window with an integral flashing fin that can be sealed to the wall sheathing.

In a cold climate, there will definitely be condensation on the inside of the window. You won't be able to see outside clearly. This may be a good thing because people outside won't be able to see inside clearly either. Condensation also can create a maintenance problem when interior finishes are often wet.

I would consider installing an interior shower curtain over the glass. The curtain can be open when the shower is not in use or when it's warm outside.

Good luck with your project,
David Moore, AIA
Original Home Plans

"Dear Readers,
Do you have a question for David?
Click here to "Ask the Architect".
Carl"

Wainscoting Ideas

Companies such as WainscotingAmerica.com have developed a design system that will give you the ability to design custom wainscoting panels in minutes and place orders that will ship in 3 business days. They specialize in one piece wainscoting that is milled from a 5’ x 10’ sheet of MDF. The one piece wainscoting product reduces your installation time and you will not have stile or rail seams to caulk or worry about cracking in years to come.

Think outside of the wainscoting box and add some creativity to your project. Below are some simple but elegant wainscoting ideas that you can incorporate into your home. The possibilities are endless.

Raised panel wainscoting in a bathroom

Add 3 dimensional depth by stacking a thin panel in front of the wainscoted wall. This technique also can be used to break up a wall and provide symmetry to the panels behind the sink and toilet as in this example.

Split raised panels

At times you will run into tight spaces and trying to fit a raised panel with a right and left stile will not be practical. Splitting the raised panel so it flows through the corner is a great solution.

Wainscoting incorporated into window trim

You can integrate wainscoting below windows and use it to trim your windows and doors.

Staircase wainscoting

Enhance your foyer with wainscoting going up your staircase.

Wainscoting with matching columns

Using the same raised panel profile you can have your columns match your wainscoted walls.

Shaker (flat) panel style wainscoting

Another poplar wainscoting style is the shaker style. In this example the entire wall is paneled.

Curved wainscoting – milled from a flexible PVC

Wainscoting materials such as MDF are used predominately for interior painted applications. For curved walls and exterior applications flexible materials such as a PVC are typically used.

Exterior wainscoting and columns

Your exterior wainscoting ideas can last forever and require minimal maintenance when you use an exterior grade material such as PVC.

Enjoy!
Carl