Bathroom

A bathroom is a room that may have different functions depending on the cultural context it is used in. more...

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Types of bathrooms

In its literal sense, the word "bathroom" means "a room with a bath", but as bathtubs have partly made way for showers and steam showers, the more general sense of "a room where one bathes" makes more sense. There can be just a shower or just a bathtub or both, sometimes combined and sometimes separate (in which case the bathtub may have a second shower). Usually, it also contains a handbasin or sink and often also a toilet.

In the United States, "bathroom" commonly means "a room containing a toilet" (in other countries this is usually called "toilet" or alternatively "water closet" (or "WC"), or "lavatory"). In America they are categorized as full bathroom, containing a bathtub, a shower, a toilet, and a sink; half (1/2) bath containing a toilet and a sink; and 3/4 bath containing a toilet, a sink, and a shower. The word may also be used for public toilet.

A bathroom directly connected to a bedroom is often called an en-suite bathroom. Its use is primarily intended for the occupants of that bedroom only. In French the term literally means "a following", in this case referring to the bathroom being part of the bedroom it is attached to. A bathroom adjacent to or directly connected to the master bedroom is generally called the master bathroom, unless it is shared by other bedrooms or the house only has one bathroom.

The Jack & Jill Bathroom normally pretend to be two separate bathrooms because it has two different access and two sinks; however, the toilet, bathtub and shower are privately shared on an internal room.

Design considerations

The design of a bathroom must account for the use of both hot and cold water, in significant quantities, for cleaning the human body. The water is also used for moving solid and liquid human waste to a sewer or septic tank. Water may be splashed on the walls and floor, and hot humid air may cause condensation on cold surfaces. From a decorating point of view the bathroom presents a challenge. Ceiling, wall and floor materials and coverings should be impervious to water and readily and easily cleaned. The use of ceramic or glass, as well as smooth plastic materials, is common in bathrooms for their ease of cleaning. However, such surfaces are often cold to the touch and so water-resistant bath mats or even bathroom carpets may be used on the floor to make the room more comfortable. Alternatively, the floor may be heated, possibly by strategically placing heater conduits close to the surface.

Electrical appliances, such as lights, heaters and heated towel rails generally need to be installed as fixtures, with permanent connections rather than plugs and sockets. This minimises the risk of electric shock. Ground-fault circuit interruptor electrical sockets can reduce the risk of electric shock, and are required for bathroom socket installation by electrical and building codes in the United States and Canada. In some countries, such as the United Kingdom, only special sockets suitable for electric shavers are permitted in bathrooms, and are labelled as such.

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