Ducted or Recirculating? What the Duct Run Costs You in CFM
Ducted range hoods must vent outdoors while recirculating hoods only filter grease and odor, and duct elbows can cut delivered airflow far below the rating.
How Much Space Do You Need Around a Toilet?
The 2021 IRC sets toilet clearance at 15 inches to each side and 21 inches in front, with 60 by 56 inches required for accessible layouts.
Why Large Tiles Need a Flatter Floor Than Small Ones
Large-format tile requires a flatter subfloor than small tile under ANSI A108.02, and the difference determines whether grout lines can hide a high spot.
How High Does Shower Waterproofing Have to Go?
Shower wall waterproofing must reach 72 inches above the drain under the 2021 IRC, with the pan liner rising 3 inches above the curb.
Minimum Shower Size, and Why 30 by 30 Feels Small
The 2021 IRC requires 900 square inches of shower floor and a clear 30-inch circle the door can’t swing into, plus a 70-inch wall height.
How High to Put a Shower Niche
Shower niches are centered 48 to 60 inches above the shower floor, sized to fit the stud bay, and sloped to drain rather than pool.
Where a Dishwasher Can Go, and the Air Gap Nobody Fits
Dishwasher placement depends on sink distance, door clearance, and backflow protection, each governed by a different standard with different legal weight.
Minimum Bathroom Size: What the Code Actually Requires
Bathroom size minimums come from fixture clearances, not floor area: toilet, lavatory, shower, and ceiling height each have their own required inches.
What Light Fixtures Are Allowed Directly Over a Shower?
The 2020 NEC sets a wet-location rule and a measured zone for shower lighting, and it rules out pendants no matter how they’re rated.
Where to Put Blocking for Grab Bars, Before the Drywall
Grab bar blocking should run the full length of each wet-area wall between 33 and 36 inches high, not just at a few guessed spots.