Designing Kitchens and Bathrooms - Venting a Bathroom Exhaust Fan

Trying to install a bathroom exhaust fan. Assuming it is not problem to just replace the existing light with the fan (is that OK). My question is really the venting. Can someone detail me how to vent it. I had one installed in a previous home, vented through the roof. I was told it is a better idea to just vent through the soffit under the overhang on the roof facing down so I don't have to cut a hole through the roof. Any specifics on how to accomplish the venting is appreciated.

Jon Hanson

Take a look at this,

http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=howTo&p=Improve/installbathfan.html#6

Hope this helps!

Yeah, I actually had just looked at that article, but wanted more specifics, such as, what type of venting to use, do I just cut a hole in the soffit, is there some kind of cap that goes on the underside of the soffit, etc. Is there anything else I need to know?

I just did one. If you are replacing the old vent, it would be much easier. You may follow the Lowes site to install a new one. But personally, I do not like to vent out to the soffit. Because it is difficult to reach the edge of attic and you have to watch out for roof nails over your head if you want to crawl in. Nutone has a ready-made venting pipe box for you. It has a black cap put over the top of roof and extension flexible pipe. about $19.00.

A bit tricky to pick up your new vent box. It should be quiet. But if it is too quiet, you may forget to turn it off. So you think of putting the vent switch together with the light switch. But some fancy venting machine do not allow you to do so. It requires a double or even triple switch that is sold separately for about $15.00. More wring is needed.

Have fun.

Bathroom vents should be run for 30 minutes after using the bath or shower. You can get timers for this purpose.