If you've got a utility room...

[PlaymobilPirate]

Has it got a window in it? The Architect is doing our drawings and just rang to ask. DP reckons not (it would only lead into the alleyway between us and next door)

I'm worried about it getting damp - he thinks an extractor fan is fine.

[echt]

Ours has a big window, about 5 by 2 overlooking the drive that runs the full length of the house and onto a fence about ten feet away this has made us do something with the drive so jackhammered out a bed and planted trees, climbers and shrubs, so now it looks OK.

We have no fewer than four doors, two internal, two external. One of each kind is hardly ever used but the place doesn't get damp because it has a heating vent in the floor. It's also the room you walk through to get to the beer fridge garage, so gets aired constantly.

[Sleepybeanbump]

Ours has a velux and our back door. I'd hate one without a window as we use it to keep wet coats and shoes in, cat litter and laundry!
Extractor fans are totally useless IME. I've had all kids of fancy ones and they never seem to be one bit of use in clearing a humid or damp room. I only have them because of building regs. I leave them turned off and open windows instead.
Plus a room with natural light seems more cheerful.

[loveliesbleeding1]

No windows, but 2 exterior doors.

[tibbawyrots]

Window. I keep it on vent all the time otherwise the room smells like washing powder. Some of those perfumes are migraine inducing!

[hamabeads]

We have a door, a frosted window and an extractor..

[RaisingSteam]

Have an extractor fan with a humidity sensor, and if the door is going to be closed usually, put a vent in the door or make sure there's a gap under it. Then you should get a gentle flow of air through the room when it's damp with washing etc but you won't have to worry about the fan being turned on or off.

A window would be best for light but building control may want an extractor fan too as you can't be leaving ground floor windows open all day.

If it's a room where the doors are frequently opened it's less likely to get damp than if it's closed like a cupboard.

[IHeartKingThistle]

No bit it's tiny and has 3 doors in it! Didn't occur to me to get an extractor. Would be dark if all doors were closed but you have to go through it to get from the kitchen to the playroom (strange layout) so they are never closed! Tumble vents into garage.

[thisonethennomore]

Yes. It's open a lot, the tumble dryer & iron making it very hot & steamy.
Plus, it's nice to have a view when facing a mountain of ironing.

[cressetmama]

Ours has a window and two doors, one exterior. Frankly, given the amount of time spent in it, I think I'd prefer to lose the window in favour of more storage space. It isn't very big and is north facing.

[HereIAm20]

2 windows and a door and an extractor (and a newly fitted sink) Lovely natural light for "vanishing" cricket whites and windows open after it gets stuffy from tumbledrying. If you have a choice and space definitely have a window.

[citychick]

if a window isn't possible what about getting a dehumidifier? we have no utility room so I works a treat. keeps the rooms dry.and dries out washing too. john lewis and argos have them.

window would be ideal tho. good luck

[Topseyt]

Ours has a large window. I am another who hates windowless rooms. A room with no natural light at all feels claustrophobic, plus open windows clear steam far better than just an extractor fan.

[PlaymobilPirate]

Thanks all - I'm going to email him and ask for a window :)

[LyndaNotLinda]

I'd put a window in. Useful to have natural light when doing laundry

[Kr1stina]

Isn't this an Architecture 101 question ? Natural light and ventilation are best .

Is architect otherwise OK?

[ChishandFips33]

Yes but at shoulder height and doesn't look on to anything. I open them occasionally to freshen the room

[ftw]

Put a long narrow one high up if you don't want one to look through. Even good extractors don't come close to actual window.

[QuinionsRainbow]

Ours has the back-door; a largish window, half fixed, half casement opening); a small window with the dryer vent through the middle of it.

[PigletJohn]

If you don't want a window, consider an airbrick, which will keep it ventilated and is burglar-proof. Lot's of older houses have an unexplained airbrick in or near the kitchen, where it used to ventilate a pantry or food cupboard, now removed.

[MadameCholetsDirtySecret]

Yes a window and a velux. It has a very high celing so the velux helps with air flow. We built it so it is what we wanted and it works well.

[TheCountessofFitzdotterel]

Get an opening window if at all possible, even if it's high up and no view. I hate windowless rooms and ime (and I have actually timed it) a window can clear a seriously steamy room way faster than all but the most powerful fans.

[RingUpRingRingDown]

Draughts not droughts

[RingUpRingRingDown]

Yes a huge one, with a lovely view onto to the garden. I rarely open it though as I'd forget to close it when I went out. Plenty of droughts around the window and door for air circulation (old house).

Can't imagine not having natural light in there.

Also a door on to the back garden, perfect for taking washing in and out.

[chicaguapa]

I would put a fanlight window in. What does the architect think? That's what you're paying him for.

[MargotLovedTom]

I imagine it would have to have a door or how would you get in? (Okay, I know you mean external door but it sounded quite funny ).