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Downstairs toilet with no window?

55 replies

SomeCatsLikeCheese · 12/05/2021 20:08

We’re planning a single storey extension and are waiting for building control approval after securing planning permission. The extension will put a kitchen-diner on the back of the house and turn our existing galley kitchen into a downstairs loo (opening into the hall) and utility room (opening into the kitchen). I can’t link the floor plan but it’s a classic 1930s semi.

Our architect has just got back to me to say that we can’t put a window in the planned downstairs toilet because there is currently no window on that side of the house and it is overlooking the boundary. The boundary of our property is less than a metre from our house - it’s a fence - and the neighbouring house is about 30cm from the fence, albeit with no windows on the side wall facing our side wall so there’s no privacy to infringe, if you see what I mean. It would literally be a small frosted pane of glass. But apparently we can’t have a window.

He has suggested putting in a door with the top half in frosted glass for privacy purposes to let in light. I really don’t like the idea of this - it means when you walk through the front door into the hall, the first thing you’ll see will be a door with frosted glass in it, as opposed to a 1930s style door.

Has anyone else had this? What did you do to allow light in? Has anyone had a windowless downstairs WC?

OP posts:
SomeCatsLikeCheese · 13/05/2021 14:03

That’s kind of what I thought, @PigletJohn - it was our architect’s idea. But we have decided a plain door is the way forward. Good idea to get a fire door, though would worry about DC and little fingers - they’re heavy, aren’t they?

Also like the idea of funky wallpaper!

OP posts:
NickyHeath · 13/05/2021 14:06

We once viewed a house with a glazed door from the hall to the shower room Hmm

Anyway adding to the chorus, we have an under the stairs toilet with no window, one side adjoins next door, the other side adjoins the utility room. It’s absolutely fine.

Skinnytailedsquirrel · 13/05/2021 14:28

We have understair loo, no window but has extractor fan. I love it (never having had a downstairs loo before). Its' fab.

Dilbertian · 13/05/2021 16:11

Not a problem at all, as long as there is some sort of (quiet!) extractor fan.

When we eventually build our extension, the window of our under-stairs toilet will be blocked off. We plan to retain the appearance of the window, but with frosted glass, and with lights behind the glass. Then when you switch on the overhead light it will look like there is daylight on the other side of the window.

ConcreteUnderpants · 13/05/2021 16:54

No window here either.
We haven’t got a window in the main bathroom either and it’s no bother.

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