Thread: Drop Ceiling Over Tub

Why do builders typically drop the ceiling over a tub/shower? There's nothing in that bulk-head as far as I know.

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Bathtub in the upper floor bathroom?

Originally Posted by Jim Robinson

Bathtub in the upper floor bathroom?

Yes it is.

I meant is there a bathroom above this one? That would explain the drop soffit. If this is on the top floor, then I have no idea why they would do that.

It's almost all two storey homes around here and the tub is always on the top floor. There must be some reason they drop the ceiling other than just to save a few tiles.

Just the style and customary way of doing things. Very common on older homes here but not so much on new construction where high ceilings are the rule.

Originally Posted by Jim Luttrall

Just the style and customary way of doing things. Very common on older homes here but not so much on new construction where high ceilings are the rule.

Yep.

For some reason the builders used to place soffits over sinks and over tub, both have gone out of favor as people enjoy the height of the higher ceilings - gives added size to the bathrooms.

Also used to install soffits over kitchen cabinets, but that is typically a thing of the past too.

Besides adding to the visual height of the rooms, kitchens and baths, ... it is a LOT CHEAPER to not build the soffits.

It is also a big enery as well as fire stopping issue on most of the homes I have seen. The dropped ceiling when viewed from the attic breaks the continuity of the air boundry as well as thermal envelope.

Originally Posted by Jim Luttrall

It is also a big enery as well as fire stopping issue on most of the homes I have seen. The dropped ceiling when viewed from the attic breaks the continuity of the air boundry as well as thermal envelope.

Yeah. don't you hate those mantraps in the attic?