Knocking wall between bathroom & ensuite. Recommend?

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remey

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Hi,
Our bathroom and ensuite back on to each other. We are considering knocking the wall to give us one big bathroom. Both rooms are reasonable size but we only have a shower in the ensuite and bath in the main bathroom. When we bought the house the shower was in the bath but there is a large window over the bath and the window sills were rotten so we took it out straight away.

Any tips or advice on doing this? Would it effect the value if we were to sell the house in the future? Its a 3 bed semi with downstairs toilet also.

Thanks
 
I certainly don't have any knowledge about this type of stuff but would have to say if I were buying a house I would prefer to have a separate en-suite and family bathroom. IMHO it would reduce the attractiveness of the house and don't forget its a buyer's market.

If it were me I would be inclined to get a PVC false windowsill fitted over the existing one and this would stop the water damaging the windowsill. The window suppliers use them when fitting new windows these days to save removing the existing windowsill and damaging the plasterwork etc.

Replace the shower then so you have a shower in both rooms. You could also look at to try covering the windowsill. Something better quality than those Argos ones might solve the problem.
 
I would go with whatever suits you and your family & not worry about the resale value (unless you are planning to sell in the very near future).

Separate ensuite & bathroom suits more people as different family members can use them at the same time, but if your kids are all grown & fled (but bear in mind how many are returning to the nest in their 30's & 40's though!!) then a bigger b'room may suit you better.

When we changed our bathrooms I really wanted to replace the bath with a large shower, but I'm glad I didn't as several family members have taken to enjoying a bath again.
 
Removing an en-suite with no appreciable gain in (such as for example a walk-in wardrobe) will definitely reduce your resale value.

However I don't really understand your question. You currently have one shower and one bath, and you want to knock down a wall to get... one shower and one bath. And presumably in the process you will also get rid of one toilet? If all you really want to do is get rid of some cash, I can PM you my address :)

This seems to me a no brainer. Address the windowsill problem either by getting a more suitable windowsill, as already recommended, or get rid of it altogether and tile the entire window surround, making the "ledge" part steeply angled for drainage. Then reinstate the shower over the bath. Don't panic, this will still cost you some money!
 
Thanks for the replies.
Its not just the shower issue. I like the idea of a big bathroom with a free standing bath and separate shower. With one child and hopefully more in the future maybe its not a good choice.
Ideally I would like to move but not a hope for probably the next 10 years or thereabouts so have to settle and fall in love with the house again.

I knew there waas another reason why I dont like the shower over the bath..... Our house is an end house and the gable is facing out at a green and plenty of estate traffic. Less of my silhouette being on show for the estate while I shower. Its bad enough using it for the loo:eek:
 
remey said:
so have to settle and fall in love with the house again.
Click to expand...

I think that lots of people are doing this and enjoying the house for what it is. Make it comfortable and the way you want it and you may never want to move again.
 
If you plan on staying put, consider if this new option will be convenient for you in the future ie 2 adults, 2 kids fighting over one room upstairs?
 
It sounds like you live in a standard size house, so a large bathroom with room for a free-standing bath and a separate shower is a luxury, but if it is a luxury that you want and are prepared to pay for, go ahead, once you are prepared for the downside.

It will reduce the attractiveness of your house to potential buyers. Very few houses only have one bathroom and no ensuite these days and it is seen as an essential by a lot of people.

If you have one child and another one hopefully in the next few years, then 10 years from now, you will find two bathrooms very useful, and will be frustrated by only one bathroom ( I am that soldier and cant wait to get a second one built very soon).

But that is 10 years away, and you say that selling the house is 10 years away, so if you want to spend the money to have a better house to suit you for the next 10 years go ahead.
 
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