Bathroom Lighting

Installing a skylight in Denver bathrooms is excellent for adding natural light and ventilation, especially beneficial in interior bathrooms without windows. Denver receives 300 days of sunshine annually, making skylights effective year-round. Peak Builders installs Velux or Solatube skylights that meet Denver building codes and provide UV protection. Fixed skylights cost $1,500-$3,000 installed while ventilating skylights cost $2,000-$4,000. Tubular skylights (Solatubes) are perfect for bathrooms where traditional skylights are not feasible, costing $800-$1,500 installed. Skylights provide privacy while adding natural light, reduce electric lighting costs, and can improve ventilation. Proper installation with ice and water shield is critical in Denver to prevent leaks from snow accumulation. We recommend tempered or laminated glass for safety and solar tubes for tight spaces.

Denver bathrooms typically need 1 recessed light per 25-30 square feet of space, plus dedicated task lighting at mirrors. A standard 5x8 bathroom (40 sq ft) needs 2-3 recessed lights, while master bathrooms (8x12 feet, 96 sq ft) need 4-6 lights depending on ceiling height and fixture output. Peak Builders calculates precise lighting needs based on your bathroom size and layout. LED recessed lights should provide 70-80 lumens per square foot total - a 6-inch LED recessed light typically provides 800-1000 lumens. We space recessed lights 4-6 feet apart for even illumination without shadows or dark spots. Separate task lighting (sconces or vertical fixtures) at mirrors is essential because recessed lights create shadows on faces. We install all bathroom lighting on dimmer switches for flexibility and ambiance control.

The best color temperature for Denver bathroom lighting is 3000-4000K (warm white to neutral white), which provides natural, flattering light for grooming tasks without harsh yellow or blue tones. Task lighting at mirrors should be 3000-3500K for most accurate skin tone representation and makeup application. Peak Builders installs high CRI (Color Rendering Index) LED fixtures rated 90+ that render colors accurately. Avoid lighting below 2700K (too yellow) or above 5000K (too blue/clinical) in residential bathrooms. Denver's intense natural daylight during the day makes 3500-4000K artificial lighting appear most natural as evening approaches. We coordinate lighting color temperatures throughout your bathroom so all fixtures work together harmoniously. Dimmable LED fixtures allow adjustment for different times of day and activities - bright for morning routines, dimmed for evening relaxation.

Yes, Denver building codes require bathroom exhaust fans in all bathrooms without windows, and even bathrooms with windows benefit from mechanical ventilation to control moisture. Combination fan/light units are convenient but separate fixtures provide more lighting options and better fan performance. Peak Builders installs bathroom fans rated at 50-80 CFM (cubic feet per minute) based on bathroom size. Denver's dry climate makes ventilation critical to prevent moisture damage from showers and baths - even dry climates need bathroom exhaust fans. Modern fans operate nearly silently (0.5-1.0 sones) and include humidity sensors that run automatically when needed. We recommend Panasonic WhisperGreen or Broan Sensonic fans for reliability and quiet operation. Fans must vent to exterior, not attics, per Denver codes. Motion sensors or timers ensure fans run long enough to remove moisture after showers.

Vanity lights in Denver bathrooms should be placed 75-80 inches above the floor (centered on mirrors), with side sconces installed at face height (60-65 inches above floor) for best shadow-free lighting. Side sconces 36-40 inches apart provide the most flattering task lighting for grooming. Peak Builders installs vanity lighting that meets Denver electrical codes while providing functional, attractive illumination. Vertical fixtures on both sides of mirrors eliminate shadows better than single fixtures above mirrors. If only overhead fixtures are possible, we install wide fixtures (24+ inches) that spread light across faces rather than creating harsh shadows. Lighting should be at least 150 watts total (LED equivalent) for adequate task lighting at bathroom mirrors. We avoid installing recessed lights directly above mirrors as they create unflattering shadows. Fixtures should be damp-rated for bathroom moisture conditions.