Can you put recessed. med. cabinets on exterior walls?

9 months ago

Bathroom remodel construction :

We need to install medicine cabinets on two exterior walls. Is this a problem? Are we stuck with overmount mirrors or cabinets? Any insight from contractors?

Featured Answer

3onthetree

9 months ago

It's more about how much physical space for insulation, not "extra." So the depth of cabinet, whether you have 2x4 or 2x6 wall framing, and the type of insulation. If you live in a climate that requires R20, but can only fit R5, you could be at risk for a condensating wall or cabinet.

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Comments (11)

suero
9 months ago
Yes, but have some insulation behind the cabinet.
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Original Author
9 months ago
important detail...yes
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Sue 430
9 months ago
We have ours on an exterior wall, but the contractor put an extra wall(i think) and lots of insulation in there
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3onthetree
9 months ago
last modified: 9 months ago
You may not achieve the proper thickness of insulation for your climate (insulation is for more than comfort, it is also for moisture mitigation).

You can always fur out a "false wall," and in the inspo pic no one would know the difference.
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Original Author
9 months ago
How much does it cost to add extra insulation in the external wall with recessed med? cabinets?
User
Original Author
9 months ago
We do not have snow ,so do we need another faux wall still?
User
Original Author
9 months ago
We do not have snow in our area
Ally De
9 months ago
I have 2 small-ish recessed medicine cabinets on an exterior wall, in the lovely snow filled state of New York. The house was insulated well, in general, and passed some energy star qualifications and blower door tests of some sort. Zero issues, no moisture problems, the bathrooms stays warm in sub zero weather...literally never even thought of this as a potential issue.

It's 20 degrees out there right now, and I just investigated the situation. ;) The interior of the cabinets are fine, not cold, nor is the wall around them any different than anywhere else on that exterior wall.

No clue what the builder did or didn't do. Just reporting that apparently if you have a builder with half a brain, this is a non-issue. Or something.
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3onthetree
9 months ago
Again, insulation is not just to keep warm in snowy climates, it has a function to move the dewpoint location in an assembly in any climate. And some cabinets are not small, there are 6'x3' sized ones. Little information has been given here, but if it is a concern, I gave a simple solution for any criteria.
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wdccruise
9 months ago
last modified: 9 months ago
Punch a small hole in the wall and stick a rod or tape measure in the hole to measure the distance between the drywall surface and the rear wall?

What obstructions (e.g., studs, pipes, electrical circuits, vent pipes) are there inside the wall and (a) how far are they from the center line(s) of the sink(s) and (b) above the countertop?

If you have an alcove vanity like the one in the photo, consider medicine cabinets in the side (non-exterior) walls and mirrors on the exterior walls.