How to fill space in bathroom ceiling after removing the exhaust fan?

Hazel Basham
by Hazel Basham

I want to remove the exhaust fan in my bathroom. We have an outdated ceiling, we are unable to find anything that matches our existing ceiling. What can I use in the space where the fan was?

  6 answers
  • Nancy Turner Nancy Turner on Nov 29, 2018

    Unless you plan on not using the bathtub/shower in the bathroom, why are you removing the exhaust fan?

    • Hazel Basham Hazel Basham on Nov 29, 2018

      We have 2 bathrooms, we do not use the garden tub which does not have a shower in it.

  • Joy30150932 Joy30150932 on Nov 29, 2018

    You can patch it with a piece of drywall. Screw it to the studs I you can see any or install all pieces to nail to. A trick I saw the other day which is really neat and saves a lot of work is to take a piece of drywall about two inches larger than the hole. Turn it over to the back and remove about two inches of the drywall from the paper. This gives you a lap to glue onto your present drywall. Use your spackle by putting some on the old drywall and then putting the lap over it and adding more spackle to make it stick. Smooth it out and sand lightly when dry. Prime with a good primer and then paint, preferably with a ceiling paint as it is thicker than regular paint and will not drip when applying. Your patched area will show after you have done it, so you will have to paint the whole ceiling..

  • Replace the exhaust fan. Check your local Building code. A photo would help, what type of ceiling do you have?

  • Heather Olinde Heather Olinde on Nov 29, 2018

    There are several options, depending on the look you are going for:

    1. Replace the vent fan with one the same size
    2. Patch the drywall and repaint the ceiling.
    3. Cover the ceiling with something such as beadboard.
  • Oliva Oliva on Nov 29, 2018

    Why would you need an exhaust fan to match your ceiling?

    You can purchase flush mount exhaust fans, or more dimensional fans with lights, nightlights, heat, and dimmers, if desired.

    Removal of the fan may subject your bath to excessive humidity, with potential for mildew and mold growth.

  • Oliva Oliva on Nov 29, 2018

    Hi, Hazel,

    Sorry that I thought you were seeking a ceiling fan to go with your current ceiling.

    If it's plaster, you could fill the hole with screening for this purpose, followed with spackling, then smooth over of use a sponge to replicate any design in your current ceiling.

    Tom Silva, of www.thisoldhouse.com has a video showing plaster repairs.