Can Japan’s “Unit Bath” be introduced to Taiwan? Advantages of construction methods, construction costs and evaluation of renovation of Shuangbei old apartments

What is an integrated bathroom? Analysis of the core construction methods of Japanese houses

Those who have traveled to Japan will most likely notice that the bathrooms in Japanese hotels or B&Bs have a warm plastic feel to the touch. The floors and walls are not as cold as Taiwanese tile bathrooms when you step on them, and there are almost no gaps in the tiles in the entire space. This kind of product, in which waterproof chassis, wall panels, ceilings, shower heads, toilets, bathtubs and other accessories are pre-modularly produced in the factory, and then transported to the construction site and assembled like Lego, is the "Unit Bath (UB)" with a penetration rate of more than 95% in Japan.

Traditional Taiwanese bathrooms mostly use the "wet construction method" of cement grouting, bricklaying, painting, applying waterproof clay and then laying tiles. The wet construction method relies heavily on the skills of the masonry and waterproofing masters. Once a certain detail is not done well, or the house develops tiny cracks due to earthquakes, the bathroom will soon leak. Japanese integrated bathrooms use the "dry construction method", using one-piece fiberglass-reinforced plastic (FRP) or composite panels as the chassis. The water flow has a dedicated drainage slope in the chassis and is directly directed to the drainage holes. Water molecules cannot contact the cement structure below at all. This is also the physical reason why there are almost no disputes about water leakage downstairs in Japanese bathrooms.

The core advantage of the integrated bathroom: Why is it a black technology in the decoration industry?

Compared with traditional mud bathroom renovations, integrated bathrooms have three advantages that cannot be ignored:
1. Extremely reliable anti-leakage performance: Traditional bathroom leaks usually occur at corner joints (inside corners) or around drain pipes. The integrated bathroom chassis is delivered to the site in one piece, with no splicing gaps. The joints between the wall panels and the chassis are also protected by patented buckles and waterproof strips, reducing the chance of water leakage to an extremely low level.
2. The construction period is extremely short and the construction is clean: When renovating an old bathroom in Taipei City or New Taipei City, traditional mud work takes at least 10 to 15 working days from dismantling, laying mud, waiting for the cement to dry, applying waterproofing, laying tiles, and installing equipment. During this period, the whole family is dusty and noisy. The integrated bathroom only requires 2 masters on site and can be assembled in 1 to 2 days, with almost no dust pollution.
3. Insulation and cleanliness-friendly: The interior of the wall panels of integrated bathrooms is usually covered with heat-insulating materials. The space can quickly warm up when taking a bath in winter, and there will be no feeling of biting cold wind. In addition, the seamless design greatly reduces the space for mold to breed, and only requires a gentle wipe with a rag when cleaning, which is very suitable for the humid and rainy climate in the north.

Realistic problems in introducing Taiwan: fatal limitations in the construction of old apartments in Shuangbei

Since integrated bathrooms are so good, why are they not commonly used in Taiwanese families? Especially in areas with many old apartments such as Zhongyonghe, Banqiao, and Sanchong, if you want to introduce Japanese integrated bathrooms, you will encounter the following three fatal challenges in implementation construction methods:
1. Drainage and height restrictions on the same floor (the most difficult to overcome): The pipelines of Japanese integrated bathrooms run in the cavity below the chassis. This means that the bathroom floor must be raised by approximately 12 to 15 centimeters (i.e., a raised floor), or that a "falling plate (groove)" is reserved for the building design. The ceiling height of most old apartments in Taiwan is already low (the net height is usually only 2.6 to 2.8 meters). If the floor is raised by 15 centimeters, there will be a serious sense of oppression when taking a bath, and there will be a high threshold at the bathroom door, which is extremely unfriendly to families with elders at home.
2. The layout and size are completely locked: The overall bathroom is produced in factory with standardized specifications. Common sizes include 1216 (1.2 meters x 1.6 meters), 1616 (1.6 meters x 1.6 meters), etc. Bathrooms in old apartments in Taiwan have all kinds of weird shapes, sometimes with a huge beam in the middle or diagonal walls. The integrated bathroom cannot be partially cut to avoid beams and columns. As long as the on-site size and specifications differ by one centimeter, it will be completely impossible to install.
3. The transportation line is blocked: Although the chassis and wall panels of the integrated bathroom are in pieces, they are still huge in size. Old apartments in Shuangbei often do not have elevators, and the stairwells are narrow and full of clutter. If the size of the door, entrance corner, or balcony passage is insufficient, the materials cannot be transported into the house unless a crane is used, but this is another high additional expense.

The showdown between budget and cost: the reasonable market situation of integrated bathrooms in Taiwan

The cost of installing an integrated bathroom in Taiwan usually consists of three parts: "the main body of the equipment", "on-site installation fee" and "preliminary basic engineering". Let’s take the standard specifications of 0.8 square meters to 1.2 square meters as an example:
1. Japanese original integrated bathroom (such as Panasonic or TOTO): The assembly fee of the main body of the equipment and the original factory master alone will cost approximately NT$ 180,000 to NT$ 280,000. For higher-end models equipped with microcomputer control systems or stone touch wall panels, the budget may even exceed NT$ 400,000.
2. Taiwanese local brand integrated bathrooms (such as Yitai System Bathroom): Relatively affordable, and the cost of the equipment including work and materials is about NT$ 120,000 to NT$ 180,000.
[Key Hidden Costs]
Many homeowners read advertisements and think that they can get it done for tens of thousands, but this "does not include early demolition and external water and electricity configuration." In Shuangbei, the basic salary for demolition of old bathroom tile equipment, removal of waste (the cost of garbage truck removal in Taipei is extremely high), and re-drawing of hot and cold water pipes and drainage pipes to the designated connection points in the overall bathroom. The basic salary for this part of the mud work and water and electricity costs approximately NT$ 60,000 to NT$ 90,000. Therefore, the total budget for introducing an integrated bathroom is approximately NT$ 220,000 to NT$ 350,000. Compared with traditional mud bathroom renovation (approximately NT$ 150,000 - 220,000), the initial cost is much higher.

Business acquisition and asset evaluation perspective: investment return analysis of the overall bathroom

For businessmen who are willing to make commercial acquisitions or specialize in renovating old houses, the integrated bathroom is a product of great strategic value. Although the initial cost of hardware is 30% more expensive than traditional cement construction, its "shortening of construction period" can significantly speed up the property turnover rate. In Taipei City’s elite sections, every day a suite is vacant is a loss of rent. Using a full bathroom can shorten the bathroom renovation period from 2 weeks to 2 days, which is equivalent to starting rent collection 12 days earlier. In addition, it is maintenance-free and free of leakage disputes for more than 10 years, allowing asset holders to save considerable after-sales maintenance costs. It is the best tool to improve real estate valuation and standardize the renovation process.