Queenslander Bathroom Renovations

What Makes a Queenslander Bathroom Renovation Different?

Queenslanders and workers cottages are timber-framed, high-set homes that have usually seen eighty to a hundred years of Brisbane weather. That gives them their charm, and it is also why a Queenslander bathroom renovation needs a builder who knows what to expect once the old tiles come off.

• Timber subfloors and waterproofing. Wet areas sit on timber floors and joists, and old waterproofing often failed long ago. We inspect the subfloor, repair or replace damaged timber, and waterproof the new bathroom to Australian Standard AS 3740 with a certificate of compliance.
• VJ walls and high ceilings. Original vertical-join boards and tall ceilings are worth keeping. We tile to a practical height and keep painted VJ above, or add new VJ sheeting where the old lining has gone.
• Windows in the wet area. Casement and leadlight windows often sit right in the shower. We can retain and frame them with tiling, or replace them — at Graceville a new toilet window meant new framing inside and fresh weatherboarding outside.
• Asbestos in older linings. Many pre-1990 Brisbane homes have asbestos sheeting in bathrooms and laundries. We arrange testing and licensed removal before any demolition, as we did for the Graceville Queenslander.
• Walls that are no longer square. House movement over decades leaves framing out of plumb. Our carpenters straighten and re-frame before tiling so the finished room has crisp lines.
• Plumbing flexibility. Because the house is raised, plumbing can usually be re-routed underneath, which makes layout changes — moving a toilet, adding an ensuite — far easier than in a slab home.

Tiles for Queenslander Bathrooms

Tile choice does most of the work in making a new bathroom sit comfortably in an old home. A few combinations we return to:

• Heritage-pattern floors. Mosaic and patterned floor tiles nod to the original octagon-and-dot floors found in so many Brisbane Queenslanders. In Graceville we laid an Italian mosaic floor that became the feature of the room.
• Small-format feature tiles. Handmade-look square tiles in soft greens and blues suit character homes beautifully — Graceville’s shower walls used a green-blue tile with a subtle half-circle motif.
• Calm large-format walls. A 600×600 stone-look tile such as the Tun Ivory Matt we used at Woolloongabba keeps the room restful and lets the VJ panelling and leadlight windows stand out.
• Subway tiles. A timeless choice for Queenslander bathrooms, especially with a coloured grout or a contrasting border.
• Where we source them. Our tiles, vanities and tapware come from Concept Tiles at Rocklea, where Kim and Martin work through the selections with our clients.

Recent Queenslander Bathroom Renovations in Brisbane

Every character home is different, so the best way to see what is possible is to look at finished projects. A few recent Queenslander and workers cottage bathrooms from across Brisbane:

• Woolloongabba Queenslander — main bathroom, ensuite and walk-in robe, with a raised VJ ceiling and retained leadlight windows.
• Graceville Queenslander — asbestos removal, a walk-in shower in place of the bath, Italian mosaic floors and an antique-style vanity.
• Annerley Queenslander — a full bathroom renovation in a classic Annerley Queenslander.
• Annerley workers cottage — a modern ensuite added to a Queensland workers cottage.
• Moorooka workers cottage — a complete bathroom transformation.
• Toowong — heritage meets modern comfort.
• Highgate Hill — modernising a heritage worker’s cottage bathroom.
• East Brisbane — blending tradition with modern luxury in a 1920s workers cottage.
• Heritage cottage, Brisbane — transforming a heritage cottage bathroom.
• Norman Park worker’s cottage — an accessible renovation with a walk-in shower, shower seat and hand rails.

You can browse every project in our bathroom gallery.

How We Renovate Older Brisbane Homes

Our approach to a Queenslander bathroom starts before demolition. We inspect the subfloor and wall linings, arrange asbestos testing where the age of the home calls for it, and talk through which original features you want to keep. Once work begins, the sequence is: careful strip-out and licensed removal if needed, subfloor and framing repairs, plumbing and electrical rough-in, certified waterproofing, tiling, carpentry for VJ, ceilings and windows, then fit-off and handover.

Hunter Bathrooms Brisbane is QBCC licensed (1215421) and fully insured, and Kent personally oversees every project. See our full bathroom renovation process, or find out more about our bathroom renovations Brisbane wide.

Queenslander Bathroom Renovation FAQs

Can we keep the VJ walls and high ceilings?

Yes. We usually tile to a practical height around the shower and vanity and keep painted VJ above, which preserves the character of the room. Where the original lining is damaged we can install new VJ sheeting, and in some homes we raise the ceiling as well.

Is there likely to be asbestos in my Queenslander bathroom?

If the home was built or renovated before 1990 there is a good chance the wet-area linings contain asbestos. We arrange testing before work starts and use licensed removalists if it is present, so the renovation proceeds safely and legally.

Will the timber floor need to be replaced?

Often part of it. Old waterproofing membranes fail over time and damage the subfloor beneath showers and baths. We inspect once the old finishes are removed, repair or replace affected timber, then waterproof the new bathroom to AS 3740 and provide a certificate of compliance.

Can we replace the bath with a walk-in shower?

Yes, and it is one of the most popular changes in Queenslander bathrooms. Removing a bath and nib wall opens up the room, as it did in our Graceville renovation, and the raised floor usually makes the new plumbing straightforward.

How long does a Queenslander bathroom renovation take?

A standard bathroom renovation takes around three to four weeks on site. Queenslanders sometimes need an extra week or two for subfloor repairs, re-framing, asbestos removal or window changes, and we give you a clear timeline with your quote.

Do Queenslander bathroom renovations cost more?

They can cost somewhat more than a renovation in a modern home because of the structural, waterproofing and asbestos work involved. Every project is quoted individually after an on-site inspection, and we are happy to provide a free, no-obligation quote.