Ten Tips for an Eco-Friendly Bath Remodel

If you are planning to remodel a bathroom, why not consider eco friendly options that are good for the environment and will save you money in the long run. Incorporating these eco friendly bath remodeling options into your project could make your bath the greenest room in the house.

1. Recycled Glass Tile. When replacing tile in your bathroom, choose from the wide selection of recycled glass tile on the market today. One place to start your search for eco-friendly bath tile is Susan Jablon Mosaics (www.susanjablonmosaics.com), which features 100% certified recycled glass tiles in nearly 100 color choices, including solids, blends and patterns.

2. Bamboo Flooring. Bamboo, a grass plant, is an abundant, versatile and renewable resource. Bamboo flooring is extremely strong and very durable; it is naturally resistant to moisture; and it has a natural beauty and distinctive contemporary look that will set your bath apart. Also, bamboo wood flooring is an affordable option for your eco friendly bath remodel. Uninstalled prices usually range from about $4 per square foot to $6 per square foot.

3. Dual Flush Toilet. While traditional toilets are water hogs, high-efficiency units designed to save water are notorious for not always doing the job well. An alternative is a dual flush toilet, which has two flushing options, one for solid waste and another, which uses far less water, for liquid waste. Many manufacturers sell toilets with dual-flush capability, including Kohler, which offers a variety of choices at a wide range of price points (www.us.kohler.com/dual flush toilets).

4. Fluorescent Lights. Reduce energy usage by replacing incandescent light bulbs in your bathroom with fluorescent lighting.

5. Low-Flow Shower Head. Save water when you shower with a low-flow shower head. Older models of low-flow shower heads have the reputation of being water misers that don't provide a satisfactory shower experience, but don't let this discourage you. You can now go green in the shower without sacrificing comfort, since many contemporary models manage to save water while generating a powerful flow.

6. Low-flow faucet. Another way to save water in the bathroom is to look for a low-flow faucet with the EPA's Watersense label. These faucets, which are available from most major manufacturers, generally have maximum flow rates about 30% below those of standard faucets.

7. Low or zero VOC Paint. VOCs or volatile organic components are solvents in some paints that are released into the air as they dry. VOCs can cause headaches and dizziness and some may even be carcinogenic. If you plan to repaint your bathroom as part of your remodel project, look for low of zero VOC paint, such as the Elements line by California Paints (www.californiapaints.com). Elements paints are zero VOC, GreenWise certified, and LEED compliant and many include Microban technology, an antibacterial additive.

8. Wheat Board Cabinets. Replace your bathroom cabinets with wheat board units made from the waste wheat straw.

9. Tankless or Solar Water Heater. If you are replacing you water heater as part of your eco friendly bathroom remodel, check out tankless or solar models , which will save you money on energy costs .

10. Green Accessories. Finish off your eco friendly bath remodel with green accessories, such as USDA-certified organic bath products (see www.organicconsumers.org for companies that sell them) and organic bath towels such as those at www.ecobathroom.com.

Sources:

Ed Perratore, blogs.consumerreports.org, Low-flow bathroom faucets on the rise: Consumer Reports Home & Garden Blog

www.ehow.com, How to Create an Eco Friendly Bathroom/eHow.com

Ray Dobson, ezinearticles.com, Seven Tips for an Eco-Friendly Bathroom

Elle MacKenna, hubpages.com, Choosing Sustainable Kitchen Cabinets