We thought we would observe Earth Day by giving you information on how to turn your bathroom green. Bathrooms are one of the most remodeled rooms in a home and with an influx of green products in the past decade, greening your bathroom is easier than ever. Not only will you be helping reduce the stress on the environment, but you will be saving yourself some money along the way.
Bathrooms are often among the smallest rooms in the house, but they are rich with opportunity in a green remodel. No matter what the design goals for the renovation, two practical essentials are managing water and steam and selecting durable materials that are made to handle what’s often a tough environment.
Active water leaks and a lack of mechanical ventilation should be among the top priorities for correction. Not only are you wasting water, but you also hear that repetitive leaking sound. Because humidity levels tend to be very high in a bathroom, extra care should be taken to minimize the risk of moisture accumulation and condensation in wall cavities.
While addressing those issues it’s important to open a discussion about bathroom ventilation and how a proper fan system can improve the air quality and the longevity of not just the bathroom but the whole house by exhausting moist warm air that can promote mold and mildew growth. For your bathroom ventilation, install a quiet fan of appropriate capacity and vent it to the outside. Consider more than one fan if the bathroom is large, and timers or humidity-sensing switches to ensure that the fan runs long enough after a bath or shower.
When thinking green, one of the first things that comes to mind is plumbing. New fixtures should use as little water as possible. Choose low-flow showerheads, high-efficiency toilets and water-conserving aerators on sink faucets. If a water heater needs replacement, pick a high-efficiency model and consider a tank-less heater or a hot-water circulation option if the main water heater is some distance away from the bathroom.
Be sure your choice for tub and shower surroundings sheds water effectively and is easy to clean. Never use gypsum drywall (even the moisture-resistant variety) under tile in a shower or around the tub. And while we’re on the bathtub subject… is it really necessary to buy the largest tub you can find? Conserve money and water and buy a smaller sized bathtub, or leave out the tub completely and increase the size of your shower.
For a trusted local remodeling contractor be sure to check out our directory of Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas contractors.
One of the most noticeable and looked at parts of your bathroom is the flooring. Not only does it take up a large space, but anyone who goes into a bathroom looks down as they walk, dry off, use the restroom, look in bottom cabinets and more. Because it is also the most used part of your bathroom, it is important that it is durable, clean and well designed. If you’re anything like me you notice patterns and designs very easily and you also notice when something doesn’t look good or fit in.
Because different bathroom tile material types have different properties, the looks in designs will vary. Here is a list of tile types and a description of each.
1. Ceramic Bathroom Tile Design – ceramic tile can range from fairly cheap to expensive and it is the classic choice. Tile is made of clay, shale or porcelain and is formed and fired at very high temperatures until it hardens. If you are using a white or cream ceramic tile for your bathroom, using a different color grout like “blue” will give your bathroom a dramatic look.
2. Stone Bathroom Tile Designs (marble, granite, brick, slate, onyx, travertine and limestone) – this tile can be beautiful, very strong, durable in high-traffic areas, it will last a long time, is low maintenance and easy to clean. However, it is expensive, it’s a cold material, can be slippery and absorbs stains easily.
3. Laminate and Vinyl Bathroom Tile Design – these types of tile in bathroom tile designs can be found in a variety of colors, patterns and textures. Some tiles even imitate wood, stone and ceramic. It is not very expensive, is water resistant, easy to install and clean and it is durable, however doesn’t have the stunning look as more expensive tile types.
4. Linoleum Bathroom Tile Design – this tile is made of renewable and natural materials like linseed oil, ground cork, limestone, jute and wood flour. This type of bathroom floor is making a comeback with new marbled and graphic designs, and it is more durable and easier to clean than vinyl tile. However, linoleum does not look as good as ceramic or stone.
5. Mosaic Bathroom Tile – this wonderful tile was an ancient craft that today can be made of tile, stone, porcelain and colored glass, creating stunning floor patterns. These tiles are small (1 or 2 inches square) and often expensive. What you can do is to add a small section of this type of tile for visual interest to your floor or countertop. This type of tile is very popular in kitchen backsplash.
6. Concrete Bathroom Tile Designs - durable, low maintenance, perfect for wet areas and stunning. You can find this type of tile in beautiful textures such as shiny, rough, slick and sandpaper and in various colors and sizes.
If you’re a Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas resident and you’re looking for local contractors to help you out, look no further. Our directory will lead you to trustworthy contractors ready to help you out.
Bathroom windows will generally need replaced before the other windows in your home due to the moisture causing mold, rot and other damaging effects. Because your bathroom is a place that holds a lot of moisture, your replacement windows should not be made of wood. We would recommend using vinyl replacement windows in your bathroom as they aren’t likely to mold, mildew and will definitely not rot.
The firs t decision you have to make when replacing your bathroom window is the style of window(s) you would like:
Double-hung windows are designed so that the top and bottom of the windows slide up and down and release inward. These windows are ideal for easy cleaning and those individuals who like to vent their windows often.
Single-hung windows are designed where the bottom part of the window slides up and down and can release in, but the top of the window is stationary.
Fixed-glass windows are completely stationary and are ideal for viewing as there are no obstructions in the window. However this type of window is probably not ideal for a bathroom unless your home is in a secluded area.
Slider windows are common in bathrooms, usually above bathtubs or toilets. They are ideal for venting purposes.
There are also a number of other window styles like special shaped windows, bay windows, casement windows and more…
After you have decided on a style, there are a number of options to chose from:
Window Color – most replacement windows come in at least white and beige, some manufacturers offer more.
Grid patterns – if you want your bathroom windows to match the colonial style of your home you can add grid options in the windows.
Obscured glass – Obscured glass is very popular in bathrooms. Different styles of obscured glass are available to keep viewers from the outside looking through your bathroom windows.
Decorative glass – Stained glass, beveled glass, leaded glass, and etched glass are all options you can have in your windows. If you want to make your plain looking bathroom a little classier, take a good look at decorative glass.
Lastly, there are a number of building codes that have to be followed with windows, particularly in the bathroom. Expect to have to pay a little extra for a bathroom window which will more than likely require tempered glass. If you’re looking for a Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas window expert, look no further! We have window contractors in our directory that are ready to help with you remodeling project!
Bathroom cabinets are not only important for storing your necessities, they can add drama, color and variety to your bathroom. Bathroom cabinets provide countertop space, a place for the sink and faucets and great storage below. When planning your next bathroom remodel, cabinets should be just as important as your toilet or shower. Other areas in your bathroom can also be useful areas for you cabinets like over the toilet or free standing along a wall or in a corner.
Bathroom cabinets come in all shapes or sizes and can be custom made if you can’t find anything that fits your sizing needs. When looking for bathroom vanities online or in stores, shop where you can find a wide variety of styles and sizes. From traditional to contemporary, you should be able to choose from vanity cabinets made of woods such as walnut, oak, maple, cherry and finished with high-gloss lacquer that showcases the natural wood finish.
When deciding on the amount and size of your cabinets, it is important to get accurate measurements of your space. Draw a map of your bathroom and label the measurements for all walls and spaces. Nothing can set you back more than ordering the wrong sizes for your space.
Types of cabinetry that you may want to consider for your bathroom include vanity cabinets, wall cabinets, recessed cabinets and medicine cabinets. These types of cabinets are predominately used for storage purposes. If you’re looking for a more multi-purpose use of storage for your bathroom you may want to consider open shelving. These spaces can be used to store things such as towels and soaps that add color and variety to the room. Additionally they can hold decorative items such as picture frames or trinkets. Types of open shelving include recessed shelving, corner shelving and surface mounted shelves.
Other storage options that are popular in bathrooms range from linen closets to towers with baskets to freestanding bathroom sink cabinets that often extend from the floor to the ceiling.
When selecting bathroom cabinets you want to make sure to match the hardware you will need to use them. Knobs and handles should match the theme of the bathroom and the period of the cabinets. Hardware can really add up so look online for some great deals and don’t just settle for the pricey ones at the store down the street.
There are many other varieties and options to choose from when picking out your bathroom cabinets that we didn’t discuss here. The lesson to learn here is not to discount the importance of cabinetry and shelving during your bathroom remodel. The lack of storage is one of the most popular complaints among homeowners who have remodeled their bathrooms, only to get caught up in the “bigger” pieces in the room. For more information about bathroom cabinets look through our directory and find a contractor to help you on your endeavor.
Hate the feeling of stepping out of your relaxed, steamy shower onto an ice cold bathroom floor? I’m going to guess your answer is yes, and I’m also going to guess you wouldn’t mind stepping out of the shower onto a warm surface. Now more than ever, homeowners are including this little luxury into their bathroom remodels. Heated bathroom floors not only makes your bathroom floor warmer, but can make all of your bathroom contents warmer. Yes, you can actually take a seat on a warm toilet!
In general, most bathroom floor surfaces conduct heat well. Ceramic, porcelain, granite, stone, and marble all work well with floor heating systems. Operating a heated floor in a medium-sized bathroom will cost on average, 5-10 cents a day. Well worth the cost for comfort I would say. But what about environmental effects? A radiant heating system is a great option because it produces less greenhouse gasses and uses less fossil fuels than other systems.
Heating systems are also programmable so bathroom floors are not heated when they’re not being used. Programmable thermostats allow you to set the times of the day when your floors are heated so they aren’t running all day when you’re at work or all night when you’re asleep.
Another type of heated flooring is in-floor electric cable floor heating. This heating option comes in kits and is laid out on the floor then covered by a self leveling pour. This system incorporates the use of high-tech heating cables to create an economical and durable heating system for your bathroom floor. In cable flooring is not too difficult to install during your remodel and is something you may be able to do yourself.
Besides the fact that you won’t be stepping onto an ice cold floor after your bath or shower, there are several other benefits of having heated bathroom floors. Electric flooring practically takes up no space, the space it does take up is very minute. This means you can get rid of your small electric heaters or your clunky radiators. It’s also semi-easy to install and best of all it’s not expensive to maintain.
For more information on heated bathroom floors in Dallas-Fort Worth please visit our list of local contractors that can be found at the top of the page.
While the trend for bathroom remodels is to make the space larger by tearing down walls to closets and other rooms, not all homeowners have that luxury. Many of us have bathrooms with multiple users that seem tight when only one person is inside, let alone two or three. So how do you remodel a small bathroom to increase its use without increasing the size?
The good news is that all the major parts to the bathroom are made in different sizes. Sinks, toilets, bath tubs and showers can all be bought in smaller sizes. For example, instead of having an oversized sink with multiple handles in a large vanity, you can purchase a smaller vanity with a corner sink and still get the same amount of usable counter space. Or instead of a countertop, try a sink on a pedestal. You can get rid of any on-the-floor cabinet space and replace it with modern metal cabinets to fit over your toilet. This frees up floor space while using another space that is rarely used. And speaking of the toilet, depending on the size you currently have, you may have the option to purchase a smaller one.
If you have a bathtub in this bathroom, think about switching it out with a stand up shower. You can replace that big old bath tub with a good sized shower and still save space. If you would like to keep your tub, try finding a smaller size.
If downgrading in sizes isn’t an option for you, we have some useful tips on how to make your bathroom look bigger. Try to avoid bright bold colors as the base color and use those colors as accents (towels, soaps and pictures. The walls should be painted with light, pale colors which make the room look larger, the same goes for light colored flooring. Adding additional lighting or replacing the old lights with new ones can really open up and brighten a room. One last tip: a nice clean bathroom always looks larger. Clear all the clutter off the floor and walls. There isn’t a need to have your walls covered in knick-knacks and pictures. If you’re looking for someone to remodel your bathroom, please check out our list of Dallas-Fort Worth contractors in our contractor directory.
If you’re building or remodeling your home, the bathroom is one of the first places you should look into remodeling. Because the bathroom is a room almost all of your guests will be in at some point in time, you want your bathroom to be as useful and good-looking as possible.
The most noticeable part of bathroom remodels are obviously going to be the bigger items like flooring, cabinets, new tile, etc…However it’s what you put into your bathroom after the remodel that gives it a unique touch. Here are a few tips on how to make a big impression with small touches:
Fill antique bowls or shaving mugs with pretty toiletries, such as soaps or bath salts. If you have room, consider adding a piece of outdoor furniture like a woven chair or table. Lighting is a key aspect of any remodel and bathroom remodels are no different. Replace old fixtures with new trendy ones. Add accent lighting to your bathroom remodeling, like a strip of lights around the top edge of the wall tile or on the underside of the cabinets.
Draw attention to the ceiling with ornamental wood beams. Line an entire wall with mirrored cabinets or place a large mirror on an open wall. They will make the room look considerably more open. Instead of painting your cabinets, try a colored stain to revitalize wood cabinets. Mix and match colors by using a light-colored stain for the backdrop and then apply a brighter color to some of the drawers. Add bright flowers or flowering plants to the room.
Use light colored paints to soften the room and make it more comfortable. Light colors tend to open up the room and make it feel bigger.
Look for unusual vessels, such as wall vases, old watering cans or window boxes to hold your favorite plants. White tile always brightens up a room, but can be hard to keep clean. Try multi-colored slate or hardwood flooring, the slate looks great if you have a walk-in shower.
In our final article of the Green Bathroom series we take a look at some of the options for the larger items in your bathroom. Up to now, our series has focused on tips for small changes to your bathroom to make it more environmentally friendly. But what types of things can you do when you’re gutting the entire bathroom?
First and foremost consider reusing or recycling the things that you are taking out of your bathroom. You’re not just reusing, you’re saving money that can be spent on other parts of your home.
Here are some changes to think about before you go out with your shopping list:
It is possible to install a composting toilet indoors, or if you want a more conventional toilet, install an ultra-efficient dual flush toilet, making sure the one you buy is certified by your local water board.
In a previous article we explained how you could replace taps with more environmentally friendly ones. The same concept applies when you’re buying brand new showers, bathtubs and sinks. Make sure you buy faucets that use less water and if you have to have a bathtub, buy one that holds less capacity.
If you’re not already drying your laundry on a clothesline, that is another way to use less electricity. For the winter months and (more so in Dallas-Fort Worth) rainy season consider installing a retractable clothesline across the bath.
Lights are one of the easiest things to replace and have some of the biggest effects. Low energy lights are a must for an eco-friendly home, as well as a low energy extractor fan if you need one in the bathroom.
Flooring is another area where you can go green. Reclaimed timber flooring or rubber flooring are both good environmental choices for bathrooms. Tiles made of recycled glass are still hard to find, but are becoming more popular.
Use a natural paint that is water resistant. There are several paint manufacturers that are now offering more environmentally friendly paint options.
We hope that these tips are helpful in your next bathroom remodel. For other remodeling tips and advice please check out our other category pages.
One of the more obvious areas for improvement is water consumption. The bathroom is the place where we use the most water in the home. On top of tweaking a few habits we can change in order to save water, there are some helpful gadgets to help us take that saving further.
Save water by turning off the faucet while you are brushing your teeth, don’t take extra long showers and avoid baths if possible. Another idea is to put a bucket or two in the shower with you to catch water, then use this water to water plants.
You can also place tap inserts on your faucets to lessen the amount of water that is used while brushing your teeth or washing your hands. By installing a water-saving shower head, water flow out of the pipe is reduced which can add up to big savings over time.
Not only will using less water help for environmental reasons, but less water usage means less money you are paying on your water bill each month. It pays to be green!
Whether you are planning a complete bathroom overhaul, or just wanting to make a few inexpensive changes, you can make your bathroom a more eco-friendly place.
The smallest, most inexpensive, yet not-so-obvious changes that you can make to improve your bathroom’s green factor is to switch shampoos, conditioners, and body washes to more environmental options. Even the supermarkets are stocking some of these products now, but there are much bigger ranges available from health food shops and online. By using more natural toiletries you are not only ensuring that you aren’t absorbing as many unhealthy chemicals into your body, but you are also not pouring these chemicals down the drain and allowing them to end up in our water table.
Secondly, it’s very simple and easy to change the way that you clean your bathroom. Many people report a decrease in allergies when switching to eco-friendly cleaning products. To save money and packaging, you can take this a step further and make your own simple cleaning products, or even try microfibre clothes that only need water to do the same cleaning jobs.
Switching to recycled toilet paper doesn’t take much effort. There are many different companies that make recycled toilet paper and these products are not hard to find in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.
