Mike posted on January 27, 2009 08:03
You want your new bathroom to be easy on the eyes and the environment, but it’s tough to know which materials pass the green test. Follow these simple guidelines to earn an A from Mother Nature:
You don't have to choose: Your bathroom can meet your comfort expectations as well as your eco-friendly requirements.
Help reduce air pollution by choosing the right paint. Look for labels that say low or zero VOC (volatile organic compounds) as you search for the perfect color.
Pick materials with a classic look. “You might want to think, ‘Can I pick a style that’s not super trendy?’” says Jennifer Roberts, author of “Good Green Homes” (Bibbs Smith, 2003). “So the next people who live in this house aren’t going to go ‘Yuck’ and rip it out.”
Choose FSC lumber. It’s certified by the Forest Stewardship Council as being harvested in a way that’s sustainable.
Replace standard light bulbs with fluorescent versions to save energy. Look for a bulb with a color temperature of 2,700 to 3,000 degrees Kelvin for warmer light.
Seal the unfinished surfaces of particle board cabinets with three coats of latex paint before they’re installed. “Particle board is the primary culprit for formaldehyde omissions,” says David Johnston, co-author of Green Remodeling: Changing the World One Room at a Time” (New Society Publishers, 2004). He says this off-gassing – slowed by sealing – can trigger environmental sensitivity.
Don’t…
Use drywall behind the tile or plastic shower surround. Johnston recommends choosing a cement board to create an environment that’s less friendly to mold.
Keep an old water-guzzling toilet. Instead, splurge on a new version to help conserve this precious resource. A good rule of thumb: Look for a toilet that uses 1.3 gallons per flush or less, Roberts says.
Hang vinyl wallpaper. It traps moisture and creates a perfect home for mold. When he peels up the corner of vinyl wallpaper, Johnston says he finds mold 80 to 90 percent of the time.