Green Bathroom Remodeling

Facilitating a Green NYC Bathroom Remodeling Project

March 5, 2010

Everybody wants to create greener, healthier homes these days: it’s healthier for you and for our planet. But how do you go about greening your New York City bathroom when you’re ready to renovate? There are several elements to a bathroom (NYC) that are perfect opportunities for choosing non-toxic, water efficient or recycled products. They include:

Low-Flush Toilets
The toilet is by far the most used component in any Manhattan bathroom. Style is essential and so whichever model you choose it should fit into your NYC bathroom’s design, but by choosing a low-flow toilet you can dramatically reduce your water wastage. These 1.6-gallon low flush toilets can reduce water use by 12,000 gallons per year. Using a dual-flush (0.9 gpf/1.6 gpf) toilet can reduce water consumption by even more—at least 30%.

Green Flooring
New York City bathroom flooring has to be able to withstand moisture and heat without warping, which is why tile has traditionally been the most popular and practical choice. If you want a green tile option, consider recycled glass tiles, or engineered stone tiles. Wood flooring is also a good choice as it adds a warmth and sophistication to the room. Green wood flooring options include engineered wood, cork or bamboo. While wood bathroom (NYC) flooring can be problematic because of warping, both cork and bamboo are naturally resistant to mold, mildew and bacteria, and naturally repel moisture—all valuable qualities for a green Manhattan bathroom floor.

Green Countertops
The same companies that produce solid surface and recycled NYC kitchen countertops produce materials that can be used in your eco-friendly NYC bathroom. Engineered stone, recycled fiber, recycled solid surface, recycled aluminum and concrete countertops are all eco-friendly, durable, and low-maintenance alternatives to tile or natural stone countertops.

Low-VOC Paint for the Walls
When repainting your bathroom, choose low or zero VOC paints. Why? Traditional paints contain toxic chemicals—or volatile organic compounds (VOC)–like solvents, heavy metals, chemical residuals, formaldehyde or other harmful preservatives that off-gas into the air, creating an unhealthy environment for you and your family. Luckily, many companies today offer low or zero VOC alternatives for both interior surfaces. And since they come in a staggering array of colors, your Manhattan bathroom design won’t have to suffer.

Recycled Tiles for Walls or Flooring
Tile is by far the most popular choice for bathroom walls and flooring. Why? It doesn’t buckle or warp from moisture and it’s really easy to clean: all you need is a damp sponge! For those looking to green their bathroom renovation (NYC) projects, choose recycled glass or metal tiles, engineered stone tiles, or recycled leather tiles.