So you want your bathroom remodel project to be greener, but you’re not quite sure what “green bathroom” means. Is it energy efficient? Does it use more sustainable materials? Is it more health conscious? Does it focus on water conservation? There are a lot of decisions and options for making your bathroom remodel ecofriendly.

Have you already done your research? If so, find a local bathroom remodeling company near you today to get started or to get additional advice. If you’re still reviewing your environmentally friendly options, here are some areas to consider:

Design for Energy Efficiency

Energy efficiency concerns the amount of energy wasted by appliances. You can remodel the bath to add radiant heat under the floor. The radiant heating element remains warm after it has been switched off, so it’s more efficient than forced air. Also consider how you warm your water. Demand or inline hot-water heaters save energy because they only heat the water you use. And be sure you insulate the pipes around the bathroom, which prevents heat loss. You can install skylights and windows to cut down on using lights, and to make the lights you do use more energy efficient install CFL bulbs or LED.

Choose Sustainable Materials
Sustainability generally refers to the ability to replace a resource, and there are plenty of places in the bathroom to choose sustainability:

• Tiles for floors and walls are an easy choice. Two options include clay, which is abundant and easily obtained, and glass, which is often made from recycled material.
• Flooring options continue with bamboo (a fast-growing grass) and cork (which is made from bark without killing trees). Both are renewable and good for bathrooms. Sheet linoleum, created from wood flour, resin, and linseed oil, is another alternative.
• Cabinet options include bamboo or wheatboard, which is made from a combination of wheat straw and a nontoxic binder. If you prefer wood, consider reclaimed lumber, which is taken from other sources (like old barns), or make sure that your bath remodeling project uses wood that is certified by the Forest Stewardship Council, which only takes lumber from sustainable forests.
• Everywhere in the bathroom you can consider re-using materials, which is another aspect of sustainability. See if you can find old bathtubs, vanities, or light fixtures, all of which can give your bathroom a vintage look or be refinished to look new.

Consider Indoor Air Quality
Air quality is a vital element of green remodeling. Offgassing releases chemicals and compounds into the air that are often unhealthy. You can help avoid Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) in the air by choosing a cabinet material other than particle board, such as bamboo or wheatstraw. Also be sure to select paint, finishes, and other materials with low or no VOCs. To avoid mold spores in the air, don’t use gypsum drywall near the shower or bathtub or under a surround. Similarly, avoid vinyl wallpaper, which can retain moisture and harbor mildew. As a plus, sustainable flooring materials such as bamboo and cork are naturally mold resistant! Every little thing matters - even green caulking is readily available.

Conserve Water

Saving water is an easy step, and even luxury bathrooms can utilize low-water faucets and shower heads, which can significantly decrease your water usage. You can install an air shower device which cuts water use by as much as 30%, but because it adds extra air to each water drop, the flow feels plentiful and strong. Low-water or dual-flush toilets allow the user to select the amount of water necessary. To conserve even more water, you can get special water recirculation systems or have an installation that makes it easy to reuse graywater in the garden.

Think about Longevity

An often overlooked aspect of green bath remodeling, l ongevity means thinking about how long the elements of your bathroom will last. If you install a super-trendy design, it will probably look outdated in ten years. If you use classic colors and design, durable materials, and quality fixtures, you won’t need to replace them any time soon, which is not only good for the environment… it’s good for your wallet!

Specific Considerations
If you’d like more information, read our blog post “20 Ways to Green Up Your Bathroom." Are you ready to get started on your green remodel? Find a local bathroom remodeling company near you today. Our remodeling and design specialists are ready to help