Bathroom remodel

Bathroom remodeling is a large opportunity to conserve energy and water, or to solve moisture problems and getting more comfort. Wasting such an opportunity will be an expensive mistake.

Avoiding mistakes

Remodeling a bathroom should be much more than just making it aesthetically attractive, and do not expect inattentive remodelers - even professional ones - to do it rightly.

Pay attention to common mistakes like the installation of insufficient levels of insulation and inadequate air sealing, or ventilation flaws. Only avoiding such mistakes you will get a comfortable bathroom, lower heating and cooling bills and no moisture and moldy problems.

What shouldn’t be forgotten in a bathroom remodel

In a bathroom remodel project pay attention to…

- Insulation levels
- Air sealing issues
- Lighting
- Ventilation
- Water consumption

Water consumption

A significant part of the water consumed in a typical home - often around 50% - is associated with the bathroom, making batheroom water conservation an important issue.

New showerheads and faucet aerators can save lots of water and also, indirectly, energy (involved in water heating).

Pay also attention to new toilet. New 1.6 gallons per flush (maximum) can do a good job compared to the 3.5-5 gallons of older models. You will save significant amounts of water and some money.

Water Heating and bathrooms

See: Water heating and bathroom remodeling

Lighting and bathrooms

See: Bathroom lighting

Insulation and Air Sealing

To improve bathroom comfort and to get smaller energy bills, pay attention to air leaks and insulation.

Sealing possible air leaks (namely those associated with the bath tubs) and good insulation levels is particularly important to improve comfort and get energy savings.

See: Bath tubs and air sealing

Ventilation and bathroom remodeling

There are now new exhaust fans, very energy-efficient, able to remove the moisture and odors of any bathroom… In most cases, installing such a fan is easy and that’s all…

But you may want to consider other more global solutions, involving the whole building ventilation, including fresh air supplying. That’s particularly important in tighly sealed and well insulated homes, in cold climates.

See: Bathroom exhaust fans

Bathroom Remodeling Materials

Pay attention to the materials used on your bathroom remodel, and do not forget their environmental impact.

In what concerns wall coverings, the home improvement industry is offering some innovative bathroom wall treatment products to minimize moisture and environment contamination. Between the best are bathroom tiles, cladding and wallpaper as well as eco-friendly wall plasters (made from natural plaster and pigments).

Wall tiles are a very durable material and a first choice. Just choose tiles made from natural materials like ceramic, clay, glass….

Also consider non-toxic paints with a waterproof treatment. They are good for health, namely low or non VOC (Volatile Organic Compounds) paints.

Bathroom Cladding (made from stone, wood, clay or other natural substances) is a good construction material, that can prevent infiltration into the bathroom structures.

Do not use materials like vinyl (a poisonous plastic), and avoid synthetic materials as much as possible.

For bathroom floors, see: Floors & Bathrooms