Solving Water Quality Problems
There are many options for solving water quality problems (see Table 3.1). Some may be as complex as having to locate a new water source, such as drilling a new …
Other Water Contaminants
Two other water contaminants are not covered by the EPA standards but are a concern in bathrooms. Hard Water Hard water is water with a high mineral content, mostly calcium …
Water Quality Standards
There are two types of water quality standards in the United States. The first type of standard is used to ensure that water is safe to drink or ingest. These …
Energy issues and building codes
Specifying Certified Products and Materials
In this section, we describe some of the major certification programs that certify materials and products with respect to sustainability. This list is not exhaustive, but it introduces you to …
SUSTAINABLE CERTIFICATION PROGRAMS
Choosing sustainable products and practices can take time and require research. It will require careful reading of manufacturers' specifications and other product information. You may have to become familiar with …
National Green Building Standards™
The creation of the ICC 700 National Green Building Standard™ was initiated by the National Association of Home builders (NAHB) and the International Code Council (ICC) to offer a national …
GREEN BUiLDiNG PROGRAMS
CHOOSING SUSTAINABLE PRODUCTS
Product specifications are an important part of any design project. There are many criteria that influence the best choice of materials, fixtures, appliances, lighting, or any of the many items …
SUSTAiNABLE DESIGN AND BUiLDiNG
Sustainability, as applied today, has many definitions. It is being energy efficient, but much more. Most definitions of sustainability revolve around the idea of balance, thinking of the future and …
Considerations
Good design includes planning spaces that are environmentally friendly and healthy for the user. Good design reflects sustainable use of resources. In this chapter, we will look at important issues …
Sound-Insulating Construction Techniques
In new construction, or renovations that include building new walls, sound insulating construction techniques can be used to isolate bathroom noises. The simplest approach is to use acoustical materials such …
NOISE
Bathroom noise is an issue of running water, flushing toilets, and people—well, you know what they are doing! Auditory privacy can be an important factor in designing a bathroom, especially …
Composting toilets
Another below-grade option that eliminates the need for a pump and gives the environment a boost is the composting toilet. This fully self-contained toilet requires no water inlet, no connection …
Below-Grade Applications
If the house is built on a slab, reconfiguring plumbing will involve additional challenges. In order to move or add new pipes, you may need to chip into the slab's …
Drain/Waste/Vent Pipes
As you examine the plumbing in the bathroom you are remodeling, you may notice that current local code requirements for the size, type, and/or height of plumbing components may require …
Water Delivery
Getting water to the fixture also has to be considered. Following are some factors to keep in mind. • Beyond standard water requirements, bathrooms that include a spa tub, whirlpool …
Fixtures
A new bathroom means selecting all new fixtures, but when a client is remodeling a bathroom they can make choices as to which fixtures they replace. If cutting costs is …
PLUMBING
Of prime importance in any bathroom are the water delivery and drainage systems, including the water-heating equipment. Many of the activities that take place in the bathroom rely on a …
Energy Efficiency
The energy efficiency of the window area in the bathroom is extremely important for a number of reasons. More efficient windows will improve energy efficiency and increase comfort. Efficient windows …
Window style
The type, style, and size of window you choose for your bathroom will depend on the size of the bathroom, the intended use, the view, and where it will be …
Windows
Many times a bathroom remodeling project includes replacing the window(s). If the excess moisture in the bathroom is not adequately vented out of the room, bathroom windows can begin to …
DOORS AND WINDOWS
Doors and windows are very important components of the room structure and should be planned with consideration for other aspects of the room. Use Forms 8 and 9 in chapter …
Increased Wall Depth
Early in the planning process, consider where extra wall depth may be needed to accommodate items that are recessed into walls, such as medicine cabinets and plumbing and/or electrical components …
Uneven Walls
Uneven walls and the absence of square corners may make it difficult to properly install wall finishes, fixtures, and cabinets. This can be a problem in both new and older …
Added Support
Many bathroom designs today are incorporating features that hang from the wall, including cabinets, sinks, toilets, bars, and doors. In order to ensure that these wall-mounted items are securely attached, …
Walls
Many times, remodeling projects call for altering the wall or wall surface. Whenever walls are to be removed or exposed, do not break into them until you know what is …
Stability and Evenness
Whether poorly constructed, weakened by time, or sagging because of a settling foundation, floors can become weak or uneven. Stable and even floors are essential for many bathroom applications, one …
No-Threshold Showers
Clients who find it difficult to maneuver over a typical shower threshold or need to wheel into a shower will benefit from the installation of a curbless or no-threshold shower …
STRUCTURAL ISSUES
Whether you are working with new construction or a remodeling project, special structural considerations may be necessary for many different installations. Again, your building contractor may be well aware of …
Plumbing, Electrical, and Other Codes
IRC (International Residential Code) plumbing codes regulate the types of materials and structural makeup for components used in the house plumbing system and the methods for installing them. Although some …
Considerations
Before beginning a bathroom project, you will need to consider the infrastructure of the bathroom space and related areas in the home. In chapter 5, Form 6: Jobsite Inspection is …
Storage Trends
• Multiple types. Once almost devoid of storage, the bathroom now contains multiple types of storage (see Figure 1.31) to handle items for the variety of activities that take place …
Multipurpose Space
Just as the kitchen has evolved into the "hub" of family activities, the bathroom is now taking on a similar role in some homes, with parts of the bathroom space …
Health and Wellness
An interest in healthy routines and health monitoring among an aging population has made its way into the design concept of more luxury bathrooms. Designers are including massage tables for …
