Plumber: 'Eco' bathrooms are a natural choice

Q: I'm a contractor and never miss your column, which always gets me thinking about new ideas I can share with my clients. Recently I started working with a designer on a project, and she is very excited about us offering the homeowner the option of an "eco," instead of a conventional, bathroom. I'm new to all this eco thinking for bathrooms and would like your views on the subject. Can you explain to me in plain English some basic components used in eco bathrooms?

— Bill, Rhode Island

A: Simply put, an eco bathroom should incorporate as much natural and recycled material as possible, and efficient plumbing, lighting, heating and cooling equipment. But it doesn't stop there; the materials used for the project should also be ordered from factories and manufacturers that have kept environmental concerns in mind when making the products. That's the short version. For a more detailed breakdown, please see the following for a few eco-friendly ideas and tips that can be used to create an eco bathroom:

Vanities and countertops — Natural stone is a great choice for vanity tops, along with manmade countertops that use recycled materials. For the vanities, natural moisture-resistant products like teak are becoming a popular choice.

Wall tiles: Natural-stone tiles and recycled-glass tiles work well. Also, fired-clay tiles that incorporate recycled material and lead-free glazes are commonly used.

Flooring: Once again, natural-stone tiles are in high demand. However, environmentally friendly and energy-efficient, lightweight concrete flooring can be a good choice for bathrooms with radiant-floor heating.

Plumbing fixtures: Cast-iron tubs and sinks are back in style since they are made from about 90 percent recycled materials. High-efficiency toilets and showerheads are flying off the shelves, since new flushing systems and pressure-delivery designs allow for top performance while using less water.

Lighting fixtures: Wide choices in decorative fixtures that use less energy than standard lighting fixtures have made it easy to conserve electricity in the bathroom. Also, installing skylights and making the best use of natural sunlight is considered very eco-friendly.

Eco-packing for bathroom materials: Using companies that ship products from the factory with recycled and/or recyclable materials in the packing, make trash disposal easier on the local community.

These are just a few ideas designed to get your mind going in the right direction when it comes to creating eco bathrooms. I hope these low-impact environmental tips have made a big impact on how your future bathrooms will be constructed.

Master Contractor/Plumber Ed Del Grande is known internationally as the author of the book "Ed Del Grande's House Call" and for hosting TV shows on Scripps Networks and HGTVPro.com. For more information, visit eddelgrande.com or write eddelgrande@hgtvpro.com. Always consult local contractors and codes.

Distributed by Scripps Howard News Service.