Butcher Block – Individual pieces of wood are bonded together to make a work and cutting surface.  It is easy to sand out small nicks and scratches.  It is not recommended for use near sinks or dishwashers as they are prone to water damage.  Hot cookware can scorch the surface.  Sealing and periodic treatment is recommended as wood is porous.  The environmental impact of using wood really depends on the way the material was grown, harvested, and processed.  Select FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) certified wood, reclaimed wood, or non-commercial regional species.  Materials should meet US FDA requirements for food contact.

Concrete – Made from cement, sand, stone and other fillers.  You may also incorporate recycled materials such as glass into the concrete mix (some local products contain up to 85% recycled glass).  However, cement production is energy intensive; approximately one tonne of greenhouse gases are released for every tonne of cement produced.  Concrete will tolerate hot cookware but it is porous so sealing and periodic treatments will be necessary.  Many sealers are toxic so be sure to use products approved for eating surfaces such as food-grade mineral oil.  We also recommend that you use non-toxic, natural pigments mixed into the concrete for integral colour rather than surface-applied stains.  It is also very heavy and may require cabinet reinforcement.

Engineered Stone – Quarts crystals and ground quartz, pigments and polyester resin are combined and poured into a mould to create a dense slab resembling granite.  The slab is then distributed to regional fabricators.  It is durable and very difficult to scratch, cut, or stain.  It will tolerate hot cookware with no sealers or treatments needed and is naturally hygienic.  However, it is a non-renewable resource and most are manufactured in Europe so shipping this heavy material long distances results in environmental impacts.  We recommend Cambria.

Laminates – Layers of phenolic resin-soaked paper are cured under high pressure and finished with a decorative surface.  Although laminates are non-toxic, the resin is made from phenol and formaldehyde, two toxic chemicals.  Although it is hygienic, it is not very durable; seams and nicks & scratches will show while hot cookware can scorch the surface.  Further the substrate may be prone to water damage.  Choose products made with water-based rather than solvent-based resins.  If you are going custom, you should be able to choose a base other than particleboard like exterior-grade FSC-certified plywood or formaldehyde-free, medium density fibreboard (MDF) made with exterior-grade resins.  Also request adhesives that contain no or low VOCs which are harmful to air quality.

Natural Linoleum – Made from linseed oil, wood flour, pine resin, and pigments with a plant fibre backing (all renewable products), natural linoleum is also called the 40-year floor, due to its durability.  You can apply it to substrates for use as countertops, just like laminates.  Because it needs a substrate, choose carefully and be prepared for possible water damage.  It has anti-static qualities thus repels dust and can provide an antibacterial surface.  Hot cookware can scorch the surface.

Natural Stone – Quarried from around the world, environmental impacts depend on quarrying and production practices as well as transport distance.  It is also a readily available salvage and remnant item.  Salvaged material is available at a fraction of the cost (and environmental impact) of new stone.  It is durable and can tolerate hot cookware well.  However, it may prove difficult to repair and as it is porous it will require sealing and treatment.  Being heavy, you will need to reinforce cabinets.

Paper-resin Composite – Made from multiple layers of craft paper and resin bonded under low pressure into slabs.  Some products use 50-100% recycled paper and all can be fashioned with woodworking tools.  Thinner sheets will save money and resources.  Small nicks and cuts with this type of composite can be sanded out.  The material itself is also naturally hygienic however, hot cookware can scorch the surface.  Further the surface may stain or mottle but you may like the effect it creates.  Thinner sheets will save money and resources.  To reduce staining we recommend regular treatment.  As this type of material is relatively new to the market, make sure you choose an experience installer to avoid problems.

Solid Surface – A mix of fillers and resins.  Can be easy to clean and small nicks and scratched can be sanded out.  However, surfaces are prone to stains, cuts and scratches and hot cookware can scorch the surface.  Further the filler is often a form of bauxite – the ore that produces aluminum – extraction and processing of which is associated with caustic soda contamination of water supplies, buaxite and alumina dust, and eco-system dislocation.  Resins are either polyester or acrylic, both from oil and natural gas products.  In other words, the mining, extraction and manufacturing are environmentally damaging not to mention the natural gas contributing to the pollution and depletion of scarce resources.

Stainless Steel – A combination of steel, chromium and nickel.  It is durable, hygienic, reusable/recyclable, and can tolerate hot cookware.  However it is prone to scratching and will show fingerprints.  Moreover, its production requires large amounts of energy.  Chromium is also a toxic heavy metal but when bound in stainless steel during manufacturing the finished product is non-toxic.  BUT its production causes pollution.  It is usually anchored to a plywood base for stability and we recommend you use FSC-certified plywood.

Tile – It is DIY friendly and will tolerate hot cookware.  Further you can replace individual tiles in case of cracks or damage.  However some of the disadvantages are that the grout can stain and may harbour bacteria while the surface it self may become uneven.  Tile manufacturing requires large amounts of energy but its durability gives it an environmental edge.  Source tiles from recycled glass (we recommend products from local companies like Interstyle), recycled porcelain (Ecotiles from Ames Tile), salvage ceramic scrap, or feldspar tailings – waste from feldspar processing.  It will require sealing so make sure you choose sealers free of formaldehyde and low in VOCs.

Your stone countertops are very easy to clean. A mild detergent (soapy water) will keep your stone looking beautiful for a long time.  Avoid household products that contain acids, alkalis and other chemicals that will degrade the sealer leaving the stone more vulnerable to staining.

Rinse and dry the surface with a soft sponge  after washing.

Avoid exposing your stone counter tops to strong chemicals, such as paint removers, oven cleaners, acids, oil, juices, wine, etc.  If contact occurs, quickly flush the surface with water.

Do not cut directly on your stone counter top.  This can cause deep and permanent scratches to appear.

Avoid directly dropping heavy or sharp objects on your counters.

Avoid excessive force on top of counter tops , especially around the rim of the sinks.

Avoid flame or applying heat directly to your stone countertops even if it may be a “heat resistant” material.

For natural stones only, to prevent staining stones, we recommend that you re-seal your counter tops every 1  to  1½  years.

If you are physically disabled or have ever had to use crutches to move around, then you know how difficult it is to move around in small cramped spaces that are poorly designed.  As a result of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), our building codes have come a long way to address space design for the physically disabled.

Here is our overview of items to consider when designing bathrooms for disabled people:

• Doorways must be a minimum of 32″ wide to accommodate wheelchairs and walkers.  Doors need to swing out and must have clearance on both sides.  Pocket doors may be considered.
• Door threshold should be even with adjacent floors.
• A five-foot circle should fit in the space without interference to allow a wheelchair to make a 360 degree turn.
• Wheelchairs should be able to roll up to the sink with knee room underneath.  Do not block access with a vanity cabinet and any shelves should be accessible from a seated position.
• Avoid door latches and handles that are difficult to operate.  Level handles are usually ideal.
• Plumbing fixtures like faucets, etc should be easily accessible and should not require a strong grip to operate.
• For bathtubs, install a seat at the head of the tub or inside the shower enclosure.
• Wall-mounted grab bars should be installed.
• All flooring materials should be non-slip.
• Consider door locks that can be opened from outside in case of emergency (ie. someone falls & blocks the door opening)
• Toilets should be at a height that would make it easier for someone in a wheel chair to use (16-1/2″ to 18″)

There are many more points to consider and we advise you to check with your municipalities’ building code requirements or a design professional to ensure your space is ideal for use by a disabled person.  Kitchen design offers more details on the design points to consider and we will be covering it in our next post.

1. Don’t underestimate the importance of counter & storage space.  Many homeowners make the mistake of choosing small storage units because they don’t want to crowd the room.  But doing this just means that your space will eventually look even more crowded as you clutter counters with stuff.
2. Don’t think inside the box when it comes to storage.  Be creative and use vertical space by going with some tall storage units.  But make sure you think carefully about the type of storage you need.
3. Don’t forget to make room for two.  If you and your partner consistently share the bathroom, put in two sinks.  But beyond that, make sure you have enough room for two!  A cramp space to get ready for the day can make for a very unpleasant morning!
4. Don’t buy tubs that won’t fit in your current space.  Make sure you can get it into the house first and then ensure there’s enough room for it in the bathroom.  Larger freestanding tubs are very popular but not everyone can have them!
5. Don’t forget to ventilate.  Owners always regret it when they realize it too late.  If you don’t ventilate properly you are inviting mildew & mold, amongst other things.
6. Don’t put the toilet beside the door.  It’s very awkward to open your door & see the toilet first.  Try to place your sink closest to the door.
7. Don’t forget to think about access panels for motor/power system, etc if you are installing whirlpool tubes, etc.  The further away the motor is from the tub, the more peaceful your bathing experience will be.
8. Don’t install multiple jets if you don’t have the pressure to handle all of them.
9. Don’t neglect safety precautions.  Use non-slip material for floors & showers.  Non-slip materials are no longer the ugly eye-sore that they were years ago.  There are very attractive and design friendly options.
10. Don’t be a hero!  If you have never renovated before, avoid doing it all by yourself.  Bathrooms, particularly, are not the best place to start your first DIY renovation project.  If you are on a budget already, and have no previous renovation experience, this may just end up blowing your budget altogether.

It is not as easy as those home improvement shows make it look.  For one thing, renovations take weeks, months sometimes – not a day!  The stress of it will build as the project progresses and new problems arise.  Plan plan plan and maybe you won’t have to “hope for the best” everyday of the renovation.

Kitchen Before & After by Susan Allison:

Bathroom Before & After by Kelly Schmidt:

1. Determine your budget because like everything else there’s a high and a low end.  Regardless of your budget though, creativity will take you a long way.
2. Determine the theme that you are going for.  If you are already doing a renovation then the theme most-likely has already been determined so this should be easy.  Whether it’s country, traditional, or contemporary it’s always a good idea to maintain a consistent theme.  However, as backsplashes usually cover a small area, you can definitely do something a bit different to add interest.
3. Continue your counter material up to the wall as backsplash to be consistent.  For those who have difficulty when there are too many choices, this is always a good option.
4. Define specific work areas by varying the type of material or colours used.  For instance, try stainless steel behind your cook-top and tile the rest.  Introducing different materials will make the space more interesting and allow you to highlight those big budget items, like your Wolf range!  Be careful not to overdo it though because it could end up looking like a mess.
5. Give you backsplash the same attention your cabinetry or countertop would get.  It’s at eye level, so most likely will be the first thing you see when you enter the room.
6. Do your research!  There’s a plethora of materials to choose from including, laminates, glass, ceramics, metal, and solid surface, so make sure whatever you choose is right for your needs.
7. If you are on a budget but still want something special, choose one area to install the very expensive recycled glass tiles (for instance), and use something more budget friendly for the remainder of the space.
8. Neutrals are pretty standard these days but for interest consider adding a colourful band or border for a punch of colour.
9. If you are a collector of tiles and have an interesting collection gathered through your travels, by all means use some of them to make your backsplash a bit more unique.
10. Seek professional help if you need it and when it comes to tiling quality can vary with each tiler so make sure you do your research.

As production of glass tile increased, a growing quantity of their post-industrial waste was rerouted to produce new products.  Making use of cut-offs and mismatched die lots became an integral part of the production of some of Interstyle’s most popular mosaic tile product lines, while other salvaged glass was crushed and cast in moulds by product designers to create some of the most unique tile products – made entirely from recycled glass.

Further, each stage of the manufacturing and materials handling has been reviewed to ensure that waste is minimized; any reusable materials are recycled and; energy conservation measures are in place.  These include: recycling water from glazing production in a closed loop water system, using heat from kiln exhaust for drying of bisque and coatings, using packing materials that contain a high percentage of recycled materials, and reusing incoming packing materials.

The use of these products may assist in reducing the environmental impact of a construction project and support the project in earning LEED points.

We love Interstyle’s products because it is recycled and beautiful.  Please visit Interstyle.ca for more information & to locate dealers (they do not sell directly to consumers).  We hope you will find inspiration for your new shower surround or kitchen backsplash with these lines of recycled glass:

River Crystals

Aquarius

Agates

Aquarius: coloured glass gems suspended in a clear glass tile.  Aquarius glass tiles offer a unique blend of colour & texture within a glossy finish glass tile.  Available in 20 colours & 3 sizes: 2″x2″; 4″x4″; and 1-1/4″x8″.

Agates: lustrous glass pebbles with hand blended colours that give the cabochons subtle colour variations.  Available in 20 translucent colours and meshed sets of 4″x4″; 6″x6″; 3″x12″; 4″x12″; 6″x12″; and 12″x12″.

River Crystals: random shaped translucent glass pieces that have the appearance of smooth tumbled rocks.  The colours are randomly distributed within each piece to give the visual effect of depth.  Available in 10 colours and meshed sets of 4″x4″; 4″x12″; and 12″x12″.

PLASTIC PIPES

• PVC – (Polyvinyl Chloride) can be used only for cold water.
• ABS – (Acrylonitrite-butadiene-styrene) is used for waste removal, drain and venting, primarily in bathrooms.  It is a rigid plastic pipe that can be connected to several kinds of metal pipes.  If you are considering this, check with your contractor or local building codes as it is not permitted in some areas.
• PEX – can be used to carry both hot & cold water. It is often used for interior water pipes in residential plumbing.
• CPVC – (Chlorine-polyvinyl-chloride) is generally used to carry hot water and often used as a substitute for copper pipe.