By Andy Pace,
Healthy Home Concierge and Owner of The Green Design Center
When I’m involved as a consultant to help build or remodel a home, I spend a lot of time discussing moisture. Everyone knows that the reduction of moisture in a home contributes to a lesser chance of mold growth. What you may not know, is that lower moisture in a home also reduces the off-gassing of chemicals coming from the building materials. So moisture mitigation is one of my top focus points.
Foundation, landscaping, wall assemblies, roofing and HVAC systems are the typical designated areas for moisture. However, an often forgotten about area is the bathroom. Most folks want to have a primary bathroom that feels like a spa. Large tiled shower, double sinks, maybe even an entire wet room with the bathtub and shower within one large waterproof enclosure are on the wish lists! While this might contribute to that zen-like feel you’re trying to achieve, these large bathrooms are becoming more difficult to keep dry and mold free. Here are a few tips, tricks and additions to help manage the moisture in your bathroom area for a safer, healthier space.
Smart Ventilation Solutions
The Panasonic Whisper Sense fan is a wonderful addition to any bathroom. It can be wired on a standard switch so you can turn it on when needed. But it can also be set for a specific humidity level so that it automatically goes on when it senses the moisture rise and shuts off when it’s done its job. If you’re like me, I unconsciously turn the fan switch off when I leave the bathroom, sometimes before the fan has completed its ventilation. The Whisper Sense takes care of that for me. Out of sight, out of mind
Wall and Floor Materials
The materials used for the walls and floors of your bathroom can also really help with maintaining a healthier environment. I like the Keim Mineral Paint for bathroom walls and ceilings (not in the shower area, however) because mineral paints are breathable and help regulate natural humidity levels. As well as not being breathable, traditional latex paints can also become a food source for mold. For flooring, you really can’t beat porcelain tile. Its inert, waterproof and never requires the use of a topical sealer.
Dry Showers Made Simple
Airmada makes an air jet drying system for showers and it’s the most effective way to keep our showers free of mildew. After your shower, simply flip the timer switch on and air is forced out of 4 to 24 jet nozzles to quickly and efficiently dry the entire shower. This eliminates the breeding ground for mold and mildew and greatly reduces the amount of weekly cleaning. Combined with the proper ceiling ventilation fan, your bathroom will stay dry and less likely to contribute to poor IAQ. For those of you who want a glass door but get anxiety just thinking about keeping it clean, Airmada offers a pre-made glass pocket door, which incorporates their drying system into the pocket, minimizing water marks and reducing the use of harsh chemicals.
Antibacterial and VOC-Absorbing Tile Solutions
One step better than typical porcelain would be the Active Surfaces product made by Iris Ceramica in Italy. These tiles are made with layers of natural minerals on the surface that make the tiles anti-bacterial without the use of dangerous chemicals. These tiles also have the ability to absorb VOC’s and convert them into harmless substances. I have used these tiles in showers as well with wonderful results.
Best Cabinetry and Countertop Choices
Finally, when choosing the cabinetry and countertops, I always think about worst case scenarios in the bathroom. For example, the sink gets clogged and starts to overflow. How can you make sure the materials that get wet won’t be affected? The countertops I recommend are either a quartz material or a large format porcelain. For the cabinetry, my pick is the Crystal Cabinets products, as they offer ultra-low emitting materials and finishes. Their premium custom lines, Encore and Keyline, are also available in a textured laminate finish that looks fabulous and is more moisture resistant. These do not look like a 1970’s melamine product. In most cases, you wouldn’t even know it wasn’t real wood.
Please reach out for consultation on healthy bathroom builds or remodel. Cheers to a healthier, self-care space.
By, Andy Pace
Healthy Home Concierge, Founder of the Green Design Center and Host of Non-Toxic Environments Podcast
About Andrew Pace Andrew Pace is a Healthy Home Concierge and Founder of The Green Design Center, a leading resource for homeowners and contractors looking to source products that are healthy and green and receive expert consulting advice on designing and building healthy green homes. Andrew is the host of Non Toxic Environments Podcast. He is a worldwide expert on green and healthy building products and services customers and contractors from around the globe. As founder of the oldest healthy building supply company in the United States, Andrew has become one of the single most helpful and educational experts dealing with the day-to-day concerns of those individuals who suffer from allergies, asthma and chemical sensitivities. Andrew serves as a board member of the Change the Air Foundation and has been featured in numerous national media outlets. Please follow along at @nontoxicenviornments and https://www.thegreendesigncenter.com.
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