Four Indispensable Eco-Friendly Materials for the Bath

The bathroom is where we start and end our day. It’s where we care for ourselves – brushing our teeth, washing our bodies. It’s often a space in which we choose to relax and unwind. Realizing that a bath is a place promoting good health, more homeowners are incorporating green design. Fortunately, today’s eco-friendly material options mean green bathroom design can also be great bathroom design.

Here are four of our favorite eco-friendly materials for the bath

Reclaimed or Salvaged Wood

Repurposing aged wood keeps it from ending up in the landfill, an elegant alternative to harvesting trees. There’s no end of uses for reclaimed wood, including bath vanities, vanity tops, doors, flooring, walls, and trim. Reclaimed wood should be sealed appropriately with a low VOC finish for use in the bathroom.
What we like best: Irregularities in these pieces, such as wear marks and nail holes, add to their unique character and remind of its history.

FSC Certified Wood

When you can’t reclaim, FSC certified is the way to go. The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) is an independent agency whose certification ensures that wood is responsibly harvested from verified sources. In the bathroom, FSC certified wood is most commonly used in furniture and flooring.
What we like best: The Forest Stewardship Council is a champion for indigenous people and fair practices.

Bamboo

Bamboo grows new shoots from the same root system for decades, can grow several feet per day, and can reach heights of over 75’. A member of the grass family, bamboo is not only inherently sustainable, it’s extremely durable and naturally water resistant – perfect for the bath.
What we like best: Bamboo’s honeyed tones provide a distinctive natural beauty.

Copper

Known for its time-enduring properties, copper has been used for many purposes over millennia. You’ll find a quick appreciation for the ease of care and maintenance that hammered copper products offer. Hammered copper sinks can be cleaned with mild soap and warm water. They are extremely durable and easy to keep looking gorgeous, and our Antique and Tempered hammered finishes do not show fingerprints.

Today’s homeowner really seems to appreciate the antibacterial nature of copper, particularly for bathroom sinks and countertops or vanity tops. Studies show that uncoated copper effectively fights the growth of many of the micro-organisms and bacteria that cause food poisoning, colds, and flu. This is why many hospitals are converting operating room and ICU surfaces to copper – why not your kitchen or bathroom sink?
The best part: Copper is a “living” metal that reacts to its environment, changing and becoming more beautiful over time.