Comments on: Sustainable bathrooms

By: ibika

ibika — Tue, 19 Feb 2013 05:52:33 +0000

thanks again michael.. appreciate your help and direction.. cheers!!

By: Michael

Michael — Tue, 19 Feb 2013 03:52:19 +0000

Ibika: yes – a useful overview of cement is here:
“CO2 emissions
Carbon concentration in cement spans from ?5% in cement structures to ?8% in the case of roads in cement.[29] Cement manufacturing releases CO2 in the atmosphere both directly when calcium carbonate is heated, producing lime and carbon dioxide,[30] and also indirectly through the use of energy if its production involves the emission of CO2. The cement industry produces about 5% of global man-made CO2 emissions, of which 50% is from the chemical process, and 40% from burning fuel.[31] The amount of CO2 emitted by the cement industry is nearly 900 kg of CO2 for every 1000 kg of cement produced. [32] The high proportion of carbon dioxide produced in the chemical reaction leads to large decrease in mass in the conversion from limestone to cement. So, to reduce the transport of heavier raw materials and to mimimize the associated costs, it is more economical for cement plants to be closer to the limestone quarries rather than to the consumer centers.[33]

In certain applications, lime mortar reabsorbs the same amount of CO2 as was released in its manufacture, and has a lower energy requirement in production than mainstream cement. Newly developed cement types from Novacem[34] and Eco-cement can absorb carbon dioxide from ambient air during hardening.[35] Use of the Kalina cycle during production can also increase energy efficiency.

[edit]“:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cement#Environmental_impacts

By: ibika

ibika — Tue, 19 Feb 2013 02:11:36 +0000

mm is there any good websites or other references to direct people to if one wishes to try and show people data around why they shouldnt use ceramics, concrete, grout etc?..
cheers

By: jojo

jojo — Mon, 04 Feb 2013 01:35:27 +0000

Once the bathroom is constructed the sustainability comes in being able to keep it clean without chemicals. Materials that do not harbour moulds and a heating system that dries it quickly may be more sustainable over a lifetime than the actual building material. I have not used chemical cleaners in my bathroom for 20 months. It is wiped down immediately after showering with a microfibre cloth then towelled. Takes 2 minutes a day. Glass splash protector has eco surface protection and wipes sparkling clear every day. A large shower space for walking directly into and no door also means great air circulation, no nooks and crannies. Toilet is flushed from tank water. The walls are venetian plaster and the floors are painted with non toxic paint. There is no grout. A hydronically heated towel rail dries the wet towels. Hot western sun pours in so the room is very dry. If I had my choice over I would probably have hydronically heated the floor in there.

By: Michael

Michael — Mon, 04 Feb 2013 01:11:59 +0000

yes; it’s just one sheet I think that’s acting as a floor-wide drain, too

By: ibika

ibika — Fri, 01 Feb 2013 06:09:28 +0000

Hi MM, so the sub flooring is recycled steel??..