Plumbing Laws.
What type of faucet? How much water will it put out? What finish? These are basic questions I hear. What I don't hear is, "How safe is it?" That's because we don't expect our fixtures to come with a disclaimer that states, "The use of this faucet may be hazardous to your health." However, California has raised that issue and recently passed a legislation called the Assembly Bill 1953 (AB1953) that went into effect at the beginning of this year. It mandates that all products distributed and installed in the state, which are intended to dispense water for human consumption, must have no more than .25% lead content. These include kitchen faucets, bathroom faucets, bar faucets, lavatory faucets, bubblers, glass fillers, pot fillers, and supply stops. A similar law was also passed in Vermont and more states are likely to follow suit. This legislation is significant because current laws regarding the use of lead in home plumbing allow as much as 8% lead content. Manufacturers are jumping on the bandwagon to adhere to this new requirement so look for AB1953 compliant fixtures and supplies as more companies begin to roll out these products nationally for those who want more "lead-free" materials for their projects.Years of drought conditions have also propelled another transition in California that will affect all water closets. The current goal is 1.28 gallons per flush – 20% lower than the prior 1.6-gallon federal standard for low-flow toilets. Assembly Bill 715 (AB715) will be phased-in over the next four years until all new construction residential and commercial buildings have been adapted to meet the new code requirements. If you're looking for the best ultra-low flow toilets or high-efficiency toilets (HETs) in the market, consider the Toto line of single flush and dual flush toilets.
Alternative Surfaces.
Surfaces seems to be getting more scrutiny as well. Granite has long established itself as the crème de la crème of surfacing. It is the most common upgrade and categorically "the must have" in any remodel or new construction project. But discriminating homeowners are now also considering other options that give them the aesthetic quality and perceived durability of granite with an eco-friendly twist. Over the years, the number of green surfacing manufacturers have sprouted up to fill this new market and even this economy has not dampened that growth.
Vetrazzo is one such company that has been creating beautiful countertops in the last decade using 85% post-consumer recycled glass formed with a proprietary formula that combines the glass with a binder of cement, additives, pigments and other recycled materials. The crushed glass within the slab gives it visual character without the traditional variations or "movements" of natural stone. It has the strength of engineered quartz, a high heat and scratch resistant index, along with a uniquely distinctive look derived from the palette of recycled glass used in the the composite mix. It also has the benefit of being color-fast in comparison to natural granite which tends to lighten or darken over time.
One other company that has caught my eye is Durcon. Remember those heavy charcoal countertops in science class? Those are epoxy resin surfaces popular in laboratories because they resist moisture, solvents, heat, acid, and abrasions–basically withstanding whatever comes their way. Durcon is a leading epoxy resin surfacing manufacturer for 35 years who recently created elements™ for residential and commercial application. It is a proprietary blend of post consumer recycled glass, resin and fine quartz formed through a unique manufacturing process that creates an incredibly smooth and highly durable work surface. This countertop has the look of a honed stone slab in five standard colors, though Durcon offers custom colors for clients. Unlike granite, it is non-porous. Its heat, stain, chemical, bacterial and fungal resistance also make it an appealing low-maintenance alternative.
Adaptive Reuse.
Perhaps nothing exemplifies this slow-but-sure trend towards green building more so than the the house itself. There's a reversal occurring in the building industry. Whereas McMansions were the order of the day a few years ago, now people are seeking the comfort of smaller, well-designed spaces and a new green phrase has come about called "adaptive reuse." Not to say we haven't already been doing it in one way or another, but it is apt and in keeping with our prevalent obsessiveness for putting a label to everything. But I digress...I think that the excesses of the past are bringing about a new wave of frugal ingenuity and it shows in the kind of green homes cropping up throughout the world from compact and/or minimalist pre-fab homes to the the architectural reuse of shipping containers into living spaces–and most especially these containers.
From outhouses to offices, to garden sheds and guest retreats, this remarkable transformation from box to house certainly gets my nod for using the concept of adaptive reuse to create livable spaces out of these ubiquitous icons of American consumption. The results? I'd call it nothing less than spectacular. I would love the opportunity to retrofit a shipping container any day! So, should I hear another question about how to make a space more functional, perhaps my earnest answer ought to be, "Try living in a box."
There are those who choose to live in adobe houses built with old tires or plastic bottles while there are others who built their homes out of leftover pallets and other salvaged materials. Some will build new and others still will remodel. The eco-challenge can take us from something as simple as a quick faucet replacement to a full-on project that will test the nerves and the budget. But as with anything else, the rewards are great if we choose wisely.
Some reference links:
What is the AB1953?
HET's and AB715
The Best Low Flow Toilets
All about Vetrazzo
All about elements™ by Durcon
Container Ideas
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