Using tile in a sustainable home: An eco friendly flooring choice

100 year old Mosaic tile floor

It’s not just the construction and demolition of large urban buildings that add to the carbon footprint and other environmental issues of the construction sector. How each of us builds and furnishes our home is one of the most important decisions which influence our environmental impact.

Some of the largest contributors to the sustainability of the home we live in are the materials we use. We should all be striving to use those which are most durable, help us conserve energy, are made with sustainable practices and have a low impact after disposal.

Ceramic and porcelain tiles, based on these criteria, make for one of the most sustainable flooring choices, as they’re sustainable throughout the whole life-cycle.

In manufacturing

Ceramic and Porcelain tile is made from clay and other natural materials, which gives it a clear advantage over other flooring types made from plastic. There is also the option of using recycled ceramic in manufacturing, further decreasing the impact. As natural materials are used, there are no toxic chemicals being released into the air or water during production.

Additionally, a ceramic and porcelain tile can be created with a variety of finishes, with the possibility to simulate other materials such as wood, which allows them to be used all around the home.

A long lifespan

According to a study by the National Association of Home Builders, the lifespan of a ceramic tile floor is up to 100 years. This is thanks to its unmatched durability and resistance from the elements. Throughout its lifespan, it’s one of the easiest materials to clean and maintain, as there is no need for any chemicals to be used.

Aside from functionality, tiles in neutral tiles also stand the test of time wonderfully aesthetics-wise.

1700 year old Roman Mosaic TIle Unearthed

After disposal

Although a ceramic or porcelain tile will last in your home for a long time, it will eventually come to the end of its lifespan. At this point, it can either be recycled or sent to landfill.

Tile being Crushed to become aggregate

Ceramic tiles can’t be thrown in any of the recycling bins you’ll find in most areas – In Calgary you’ll need to take them to a recycling collection centre such as Calgary Aggregate. When tiles are taken to one of these facilities the material can be ground up and used in the manufacture of new products.

If disposed of in the landfill, it takes a very long time for it to decompose. While this does mean that it will sit in the landfill for much longer than other materials, it doesn’t release any chemicals into the environment in the meantime, which is a big plus.

Ceramic and Porcelain tiles are some of the most versatile products you can use for your interior or exterior construction project. Whether you are building a shower for your en-suite or a floor for a shopping center, tile is a great choice that will last the life of the building.

Moisture problems in bathrooms

We get asked to look at moldy bathroom tile and failing tub surrounds quite often. While we can make the tile waterproof and make it function like it should, what we find is that most people seldom use the fan that is in their bathroom. Or if they do use it, it is only used for the another purpose. To the point that HVAC installers have started calling bathroom exhaust fans a “fart fan”.

Yes, these fans do remove smells and odours. But the main purpose for these fans being installed in bathrooms is to remove the warm moist air that is in bathrooms while they are being used. Whether it is from having a bath or shower, or just brushing your teeth. That humid air needs to be removed to stop mold and mildew from developing and causing damage to your home or business. It is important to note that this air needs to be removed from the building, not just the room. Often times when we are completing bathroom renovations we find exhaust fans that are vented into attics or even down and into other wall cavities. This can cause a lot of damage in your home, by allowing moisture to build-up in areas where it shouldn’t.

Often times we see homeowners not using the fans properly because they are either loud or are not installed correctly.  Both of these problems can be easily fixed:

Sound: By installing a fan that is under 1.5 sones a fan is much more likely to be used.

Installation: A bathroom fan should be ran for 20 minutes after a bath or shower has been had in the room.  This means that a fan should never be installed on the same switch as a the light above a shower for instance because most people will shut the light off when they leave the room. We recommend using a timed switch that allows for 15 minutes of operation after you leave the room. That way you can set the timer and forget about it. Along with the timer, running the ducting properly so that the air is removed from the building is important. As well as making sure this ducting  is insulated to protect from condensation in unconditioned spaces.

Your bathroom exhaust fan is an important part of keeping moisture managed in your home to prevent mold.  Along with the waterproofing around your shower and on your bathroom floor you also need to control the moisture that is in the air.  With a high quality bathroom fan and proper installation you can ensure your bathroom and its finishing last a long time.

Check out this article from CMHC for more information on preventing moisture problems in bathrooms: https://www.cmhc-schl.gc.ca/en/co/grho/moaiprre/moaiprre_009.cfm