Stylish Water Savers Beautiful Bathroom Technology

Author: Neelima Reddy

Add glamour and functionality without wasting water with these artistic bathroom fixtures.

1.Tlalock

By integrating both sink and toilet the Tlalock—a combination bathroom fixture inspired by the Aztec god Tlalokc—has the potential to cut bathroom water use by 83 percent, and its stylish, too!

The design, which was created by Ariel Rojo Design Studio, places the bathroom sink on top of the toilet water tank. As you wash your hands, the water you use is repurposed for flushing the toilet. And with the two fixtures merged into one, it opens up the possibility of totally rethinking your bathroom layout.

2.FloWise Flush-Free Waterless Urinal

Featured at the recent Greenbuild Expo in Phoenix, AZ, American Standard’s FloWise Flush-Free Waterless Urinals are another excellent, water-saving bathroom option for both commercial and residential bathroom applications.

Relying on eco-friendly odor barrier technology to prevent the growth of bacteria, these urinals require no water at all. They’re also extremely low-maintenance, only requiring maintenance (for the odor barrier) after 15,000 cycles.

Their FloWise Waterless Urinals come in a variety of styles, including this European-inspired option.

3.Dual 5-Jet Anystream 2000 Shower head

The Dual 5-Jet Anystream 2000 showerhead by Speakman is perhaps one of the most beautiful, luxurious showerheads you could buy, yet is uses only 2.5 gpm (gallons per minute) for your daily wash-up.

Made with either a brushed nickel or brass finish and a unique T-handle, the showerhead gives you the ultimate in massage showerhead experiences. It has 50 full-body sprays and 8 center pulsating massage jets.

4.Purist Hatbox Toilet

For a modern addition to any bathroom, try out Kohler’s Purist Hatbox toilet that’s both compact and water-efficient. Though this one requires an electrical outlet and a coordinating powered-pump to get the job done, it gets a great 1.6 gpf (gallons per flush).

The Power Lite flushing technology is in part the secret to the fixture’s low water consumption, since the adding push of an energized flush requires less liquid for complete elimination.

Added features include an elongated bowl, slow close toilet seat, electronic “soft touch’ actuation, and, well, the allure or a minimalist design.

5.Danze Low-Flow Shower head

If a rain shower is more to your liking in the morning, then perhaps the Danze Low-Flow showerhead is for you.

Sipping only 1.5 gpm, this showerhead is made of solid brass and fitted with 84 jets to give you a soft, relaxing shower experience in the morning. Available finishes include brushed nickel, distressed nickel, and oil-rubbed bronze so that you can customize your bathroom’s look.

6.90 Degree WaterSense Faucet

Give your bathroom an ultra-modern look with the Moen 90 Degree WaterSense faucet. With a really low flow rate of 1.5 gpm, this stylish, unique faucet has a chrome finish and one-handle lever design for easy use.

It meets the federal WaterSense criteria for water conservation, so you can be sure to be saving a good deal of water with every wash.

7.Axor Starck X faucet

Finally, for another twist on contemporary bathroom design, check out the Hansgrohe Axor Starck X faucet with single-lever operation and ceramic cartridge design.

This is another WaterSense rated fixture and gets 1.5 gpm as well.

Enjoy the beautiful design without the worry over water.

About the Author:

Neelima Reddy, author of this article writes for HomeInteriorsZone.com. Home Interiors blog helps you learn everything you need to know about home improvement aspects. Know more about home remodeling, home renovating tips, interior decorating tips, etc. Visit Home Interiors Blog

Article Source: ArticlesBase.com - Stylish Water Savers Beautiful Bathroom Technology

Composting Toilets: Clean, Odorless & Money Saving!

Author: Ellen Bell

If you're like most people, chances are you don't really know what a composting toilet is or how it works. If your initial reaction to the idea is one of disgust, then read on, because we're about to shed some light on the subject! Many people think of a composting toilet as something similar to a port-a-potty or an outhouse. Contrary to this unpleasant image, composting toilets are very clean and sanitary, and they make a great alternative to traditional fixtures. In this article, we'll explain how composting toilets work, and why they are a superior waste management solution that you just might want to consider for your home.

The biggest misconception surrounding composting toilets is that they smell. In reality, nothing could be farther from the truth! If you purchase the right unit, it will be 100% odor free. Good composting toilets use a venting system to maintain odor free operation. A 2" or 4" vent stack must be installed to run vertically up from the toilet and out the roofline of your home. The vent stack is designed to draw air downward through the seat and then up and out the vent. This maintains a partial vacuum inside the unit and ensures that no odor can enter the bathroom. In some units, there is also a small fan assembly to assist with airflow.

There are many varieties of composting toilets to choose from, and contrary to popular belief, not all of them are waterless! There are many composting systems available that use water flushing toilets. These types of units are called central systems, and they are made up of a central composting unit (picture a big box) that sits in the basement or lower level. A separate, more traditional-looking toilet fixture is installed in the bathroom and connected to your water pipes to provide flushing liquid.

The finished product from a composting toilet is, of course, compost. While the uninitiated might have concerns about compost coming from human waste, there is no need to worry. Provided that you followed the manufacturer's instructions, the finished product from your composting unit will be clean and non-offensive. In fact, it will look and smell just like any other normal compost you might purchase from a nursery or garden center.

When shopping for a composting toilet, be sure to look into the product's certifications. Has it been tested to comply with national or international standards for waste management systems? Within North America, composting toilet systems are tested to NSF/ANSI Standard #41. To date, only two manufacturers of composting toilets have successfully had their systems tested and certified to comply with this standard. The first is Clivus Multrum, a manufacturer of composting systems designed for use in parks and outdoor facilities. The second is Sun-Mar, a Canadian manufacturer of composting toilets designed and approved for residential use. It may be helpful to note that, for consumer's protection and safety, the NSF only certifies composting toilets that are odorless and that produce compost with fecal coliform that does not exceed 200 MPN per gram. In other words, if you use the unit correctly, the finished compost is sanitary and it will not make anyone sick.

Traditional toilets use as much as 30% of the average household's water consumption. As we move through the 21st century, composting toilets will become an increasingly popular choice for those who need to conserve water, or who simply wish to save money on expensive water and sewer costs. Furthermore, composting toilets are no longer the ugly, awkward fixtures of the past. Modern systems are sleek and contemporary, and blend perfectly in a residential setting. If you're like other Americans looking for ways to save money or minimize your ecological impact, now may be a good time to consider a composting toilet system for your home.

About the Author:

For more information on how compost toilets can save you money, visit the Composting Toilet Store at http://www.composting-toilet-store.com/Composting_Toilets_s/3.htm

Article Source: ArticlesBase.com - Composting Toilets: Clean, Odorless & Money Saving!

8 Easy Tips To Finding The Right Toilet

Author: Rob Barnes

Maybe you're building a house, or you're remodeling. With the all the things you're thinking about, the toilet probably doesn't seem too important. However, don't forget about the toilet, a true hallmark of a civilized home. Following a few straightforward steps can help you find a toilet that is right for you, both functionally and aesthetically. Remember, all toilets are not built the same!



Look for this in a toilet:



1). The toilet bowl's shape: You can choose an elongated shape or a round one. The round front tends to be two inches shorter, and works well for smaller spaces. The larger elongated front is more comfortable and sanitary, since there is less drip on the toilet.



2). The toilet size: There are lots of choices, with different lengths, widths and heights To get a comfortable fit, make sure you measure the available space. Don't forget about the rough-in space - the distance of the bowl's center to the finished wall - as this too will determine the toilet's maximum size.



3). The toilet trapway's size: The trap way is that part of the toilet that through which the water and waste exit. The smallest size available passes through waste of a 1.5 inch diameter. Larger trapways make it less likely that the toilet will get clogged.



4). How the toilet flushes: In the US, by law all toilets must have a 1.6 gallon tank to conserve water. However, you do still have some choices. In gravity fed toilets, the weight of the water from the tank pushes the waste through an S shaped trap way, as the siphon that is created empties the bowl. For a little extra flushing help, pressure assisted toilets use compressed air in the toilet tank. When flushing, the pressurized air pushes the water more strongly into the bowl, resulting in a better flush. On the downside, besides the bigger expense, these toilets tend to be noisier and harder to repair.



5). 1 or 2 piece toilets: For the budget minded, toilets consisting of the two separate pieces of toilet bowl and tank are appropriate. There are up to six parts in a one piece toilet that seamlessy make it up. These have a bit more style to them (with a correspondingly more expensive price tag), and need less space and are easier to clean.



6). Ease of maintaining: Many higher end toilets are built explicitly for ease of maintenance. For instance, Toto, an innovative Japanese manufacturer, has SanaGloss, a ceramic glaze which prevents bacteria and mold buildup, making the toilet easy to clean. American Standard has its EasyClean feature. The designers at Kohler have come up with an insulated liner that prevents moisture from condensation on the toilet tank's outside.



7). Appearance: While a toilet needs to work well, it also needs to look good in your bathroom. It's a good thing that modern toilets are available in a wide array of styles, sizes and colors. This can come at a price - for instance, non-white toilets tend to be more expensive. One approach you may to consider is to choose a toilet that is part of a bathroom suite, thus ensuring that are the fixtures are in harmony.



8). What else?: If you're willing to spend the money, you can get a fancy toilet with a built in bidet, heated seat or air drying system. Kohler Comfort Height toilets have a higher seat, making sitting down and standing easier.



You're now ready to go and choose your perfect toilet.

About the Author:
Rob Barnes writes for All About Toilets, a consumer guide to choosing perfect toilets for your home, reviewing styles such as low flow toilets.

Article Source: ArticlesBase.com - 8 Easy Tips To Finding The Right Toilet

The Basics of Good Bathroom Design

Author: Richard Taylor, AIA

To a plumber, the difference between one bathroom and another is a matter of degrees; some baths are bigger, some have more fixtures, but in the end, everything flows downhill. Get the fresh water in, get the wastewater out – mission accomplished.

But planning a bathroom is much more than just connecting the pipes. There are many possible configurations and types of baths and a large number of finishes and fixtures to select. And it’s one of the most expensive rooms in the house.

We all know what a bathroom is used for – that hasn’t changed – but baths today are designed for specific users. In today’s homes the “masters” of the house usually have a private luxury bath, and their children often have baths of their own. Another bath may be set aside for guest use, and if the home has a lower-level recreation room, there will probably be a conveniently located bath to go with it too.

The Muck Stops Here

You probably didn’t’ grow up in a house with a utility bath but your mom wishes you did - it’s the bath that comes between the muddy kids and mom’s nice, clean floors and gives dad a place to wash his golf clubs (other than in the kitchen sink). Ideally, the utility bath is part of a family entry/mud room area, probably between the garage and the kitchen. It’s also often combined with the laundry room – the basin can do double duty as a washtub. A toilet and a basin are the only necessary fixtures; add a small shower if you’re a frequent gardener or if your kids often find their way to the creek in the backyard.

Two Kids, One Pail Of Water

Upstairs baths come in a wide variety of configurations. The basic “hall bath” has a sink, toilet, and tub and is accessed by two or more bedrooms through a common hallway. A hall bath can be as small as 5 feet wide by 8 feet long.

But because the hall bath has all of the fixtures in one room, only one person can use it at a time. A better solution is the compartmentalized bath – a slightly larger version of the hall bath that places one or two basins in a separate room from the toilet and tub. Now one teenager can use the tub or toilet in privacy while another uses the basin. It’s a far more family-friendly arrangement and doesn’t take up much more space.

Separate baths for each bedroom are the ultimate in convenience and privacy, but nearly as good is the “Jack-and-Jill” bath. Young Jack and young Jill share a common tub and toilet, but each has a private basin, countertop, storage drawers, and mirror. Usually that basin is accessible directly from the bedroom and provides a private dressing and grooming area for each child. It’s a great way to keep teenagers from fighting over the basin and countertop space without the expense of two separate baths.

Domain of the Master

The big whirlpool bathtub was the centerpiece of the luxury “master bath” just a few years ago, but in many designs its’ prominent place is challenged by the luxury shower. In fact, we’ve recently been asked to design several new homes with a big shower but no tub at all in the master bath. It’s a bit unusual, but why install a tub you’ll never use?

The large showers we’re designing in homes today are hard to beat for relaxation. Most have multiple showerheads and body-spray fixtures; all have large built-in bench seats. A few have steam units and built-in media centers.

The greatest luxuries in these baths are privacy and personal space, so every luxury bath has a separate basin and countertop space for each of the owners. They’re occasionally side-by-side but often they’re completely separated from each other. Every luxury bath must also have a private toilet room – an absolutely essential feature if more than one person is to use the bath simultaneously.

American Standards

It wasn’t long ago that the average American home had no more than two baths – one upstairs and one down – but as the size of homes has grown, so has the number and complexity of baths. It’s not uncommon today to find four or five baths in a home, each one dedicated to a specific occupant or specific use. Careful consideration of who’s using which bath will help to make your home more convenient and comfortable for everyone in it. Even the plumber.

About the Author:

I have over 20 years’ experience in the field of architecture and have designed homes and buildings across the country.



I see my work as much more than just designing homes - I see residential architecture as an expression of a social art; an art with a strong responsibility to culture and environment, expressed in its enrichment of family life and by its contribution to community.



I truly love my work, and look forward to sharing the excitement of the custom design process with you.



Richard Taylor, AIA

President

Richard Taylor Architects, LLC

Residential Architects

Article Source: ArticlesBase.com - The Basics of Good Bathroom Design