kitchen-bathroom / Green Building & Sustainable Home Renovation Information & Advice

Water and moisture wreak havoc on homes, affecting function, durability and our health. Given that kitchens and bathrooms are the main source of humidity, we need to put extra thought into designing these rooms so they consume less, last longer, and help us maintain healthier homes. Durable water resistant surfaces wil...

As the largest block of our population ages – the baby boomers – a quickly growing housing trend for home renovations is ‘age in place’ home modifications for seniors and anyone with mobility issues. Arguably the two most important areas of the home to determine how safe it is for a senior to live alone in their home, ...

How to price a sustainable kitchen countertop? As a professional cabinetmaker, I have often been asked how much a kitchen costs. There is no accurate answer of course, though when pressed, I would have to say somewhere between $18-30,000. The size of your kitchen, material choices and your taste in finishing makes it i...

Clever kitchen design ideas: a homeowner's and pro's guide The kitchen is the heart of the home, but it can also be a source of frustration if the space is not designed to function efficiently. This guide explores a range of innovative, space-saving, and convenient ideas that will make your kitchen a pleasure to use. F...

Where to find black granite countertops for kitchens and bathrooms Choosing the right countertop for your kitchen or bathroom is one of the biggest decisions in a kitchen renovation. Homeowners across Canada are often faced with a dizzying array of materials, but natural stone, especially granite, remains a top contend...

How to build an outdoor kitchen: a homeowner's and pro's guide An outdoor kitchen is more than just a place to grill; it's a versatile, functional extension of your living space that brings friends and family. Not only will an outdoor kitchen let you get to spend more time outdoors, cooking outside during the heat of t...

Green kitchen cabinets - why does it matter? To improve the air quality of your home, that's why! “Indoor air quality” refers to the quality of the air in any home environment. The potential impact of indoor air quality on human health nationally is important for many reasons, including: Americans spend on average abo...

The most common kitchen counters you will find in homes are traditional laminate countertops. And they certainly live up to the adage ‘you get what you pay for’, as most of them still contain a lot of formaldehyde and they aren’t very durable. Maybe the latest generation of laminate countertops for green kitchens and b...

Healthier kitchen components - countertops If you're into healthy green homes like we are here at Ecohome, there's a lot to think about when choosing a healthier kitchen. Firstly, some beautiful kitchen cabinets, preferably built from FSC certified woods and formaldehyde-free plywood boxes, and that's even before choos...

How to repair a clogged sink drain Has your kitchen drain started to drain slowly, or gotten to the point where it won’t drain at all? Food debris from rinsing plates can add up over time until it slows or even stops the flow of water. Hiring a plumber to clear drains is expensive, and possibly avoidable for those that...

Should we consider adding a bidet? Although quite popular in Africa, Asia and Europe, the bidet has been slow to gain popularity in America.  Could it be that we are just creatures of habit? Does the idea of a jet of water blasting your nether regions seem a hard leap to make at first? Well, you’re probably not the on...