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Rosedale Bathroom

This modern ensuite bathroom renovation was part of a larger whole house gut we completed in 2012.

The previous ensuite was small and dark, and lacked any connection to the treed ravine below. With a focus on increasing natural light and fostering a calming atmosphere, large energy efficient windows in the rebuilt bay area now opens up the space. The ensuite bathroom is adjacent to the master bedroom and can be accessed privately through the open bay area, or by a door off the 2nd floor main hall. With the water closet tucked into a corner and hidden behind a door, this master ensuite exudes serenity with its soaker tub, frameless glass shower and white marble countertops.

SCOPE OF WORK

The original bay addition proved structurally unsound and needed to be rebuilt. Our team took the bay down completely and rebuilt it up to the 2nd floor so that the master bedroom and ensuite could open up into the space. With the bay rebuilt, we installed structural steel beams to maximize the openings into the bay and take advantage of the view and access to natural light.

All of the existing flooring was removed and the original subfloor boards refastened. Plywood subfloor was laid on top to stiffen up the floor system. New marble was laid in the bathroom and oak floors were laid in the bay to match the adjacent master bedroom.

All of the plumbing and electrical was completely reworked. New cast iron stacks were installed to minimize the sound transmission of flushing and showering throughout the home. Waterproof membranes were installed under all tile (walls, floor and shower) to minimize any future damage from water spills (especially around the soaker tub).

Special consideration was taken to incorporate the valance light fixtures into the large mirror above the sinks, and we created a custom tile frame for the mirror to match the vanity top.

INCREASED WASTE DIVERSION

  • Greening Homes created a waste diversion plan before we started this project to identify potential waste/recyclable materials the project would produce
  • The existing plumbing fixtures and vanity were donated to Habitat for Humanity, and a tax receipt was provided to our client
  • An onsite corral was setup to separate the demolition and construction waste into wood, metal, cardboard and waste piles. This allowed us to lower the cost of disposal rates due to the clean recyclable material piles

INFORMED MATERIAL SELECTION

  • The walls of the shower surround is tiled over the German engineered Schluter System as a waterproof membrane to protect against potential water damage
  • The tiled floor has been laid over Schluter Ditra – a waterproof membrane designed to absorb movement in floor systems, preserve the integrity of the tile mortar and grout and guard against potential water damage
  • Recycled denim cotton batts for sound insulation were installed in the walls around the water closet
  • California standard, lead free plumbing fixtures
  • A 97% recycled drywall product was used throughout the ensuite
  • All framing lumber (where possible) was FSC certified
  • All trim and interior doors were FSC certified

EFFICIENT USE OF RESOURCES

  • LED compatible pot lights and valence lights
  • Drain water heat recovery system captures heat from the shower, tub and sink drains, and uses the saved energy to pre-heat new water
  • The domestic hot water supply for the sinks, tub and shower is fed from a high-efficiency hot water tank

HEALTHY INDOOR AIR QUALITY

  • All subfloors were NAUF plywood (no added urea-formaldehyde) and FSC certified
  • Non-toxic soldering flux was used on all plumbing components
  • Wet applied products (wall paints, caulking and adhesives) are low to no VOC
  • Due to the size of the house, the new forced air system was split into two zones to supply second floor and third floors, main floor and basement. Both systems consist of high efficiency gas furnace, HRV, humidifier, and an AC unit
  • The HRV system exhausts stale air from the kitchens, bathrooms and laundry, and supplies fresh air to the living spaces and bedrooms

SMART TRANSPORTATION TO AND FROM SITE

  • With the central location of the site, Greening Homes crew were encouraged to take the TTC, cycle or walk to site
  • The core crew of this site excelled at the smart transportation challenge and only used vehicles for moving materials and tools (not for day-to-day commuting)