With construction accounting for around 44% of the nation’s total carbon emissions, the sector is a prime area for reduction if the UK is to hit its target of achieving net zero by 2050. To do this, the Government has set the ambitious target of a 78% reduction in carbon emissions across the sector by 2035, driven by initiatives like waste-to-landfill targets and landfill diversion commitments.
These pledges are becoming increasingly pivotal to procurement decisions, which means specifiers must think long and hard about the most environmentally friendly materials that are available to use on projects. Bathroom specification is by no means exempt from these changes, with surface selection presenting distinct challenges in meeting sustainability goals.
TRADITIONAL TILING
Traditional tiling has long been the go-to choice for bathroom installations and remains widely specified across the residential housebuilding sector due to its familiarity, availability and established installation methods. Despite its popularity, however, there are environmental and practical considerations that make it a less favourable option for modern houses.
Firstly, the installation of traditional tiling involves the use of water-based grout and adhesive mixes; a process that requires considerable amounts of water and which can leave residue behind on site. The mixing process, meanwhile, can itself be highly water intensive, especially when taps are left running to clean tools and other materials following use. Besides adding to the overall cost of the project, this can undermine developers’ efforts to keep water usage on site to a minimum.
Furthermore, accruing large amounts of single-use plastic waste, such as spacers, wedges and their packaging, can add significantly to the overall waste of a project, harming any efforts to limit the material that is sent to landfill.
It’s not only the process of installing traditional tiling that is especially carbon intensive, but its production too. This is because most production processes include the thermal treatment of tiles, typically through the use of kilns that burn natural gas, a fossil fuel. When this gas is combusted, it produces the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide, which in turn contributes significantly to the carbon footprint of installation projects.
What’s more, with traditional bathroom tiling typically being so heavy, transporting tiles to site can have a huge bearing on a project’s overall carbon emissions and logistical costs, particularly when you consider the amount of fuel needed to complete deliveries.
CHOOSING THE RIGHT WALL SURFACE
The choice of wall surfaces for bathroom projects can have a significant impact from an environmental standpoint. As such, building professionals must think carefully about which materials will contribute positively to meeting their ESG and compliance goals, and which are only going to hamper their efforts. However, it stands to reason that developers will not wish to sacrifice the performance nor the aesthetics of the spaces that they create, so choosing a material that combines these elements with sustainable installation is a crucial consideration for many.
By reducing the level of water waste, in addition to the amount of adhesive and grout residue and single-use plastic waste generated on site, developers are uncovering the benefits of using bathroom wall panels that don’t require traditional grout or adhesive mixing. Not only do these panels provide a sleek, stylish finish, they emit far less carbon both in their production and installation, but also greatly improve the overall finish of the space, preserving the ‘day one look’ throughout their entire lifespan. In addition, bathroom wall panels are typically around 75% lighter than traditional tiles. As a result, the carbon footprint generated by their transportation is significantly lower.
By giving these considerations to the types of bathroom wall surfaces that they use in residential new build properties, developers can significantly lower the environmental impact of their projects.
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