Making a splash in the bath — while using less water — is increasingly the goal of “green-minded” homeowners embarking on a bathroom remodel. And with good reason: According to WaterSense, a voluntary public-private partnership program sponsored by the Environmental Protection Agency, each American uses an average of 100 gallons of water per day at home. By installing water-efficient fixtures and appliances, usage can be dropped by about 30% — which shaves an average of $170 per year off... more

With energy bills on the rise, water conservation is a major concern for homeowners. Did you know, toilets make up about half of a home’s water consumption? Americans flush nearly five billion gallons of water down their toilets each day. To help conserve water, years ago the federal government required builders to install toilets that used no more than 1.6 gallons of water per flush. Although these new toilets met the government’s requirement, they often performed poorly. When low-flush toilets... more

Whether you are remodeling a kitchen or bath or upgrading an existing home, there are many options and decisions to consider. What are the latest trends, and will granite countertops still be in vogue 10 years from now? However, I am pretty sure rough-in plumbing won’t make the top of anyone’s design to-do list. Choices in plumbing products used to be left up to the professional plumber, until now. With the increasing popularity of the PEX tubing, plumbing has changed and is turning green due... more

Several companies manufacture rubber roofs from recycled tires. These products are durable (many come with 50-year warranties), as well as fire and wind resistant. Metal Roofing With a long life, metal roofs keep composite material out of our landfills. Also 100% of the material used is recyclable. Solar-Powered Attic Fan Make your home more energy effcient and save money too. Attic fans operate by solar power from sunrise to sunset at no extra cost. It’s possible to reduce the workload on... more

Indoor plumbing became commonplace in new homes during the last quarter of the nineteenth century. By 1900, most all-new construction of middle class housing contained indoor bathrooms. The American bungalow — popular in the 1900-1930 period — developed along with the modern American bathroom. Bungalows, considered the most modern homes of the time, had bathrooms that reflected the latest trends and highest standards of efficiency that indoor plumbing could provide. Early bungalow bathrooms were... more

There is something reassuring about being helped in a plumbing and electric store by a friendly salesperson who actually has knowledge and experience with the project you are about to tackle. This is the way it used to be in all building supply stores, and remains that way today at A-Boy Plumbing and Electric. The family-owned business is, at its roots, a neighborhood plumbing, electric, and hardware store.... more

This family-owned company has grown from a small retailer of plumbing and electrical products to a seven-store hardware and home center chain serving the Portland/Vancouver metropolitan area. John Dolan founded A-Boy Supply in 1960. He first sold plumbing fixtures, electrical supplies, and appliances from a former grocery store in Southeast Portland. Lighting products and supplies were added later. Steam bath display located at the Vaughn Street store. Ask for a demonstration. A-Boy... more

Creating a spa experience in the home is the latest bathroom trend. Hard-hitting jets are being replaced with the gentle kiss of air bubbles. Claw foot tubs or soakers are displacing shallow tubs as deep as space allows. Even bathing products that scream wake up! have lost ground against today’s soothing fragrances. American Standard’s Champion Saniflo Macerating Toilet Kohler’s... more