Eco-Countertops
All common counter top materials have their pros and cons, especially when it comes to how they perform as eco friendly counter tops. There are a great many factors that go into deciding which material is best for you, some related to function and some related to style. Opting for materials that could be considered green countertops is something that you should consider whenever possible though, for the sake of everyone! Green does not just mean the source material though, but also the way the material is harvested and then finished and these are all considerations to keep in mind.
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Countertop Material |
Pros |
Cons |
Green Level |
|
Wood, Bamboo |
The look of wood and bamboo is rich and warm. Wood is a renewable, and recyclable, resource. Wood countertops can be refinished easily. If you choose bamboo it has natural antibacterial qualities. Can be a fairly inexpensive choice. |
Wood is quite easily damaged by water and moisture. Wood is certainly not very heat resistant. Scratches, stains and other blemishes are very noticeable on a wood countertop. |
As long as the wood countertop you choose has an FSC certifcation, or is reclaimed or recycled, wood is a very eco friendly countertops choice. |
|
Ceramic Tile |
Offers an almost endless range of patterns and colors. Is heat resistant and very durable. Resists staining very well Can be a very economical choice |
Tile countertops may become discolored over time. The grout that holds the tile together can get dirty very easily and become a magnet for bacteria. |
Tile is a pretty green choice. You can go even greener though by choosing locally made tiles that have recycled content. |
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Concrete |
Huge design flexibility. Very durable.
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A very expensive choice in most cases. Concrete will chip fairly easily. |
Concrete that uses recycled elements in its creation produces a very green countertop so seek out a manufacturer who uses recycled concrete if possible. |
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Engineered Stone |
Great looking with lots of styles and colors. Very durable, resists stains well without the need for refinishing. |
Can be rather expensive in comparison to other countertop options. Does look slightly unnatural The resin binder used is a not so eco friendly plastic. |
Engineered stone actually isn't a very eco friendly choice at all. |
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Glass countertops can be very unique and very beautiful. Many glass countertops have a high recycled material content. Glass countertops are very durable and resist heat damage and staining very well. |
Can be quite expensive. Certain glass surfaces show fingerprints easily. |
If it is recycled glass this is a very eco friendly countertops choice. |
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Laminates |
Laminates are inexpensive compared to other choices. Laminates are available in a great many different colors. Laminates resist stains and heat damage very well. Are very easy to clean. |
Laminate countertops do chip quite easily. Laminate counters cannot be resurfaced |
As the paper content is high, laminates can be a green choice. look for FSC certified products to be especially eco friendly. |
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Metals (Stainless Steel, Copper etc) |
Very hygienic. Very durable. Completely heat resistant. Very long lasting. |
Can look very cold. Shows fingerprints very easily. Can be noisy during food prep |
Unless you can find recycled metals for countertop use metal is not a very green choice. |
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Very durable. Many different colors available, all slightly unique. All natural Resists stains and heat damage. |
One of the most expensive countertop choices.
Quarrying the rock can be environmentally unfriendly. |
Is a green choice for the most part, especially if you buy stone that was quarried within 500 miles of your home |