When it comes to renovating your kitchen, new countertops can bring a fresh, polished look. But are you considering the most eco-friendly options for your project?
Our carbon footprint is becoming more and more important to consider. In fact, carbon dioxide emissions have risen by 1.4% this year alone, after remaining unchanged for the previous 3 years.
Luckily, there are sustainable kitchen countertops to suit any design goals. Read on for some of our ideas on the most reliable, eco-friendly options for your next renovation project.
Types of Stone Kitchen Countertops
One of the keys to sustainability is durability. By choosing building materials that last, you are not only preventing the demand for future materials, but also saving the space that old material would take up in a landfill.
Fewer countertop replacements will mean less waste. Here are some of our favorite materials to make up a stylish, eco-friendly, and sustainable countertop collection.
Granite Countertops
Granite countertops add natural visual appeal and offer extreme hardiness and durability. However, this material is prone to scratches and staining; therefore, special care and extra steps for maintenance must be taken, including regular resealing about once a year.
Travertine Countertops
Another of the popular types of stone countertops is travertine, which can add a beautiful and classic finish to your kitchen. Like all types of stone countertops, travertine offers extreme durability and are lower maintenance than granite countertops. Its surface resists heat and cuts, but proper sealing and maintenance are still recommended.
Quartz Countertops
The most indestructible of all types of stone countertops, quartz countertops are the prime choice if you want an attractive, polished look with virtually no special maintenance required.
Quartz countertops are also a winner in the sustainable production category: for example, Cambria Quartz is produced in the US, which means fewer fossil fuels were used to get the materials here.
Recycled Countertops
While the above types of stone countertops offer durability, the use of natural stone does deplete some of the Earth’s resources. Even if they are engineered stone countertops, these can still require mechanical processes that aren’t so eco-friendly.
To take your kitchen countertops to the next level of sustainability, try shopping for recycled countertops such as paper composite, recycled glass, or reclaimed wood.
Cork countertops can be another eco-friendly option for your kitchen. Not only is cork a highly renewable and sustainable natural resource, it also helps the communities that export it.
For instance, Portugal produces most of the world’s cork supply by continuously harvesting it from oak trees. The dependable revenue generated by the exporting of this material helps the communities support a better way of life.
Final Thoughts on Kitchen Countertops
Renovating your kitchen countertops can bring a beautiful, updated look to your kitchen. With all the types of kitchen countertops available today, it’s important to consider environmental impact when making your selection.
For more kitchen renovation project ideas, check out our post on 5 Kitchen Renovation Mistakes to Avoid.
Our experts are here to help you create the most out of your kitchen renovation. Get in touch with us today to make your design plans a reality.
