Colorado Signature Homes

Environmentally Conscious Counter Tops

If you’re like most people, the environment means a lot to you and you’ll make a statement to that effect even when choosing something as seemingly mundane as a new counter top for your kitchen. U.S. Green Building Council have a wealth of resources on their website about sustainable building and living, and following is an overview of their take on what constitutes some best choices (even though they also point out there is currently “no countertop material that has zero impact” on the planet).

• Concrete is considered highly durable, and while it is not inherently known as a “green product,” it is able to be recycled and resourced which ultimately ekes away at its initial impact. If treated correctly, concrete counters can last a lifetime; again, reducing the need for environmentally costly replacement.
• Glass Tiles are far preferred to ceramic tiles because their content is 100 percent recycled material and the actual process to perform the recycling consumes much less energy that the alternative of making new tiles from virgin material. Glass tiles will not offgas VOCs if water-based grout is utilized during the installation, and they are easier to reuse and recycle than their ceramic counterparts.
• Wood (untreated hardwood that has been certified by the Forest Stewardship Council) is considered the “best choice” when based strictly on environmental friendliness and impact. Untreated wood is truthfully a renewable resource and requires much less industrial processing than other countertop materials. As a caveat: wood is not an ideal choice for use immediately around the sink or other wet areas and a transition zone with another product (such as glass tile) is recommended in these areas.

There are more materials out there like recycled plastic and paper composite that you may want to consider, as well; but the three we have listed seem to be the most available; and since part of being green is to not waste energy looking for resources, we hope one of these three will entice you to its use.