By Sadie K. Carney
Countertops
Today’s kitchens are more than places to prepare food; they are family spaces, places of gathering, socializing, creating, and sharing. Open floor plans, work and cooking islands, and the elevation of cooking and nourishing our families from a chore to an exercise in education, living sustainable values, and creativity have changed the function of a kitchen in the home forever.
Just as our tastes in food have shifted to include more locally grown foods and increasingly organic and chemical-free options, our tastes in building and remodeling are changing. Energy efficient appliances, safe cleaners, sustainable building, and responsible renovation options increasingly top the list for people planning to remodel. The more we learn about our carbon footprints, the more we strive for a footprint that is small and green.
Countertops made from natural materials might not always be your most sustainable choice. Granite, for instance, is a durable natural material that will maintain its look for years; however, the mining process that removes it from the earth and the embodied energy that it represents give granite countertops a hefty carbon footprint.
A Sustainable Solution
Ceramic Tile Countertop: Ceramic tile is one of the most competitively priced, sustainable countertop options available. Vast color choice, ease of install, heat resistance, and spot repair are all benefits of choosing tile. However, tile does not provide an even work surface, and it can be difficult to keep the grouting clean. In most cases, people will not have difficulty sourcing locally or regionally produced tile. This type of product research can support local economies, jobs, and industries.
Butcher Block Countertop: Solid wood countertops can be made from a number of species. Not all wood is created equal, however. The Janka scale is a scale measuring hardness for wood: White Pine is a 420; Brazilian Walnut and Ipe (Ironwood) are over 3500. Butcher block countertops can be finished with a natural, non-toxic oil or hard wax finishes and can also be resurfaced and finished to create an unmarred, perfect surface again, even years later. End grain butcher block will generally show less wear than a vertical grain and is also less prone to scratching. You might want to consider planning a tile inlay where you are likely to set down pots from the stove or oven. If you want to create a warm, beautiful, cozy space, nothing can compare with the natural beauty of wood grain.
Paper-Based Composite Countertop: Paperstone and Richlite are composite countertops made of paper that has been impregnated with resin and compressed into a uniform, solid surface. Both are sustainable options, though Paperstone boasts a post-consumer recycled content, whereas Richlite uses custom paper originating in sustainably managed forests. Both come in a variety of colors, with neutrals like black and brown the most popular customer option. These countertops offer a softer, warmer look than stone or plastic countertops can achieve. Paper-based composite surfaces are harder than wood but do not need to be worked with masonry tools. Fabricated and finished by professionals, they can be customized with routed drain boards, custom cutouts, even your initials! Over time, these countertops will develop a patina from wear and care and, as with many natural surfaces, can be affected slightly by sunlight. The surface can be completely restored to a “new” looking finish by reburnishing the surface with sandpaper and sealing.
Concrete Countertop: Concrete is a mix of water, Portland cement (named after a British Isle, not after Portland, OR!) and aggregate. Aggregate can be sand, river pebbles, or waste products, depending on preference. While heavy, concrete is easy to customize; it can be pre-cast to fit a mold or cast on site. The finished surface of a concrete countertop must be sealed properly to resist stains and water damage. However, some concrete countertop fans claim that there is beauty in the way an unsealed surface ages over time.
Fuez Countertop: Fuez countertop is an environmentally friendly countertop produced on Sauvie Island, just west of Portland, OR, on the Columbia River. Fuez uses up to 80% recycled materials, including coal fly ash, cement, and curb-side recycled glass. You can choose from 28 standard options to customize the look of your countertop. Fuez offers flexible slab and aggregate sizes, as well as many custom shapes, colors, and sizes. The glass in your countertop could have come from your own recycling bin!
Recycled Aluminum Countertop: Eleek, also based in Portland, OR, produces recycled aluminum countertops. Aluminum countertops don’t fingerprint like stainless steel, are lighter than stone and heat resistant (up to 300F), and, thanks to the highly conductive nature of aluminum, are always pleasantly at room temperature. Eleek’s countertops are custom designed specifically for your kitchen, so no fabrication or cutting needs be done on site, and each piece arrives precut, with finished edges. Aluminum pieces come up to 3’ wide, and sections are grouted with a clear silicone. Backsplash, front wrap, and side wrap features can be built in. For those seeking a modern, sleek, and durable finish, recycled aluminum that is local is a perfect sustainable answer.
Squak Mountain Stone Countertop: If you are designing a sleek, artistic kitchen and have a penchant for handmade, custom materials that embrace cutting-edge recycling, Squak Mountain Stone countertops could be a great solution. Squak Mountain Stone is a recycled countertop option that incorporates recycled paper, recycled glass, coal fly ash, and Portland cement. The material is hand cast into slabs and workable with masonry tools. Squak is lighter than concrete and resembles soapstone or limestone in appearance.
Trinity, a new line being introduced by Squak, also handmade and hand finished, is 25% low carbon cement and has a higher recycled glass content than original Squak: 75% (evident in the surface sparkle!). Trinity is just as easy to maintain as Squak, available in eight colors, and should hit the market in February 2008.
Resources
Butcher Block: www.endurawood.com
Richlite: www.richlite.com
Fuez: www.fuez.com
Recycled Aluminum: www.eleek.com
Squak Mountain Stone: www.tmi-online.com
Sadie K. Carney works as a marketing coordinator for Environmental Building Supplies. For more information on Ecohaus Supplies visit www.ecohaus.com or call 503-222-3881. |
