Eco-friendly Countertops For Your New Kitchen

People often have trouble with this when choosing a kitchen worktop because they don’t know which options are best. Natural materials are important when picking a worktop because they will come into constant contact with your food. Any toxic plastics or coatings can pose a long-term health risk. The good news is, there are some great environmentally friendly options out there. When designing your home and choosing materials it’s important to consider their impact on the environment. If you use materials that are heavily plastic-based, they won’t degrade. You also need to think about how materials are produced and treated. 

Recycled Glass

A recycled glass countertop is a great sustainable option. They’re beautiful and have many different benefits. Recycled glass countertops are non-porous which means they are easy to clean and don’t easily stain like porous stone surfaces. They have a distinctive look that can fit well in a modern home. Some recycled glass countertops contain 80% glass which makes them a great eco-friendly option. Just be careful putting too much weight on a corner, it might crack. For most folks, that won’t be a problem but it’s certainly something to consider when choosing the right material.

Bamboo & Reclaimed Wood

Reclaimed wood is a great choice for an eco-friendly worktop. If you want a unique look that is full of character, consider this option.  It looks amazing in a rustic kitchen or even bringing contrast to a modern space. There are also a lot of different options in terms of the type of wood and the finish you use, so you can always find something that fits the style of your kitchen.  When sourcing reclaimed wood, ask the vendor if they know where the wood came from. It will serve as a great conversation piece when you have guests over.

Did you know that bamboo is not wood? Bamboo is technically a grass and it’s a great option if you want something that looks and feel like wood. It’s a sustainable resource and one of the least expensive eco-friendly options out there. Bamboo also has bacteria-resistant properties which means your countertop won’t grow mold or mildew.

When it comes to wood countertops, don’t forget that these aren’t heat resistant. You’ll want to protect them from damage from heat sources.

Granite 

Granite is one of the most popular worktop materials there is because it looks so amazing. But did you know that granite countertops are also incredibly eco-friendly? The beautifully polished surface of granite works brilliantly in traditional and modern kitchens, and it’s a very durable material that lasts a long time. It’s more expensive than wood, but it’s also much stronger and you won’t have to worry about refinishing the surface when it gets scratched up. Because granite is so durable, you can sell your slab if you decide to do a renovation even years down the road.

Poured Concrete 

Poured concrete has been a very popular trend in kitchens over the last few years and it looks like it’s here to stay. People often use it for flooring, but it’s equally as good for creating an eco-friendly kitchen worktop. When installed correctly, they have a nice smooth finish and a simplistic appeal that works well in any kitchen. A lot of eco-friendly pigments and stains have been developed in recent years, making poured concrete a very adaptable material for worktops. So, if you don’t like the idea of a modern industrial look, you can have whatever color you like.

However, poured concrete can be a lot of work because it needs to be sealed when you first install it and then every few years after that. If you don’t keep on top of it, it will quickly get damaged.