HIGHLIGHTS:
Material definition: Natural resource and durable material, though not renewable. Granite and slate are domestically quarried.
Tips for Selection: Because large amounts of energy are required for transport, look for locally mined and fabricated stone (within 500 miles). Salvaged stone is available.
Advantages:
- easy to clean
- some types of stone are highly durable (i.e. granite)
- softer stones closer to earth surface, such as soapstone, have less embodied energy
- does not offgas
- recyclable as slabs
Disadvantages:
- stone is a finite resource
- mining impacts land and water quality
- because of its heavy weight, high embodied energy for transport
- extra weight might require extra cabinet support
- granite requires sealant to avoid stains
Average Material Cost: $6 to $65+ per square foot depending on thickness, shape and stone type
OVERVIEW on Kitchen Countertops: The kitchen is one of the most important rooms in your home, and the right choice for kitchen counter tops is key to the successful execution and ongoing use of the space. Now more than ever, you can choose from a diverse range of kitchen counter materials. For each aspect of home design and remodeling you can also strive to make choices that are 1) Functional, 2) Stylish, 3) Cost-Effective, and 4) Environmentally Sustainable. These are the four key guiding principles in the GREENandSAVE strategy. You will find that in certain cases, one or two of the criteria take precedent over others. However, as you review the home improvement options that are right for your home, you may be surprised to learn that reaching all four is more achievable than you thought.
Selection Tip: In choosing a kitchen countertop material make sure to think through its integration with your kitchen cabinets, appliances, and the backsplash that will work best for your design and installation. Solid surface and natural stone materials typically need to be precut prior to installation versus tiles that can be cut and set right on the job site. Kitchen countertop backsplashes sometimes look great when they match the countertop material, but you can alternatively enhance the countertop material by choosing a different tile to run from the top edge of the counter all of the way up to the underside of the head cabinet. If you decide on the tiles, also take care in choosing the right color grout and look for new tile grouts that are stain resistant.
DETAILS on Kitchen Natural Stone Countertops: Natural stone, such as marble, granite, and slate, is the most expensive and luxurious. Its age-old appeal suits traditional rooms or high-end contemporary settings. A rose-colored marble top, for instance, would lend a note of sophistication to a traditional cherry bar. Sultry, gray granite would complement impeccably designed maple cabinetry in a modern kitchen. Contrasting colors -- dark wood with light stone -- bring attention to each.
Granite - Granite is the countertop material of choice when there are no other things to think about - like money. It defines elegance in a kitchen. The beauty of the stone contributes to the beauty of even the most modest kitchen.
Engineered Stone - Engineered stone is composed of quartz particles. It is available in a larger range of colors than granite and has a nonporous surface that resists scratches. It’s easy to maintain, without the annual sealing required by natural stone. Brands on the market are DuPont Zodiaq®, Cambria Quartz, and Silestone.
Soapstone - Soapstone is generally dark gray in color and has a smooth feel. It is often seen in historic homes but is also used in modern homes as both a countertop and sink material.
Marble - Because of it’s extremely high price tag, marble is not often seen on the countertops of whole kitchens. To get the luxurious look, use it on an island or inset at a baking center. Marble requires constant maintenance, as it easily stains. Some new sealers retard staining. Marble is a nonfoliated metamorphic rock resulting from the metamorphism of limestone, composed mostly of calcite. It is extensively used for sculptures and now it’s used quite often in the kitchen and can add both a beautiful and classy look to any kitchen.
GREEN Considerations: Granite/Marble - Very low. Not renewable. Once it is removed from the earth is cannot be easily reused. Be sure to use low-VOC sealant, look for a source that is near you to cut down on transportation, and seek out remnant slabs.
Engineered Stone/Manufactured Quartz - Usage of color pigments and resin don’t make this product super eco-friendly. Mining of the quartz clearly has an impact on the environment.
Soapstone -Barely more friendly than Granite, as soapstone is mined from the surface, but some areas where soapstone is mined is not only impacting the environment, it is impacting animals - such as tiger habitats in India. Soapstone is a material that is definitely harder to come by in the world, and diverse places are being impacted by searches for soapstone - please use fair trade merchants.
A good alternative for any countertop or backsplash might be Tiger Mountain Innovation’s Squak Mountain Stone a fibrous-cement material comprised of recycled paper, recycled glass, coal fly-ash and cement. The material is hand-cast into “slabs” as an alternative to natural or quarried limestone or soapstone. The rustic-looking countertops come in five earthy colors, and each slab contains veins of color that mimic mineral deposits in natural stone.
The surface is comprised of 2.5 percent post-consumer recycled content and 49 percent post-industrial content. The company estimates it has recycled more than 2,000 pounds of paper and more than 50,000 pounds of granite dust, fly-ash and glass—materials that would have ended up in a landfill.
Slabs are sealed with a water-based sealer that provides stain resistance to grease, oil, food and other common household chemicals for approximately 24 hours. The sealer provides limited resistance to acid-etching from products, such as vinegar and citrus juices. To maintain the surface, the manufacturer recommends a food-grade countertop wax.
