HIGHLIGHTS:
Material definition: Economical and good-looking, laminates consist of layers of decorative paper sandwiched together and laminated with a patterned paper on top, all bonded to a particle-board countertop surface. From elegant faux-marble and granite looks to fun and funky, '50s boomerang designs, laminates respond to every fashion look.
Green laminates are made from recycled plastic, nontoxic glues, and formaldehyde-free substrate.
Tips for Selection: Look for laminate made from recycled plastic that has been glued to formaldehyde-free substrate with nontoxic glues. Fasten to cabinet boxes with mechanical fasteners.
Advantages:
- stain resistant
- easy to clean
Disadvantages:
- low durability
- particleboard substrate may offgas formaldehyde
- not recyclable
Average Material Cost: $25 to $50 per square foot
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 Laminate Countertops: Laminate counters bear trademarks such as Formica, Nevamar, and Wilsonart. They’re made of plastic-coated synthetics with a smooth surface that’s easy to clean. The pieces are cut to size and finished on the ends.
Laminates have good stain, abrasion, and moisture resistance, but since the color doesn't go all the way through, nicks and cuts will eventually show and can't be repaired. (An all-over pattern on the dark side minimizes visible marks, and color-through laminates show less evidence of wear.) You'll also need to protect laminate counters from hot pots, which can cause irreparable scorches and even melting. Specify a rolled edge or another color of laminate trim on the counter's edge to eliminate the black edging line between the two planes.
Laminate, the most popular choice for kitchen countertops, is available in hundreds of easy-to-clean waterproof colors and patterns.
GREEN Considerations: The green aspect of laminate over other choices like stone is that it is often fabricated locally so you, the consumer, are not creating an energy burden on heavy transportation and mining a non-renewable resource such as stone.
Resins used may include urea formaldehyde, look for laminates that advertise that they do NOT. For example VT Industries has introduced a new environmental quality countertop that uses water-based adhesives, Greenguard indoor air quality certified laminates and no added urea-formaldehyde particleboard core.
Also look for the use of recycled plastic.
