Kitchen Countertops and Backsplashes

HIGHLIGHTS:
Material definition: Aggregate of glass or stone chips (sometimes recycled) and binders. This handmade mosaic surface has been used for flooring for nearly 2,000 years but designers are now using it for kitchen and bathroom countertops and backsplashes for a fresh new take on an old material.

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:

1. easy to clean
2. some types of stone are highly durable (i.e.

HIGHLIGHTS:
Material definition: Highly durable material made from recycled plastics that would otherwise go to the landfill

Tips for Selection: High content of recycled plastic is preferable.

Advantages:

1. easy to clean
2. durable (particularly impact and heat resistant)
3. recycled content

Disadvantages:

1. may scratch, but can be sanded out in most cases
2. not recyclable
3. may flex over time


Average Material Cost: *

HIGHLIGHTS:

Material definition: Made from paper and a resin binder.

Tips for Selection: High content of recycled paper is preferable.

HIGHLIGHTS:
Material definition: Highly durable, easy to clean material with high recycled content.

Tips for Selection: Use salvaged metal or high recycled content if possible.

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.

HIGHLIGHTS:
Material definition: Simple mixture of cement, aggregate (often sand) and water. Tips for Selection: Since large amounts of energy are required for transport, look for a local fabricator. Use fly ash as a substitute for cement (at least 30%).
Advantages:

1. highly durable
2. easy to clean
3. no offgasing
4. recyclable as slab or crushed aggregate