Sustainable surfaces: A look at countertops
by Morgan Zenner, NARI marketing & communications coordinator
Any homeowner knows choosing surfaces is a big job. Many homeowners are considering sustainable surfaces, which raises even more questions: What does sustainability mean and what is most important for my household? In this context, sustainability, also referred to as green, is a term used to describe materials that have been developed in a way that is not harmful to the earth, either because they are recycled, reused, renewable or energy efficient.
According to Building Design & Construction magazine’s White Paper Survey, “55 percent said they had trouble sourcing green products and out of those, 81 percent said ‘green’ was not always clearly defined.” Why all the confusion?
At one time, green products were considered to be anything manufactured with at least 30 percent recycled material, but now, there are several other factors that determine sustainability. Every material has energy output; the question is how much and what type. These days, green products are ranked by their Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), which considers manufacturing practices, installation, use and eventual disposal.
Sustainable surfaces require additional attention to other details like functionality, water resistance, heat resistance, food safety, durability and style. Here is a look at sustainable surface options and considerations to help you make the best choice for your home.
Countertops all around!
When looking for sustainable wood countertops, try to avoid particleboard and medium-density fiberboard (MDF), which contain formaldehyde, a chemical known to cause cancer. Make sure the wood products are coming from sustainable resources by checking if it is certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC). This certification ensures that the wood originated from a fast-growth tree, meaning the forest is sustainable. The other option is to buy from a company that specializes in reclaimed wood products.
Marble, slate, granite and stone are natural products. “Natural materials are typically better than synthetics (such as plastic laminate, Corian, etc.,) because they don’t off-gas,” says Dawn Zuber, owner of Studio Z Architecture, based in Michigan.
Off-gassing means to release dangerous gases such as VOCs into the air. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), VOCs are emitted as gases from certain solids or liquids and include a variety of chemicals that can have adverse health effects.
Unfortunately, sometimes buying green is a quandary that requires you to weigh many pros of the materials’ chemical makeups and their abilities to be replenished with the cons of production and geographic proximity, says Susan Davis, CKBR, GCP, co-owner and design principal for Spectrum Fine Homes, a design/build company in California.
You may decide not to use natural items because they are removed from the earth with a destructive, quarrying process, which includes blasting, cutting or digging holes in the ground. A negative part of using natural stone, slate and marble is the long distances between where they are dug up, and where they are shipped to. This is called embodied energy, which can be a problem if a product is transported long distances. For example, as manufacturers transport marble or stone from as far away as Italy or Brazil, or slate from India, airplanes release large amounts of carbon dioxide into the air.
Ceramic or porcelain tiles contain little to no VOCs but share the same issues, Davis notes. These tiles can easily be made from recycled materials, and they are low in cost. Watch for lead-based or radioactive glazes on imported tiles that can be harmful. Similar to stone, the tiles originate from clay mining, which impacts land and water quality and requires high amounts of energy to produce.
Most commonly known as a material in foundations or sidewalks, concrete has made its debut as a sustainable surface. It is highly durable, does not off-gas and can be recycled easily. Homeowners who are interested in concrete should look for a local supplier as transportation energy costs can be hefty, and concrete is usually locally produced.
Manufactures have found a way to make laminate surfaces sustainable by using recycled plastic. This material is relatively cheap compared to other surfaces, but its lifecycle is shorter as it is less durable. Also, be sure to buy formaldehyde-free laminates as some may off-gas as well.
Stainless steel is a sleek and modern surface choice. It is easily recyclable and durable, but this industrial material is prone to scratching. For additional health benefit, ask your remodeler to mechanically fasten it on to your cabinets instead of using toxic glues.
Terrazzo surfaces are a combination of glass or stone chips and binders. The glass or stone can be recycled materials, but it’s the binders that may have harmful VOCs. This surface has a reputation for being more expensive than others. If interested in this option, try a cement binder that usually doesn’t contain VOCs.
Quick Tips
Buy local materials when you can. Surfaces and floors can be especially dense, requiring heavy transportation energy costs.
Buy recycled materials. Many surfaces and floors are made from reusable materials such as plastic, glass or steel. With a little research, you can find companies that sell surfaces made from recycled materials.
Recycling goes two ways. If you decide to upgrade the surfaces in your home, see if you can donate them or recycle them in some way.
Identify rapidly renewable materials. These types of materials regenerate themselves naturally at a rate fast enough to keep up with consumption.
VOCs inside homes are typically two to five times higher than outside. Follow the EPA standards for a low-VOC product, which may not exceed 300 grams of VOCs per liter.