If you are concerned about your health or that of the planet you’re living in, then you’ll try to be conscious every step of the way. Everything you choose and use can have an impact on our dear Earth. So, if you want to switch to non-toxic materials for countertops in the kitchen, then you’re at the right place. Here are some options that you can choose from. We’ll also answer if granite countertops, a popular option, is non-toxic.
Eco-Friendly And Non-Toxic Countertop Surfaces
Recycled Glass
Recycled and non-toxic are two things that come to mind when you think of recycled glass. Recycled glass is a material that is made out of – you guessed it- glass. But it is not just any glass. It is glass that has been used before. So, glass bottles or even scrap glass that is left to be discarded are made into this amazing material.
There is something so beautiful and chic about glass countertops. If you love the look of glass, then this is going to be an amazing choice for you. It looks really minimal, the colors are endless, and you will end up helping your planet out.
Bamboo
If you don’t want to go for the usual wood countertops, because, you know, they’re obtained from cutting down trees and that is the last thing that people should be doing, then you can go for bamboo countertops. Bamboo is one of the fastest-growing woods of all time and these countertops also look really similar to the real deal.
So, if you love wood and want to add a bit of warmth to your kitchen, then you can definitely go for this material. It is very sustainable and your heart won’t hurt because bamboo literally does nothing damaging to the Earth.
Porcelain
Porcelain is not just a beautiful and light-colored stone, but it is also resistant to heat, UV rays, and a number of other things that most countertops just can’t top. So, if you want to go for a sustainable, eco-friendly, and very inert material, then porcelain is literally the best.
You won’t regret getting porcelain and it is such a versatile option to go for, especially if you want to get it installed elsewhere in the house. There is nothing that can go wrong with this material.
Quartz
Even though quartz is a man-made material, it is one of the most stable materials out there. You literally don’t have to worry about anything toxic being emitted from this, because it won’t happen.
Yes, making quartz can be quite the work and it does produce a lot of waste that isn’t necessarily good for the planet, but in the end, quartz is a wonderful material that won’t disappoint you when it comes to quality as well as sustainability, so that’s definitely saying something. Quartz countertops Rockville also available in a lot of colors, so you can get just about any color that your heart desires.
Paper Composite
Paper composite is exactly what it sounds like. It is made out of paper and it is such a wonderful option to go for if you want something that will last and is good for your planet. Paper composite countertops are made out of paper pulp and resin, which is then hardened to create a very sturdy material that can then be used as a countertop material. It is as eco-friendly as it gets.
Think of it as a revolution in the world of kitchen countertops. Of course, it’s not indestructible, but it is still an amazing option nonetheless.
Butcher Block
Butcher block is made out of wood, but don’t worry, because it uses thin pieces of wood that are glued together to form a thick slab of sorts. It is a great option to go for if you want to go for something natural, but still don’t want to jeopardize the trees that make breathing easier.
Butcher block is exactly like hardwood countertops, but way less expensive and just like the real deal. So, it’s a great non-toxic option.
Natural Stones
If you want to go for a non-toxic countertop material, then you can choose from an array of natural stones. Natural stones are found in the ground or in mountain ranges and they are removed from their sources through a process known as quarrying.
Natural stones are naturally obtained and aside from the process of obtaining them, there is no way that these rocks and stones are toxic or emit any sort of toxins that can be harmful to our health. Here are some of the options that you can go for.
Granite
First of all, granite is a very stable natural stone and it is inert by nature. The point is, when you examine granite, it doesn’t react with any agent present in the air and that is why it doesn’t lead to any toxin production.
Granite is also quite durable and you need to seal it in order to make it waterproof and that is pretty much it. It is a bit on the expensive side, but it is well worth the splurge if you’re looking for something that will last. You can also choose tile, granite, or quartz backsplash with the countertops.
Marble
Another great toxin-free option when it comes to natural stones is marble. Marble is a very beautiful and durable stone, and it is also non-toxic. You can install marble anywhere in the home.
Whether it be the kitchen or the bathroom, or anywhere else in the house, marble is going to be an amazing addition to your home. It is also light in color and extremely attractive, so if those are the things that tick your boxes, then you are good to go with this choice.
Soapstone
Soapstone is a very slippery and beautiful stone. Like marble, it is also light in color, but it surpasses marble when it comes to its non-toxic nature. Thanks to the non-toxic and chemical-free sealants, it is not nearly as toxic as other natural stones.
Usually, with granite or marble, the sealants used on these materials can be pretty toxic and that is not good at all. This is why soapstone is preferred if you’re opting for something from the natural stone department. It is going to be an amazing choice and you will love the results.
Onyx
Another option for natural stone is onyx. Even though the name suggests otherwise, onyx is available in a lot of color options. You can get white onyx as well as dark onyx color options. Onyx is not as durable as other natural stones. It is actually quite soft, making it prone to scratches and chips. But it is a very beautiful stone nonetheless and what sets it apart is the look of this very iridescent stone.
It is almost translucent to look at and it is something that will take your breath away. Bonus points for it being extremely sustainable too, so you know that it can be a winner in your kitchen.
Conclusion
Non-toxic countertop materials are really amazing and they not only help to maximize productivity in the kitchen but they also don’t contribute to any of the bad and harmful stuff that could be dangerous to your health or the Earth. Natural stones are great but if you’re leaning towards an engineered stone, then quartz is a good option. Get in touch with quartz countertop contractor Potomac to know more.



