You can never guess the amount of toxins in everyday things that you use in your daily routine. Kitchen countertops are no exception either. For countertop replacement, there are many natural and healthy materials to choose from so that you don’t compromise on your health. If you want to further look into non-toxic countertops, then this guide is it.
Wooden Countertops
The first choice that comes with sustainability and is non-toxic, is wood. Wooden countertops are a hit or miss among the masses. Some people love the look of rustic countertops and other people don’t like them. Yes, wood is a hard material to maintain, and it needs to be made waterproof to function properly in the kitchen without getting damaged.
Laminate Countertops
If you’re looking for a budget-friendly option because sustainable and non-toxic materials can be insanely expensive, then laminate is a great countertop choice. It is more like a thin wooden board that’s secured on top of a platform. This makes installation super easy and these countertops will also last you a long time. They don’t emit any toxic gas and aren’t wasteful at all, so you don’t need to worry about these things.
A lot of the time, however, the adhesives used in gluing the boards on the platform can be toxic, but they can easily be swapped for non-toxic, natural ones. Check with the contractor to make sure that the laminate countertop you’re buying is non-toxic. If you’re not sure, avoid laminate countertops and choose any other option like concrete countertops.
Recycled Paper Countertops
Another very healthy and non-toxic countertop material option is recycled paper countertop. This countertop is exactly what it sounds like. It is made up of paper and non-toxic resin, and before you change your mind about this countertop because it’s made of paper, then you have no idea how amazing this material is. Recycled paper is an extremely durable and hard material, thanks to the very strong resin that’s used.
Speaking of the resin, it’s also non-petroleum and it doesn’t contain any sort of toxic waste, harmful gasses, or materials. recycled paper countertop is also quite healthy for daily use in the kitchen because it doesn’t house any sort of bacteria on its surface.
Natural Stone Countertops
Almost all natural stones are non-toxic. This can’t be said for man-made countertops like quartz, because the manufacturing of these countertops can lead to a lot of production of toxic waste and that can be damaging to the atmosphere.
Natural stones, however, are quarried from the ground and they’re readily available almost everywhere. They only need to be sized down to meet the dimension requirements of different kitchens. Stones like granite, soapstone, marble, etc. are just some of the many options you can choose from if you want your kitchen countertops to be sustainable and healthy. Granite countertops Durham NC are the most popular of them.
However, it’s believed that granite emit radon and some think that it’s below the risk level. But perform your research first before choosing this stone.
Recycled Glass Countertops
Recycled glass is also another eco-friendly and healthy option to consider. This countertop is made out of crushed and recyclable glass, all molded in a countertop with either resin or concrete. This countertop has a beautiful look to it and it almost looks like an abstract mosaic art.
The shards of glass peek through perfectly on the clear resin and the shiny yet non-porous surface doesn’t allow any housing for bacteria, viruses, and other harmful organisms. The only downside is that these countertops can be pretty expensive.
Quartzite Countertops
This is also another natural stone countertop, but a lot of people can get the name confused with quartz counters. Quartzite is a natural stone that’s found in a reasonable depth, under the Earth’s surface, while quartz is a man-made material, made out of pulverized rocks, mica, and resin.
Quartzite is actually pretty decent in durability and it is also scratch-resistant add to that, the fact that it’s non-toxic makes everything that much better. The material is also available in a variety of colors and patterns to choose from, so there is something for everyone.
Durat Countertops
Durat is a pretty new material addition in the realm of kitchen countertops and nowadays, it’s being used in almost everything. It is made up of hard plastics and is considered to be a solid surface material that’s made out of almost 30% recycled materials, mostly plastics and polyester. It is extremely durable, non-porous, and doesn’t get damaged due to water or moisture.
You can easily get this material for your kitchen countertops because it’s going to last you for a long time and it’s also pretty low on maintenance, so you’ve got yourself a great deal.
Porcelain Countertops
Porcelain is not only used in bathrooms anymore. You can even use them in the kitchen as healthy alternatives to man-made countertop materials. This option is also quite inexpensive, judging by the fact that it has a plethora of qualities.
For starters, porcelain is a very durable material and it can also endure high temperatures and impact loads. Porcelain is also resistant to scratches on the surface and it is non-porous, so it doesn’t need to be sealed to be made waterproof. Lastly, the colors and variety available in porcelain will leave you wanting every single option the material, itself, has to offer.
Bamboo Countertops
Bamboo is another non-toxic and healthy material to go for, that also has a low carbon footprint. It has an interesting pattern on the surface as well and it is the center of attention. One of the biggest advantages of bamboo countertops is that they are one of the most inexpensive options to go for.
Plus, these countertops are made out of wood and are also environmentally friendly and sustainable. The maintenance, however, is pretty much the same as other wooden countertops, so you need to brace yourself for that matter.
Concrete Countertops
If you want to go for a liaison between rustic and modern countertops, then look no further, because concrete is going to be a showstopper. Concrete countertops are not as popular as other options, but you will be happy to know that it’s non-toxic, have zero waste, and are extremely environmentally friendly.
Concrete is also quite a reasonable option to go for if you don’t want to spend a lot of money on getting healthy countertops. You will, however, need to seal them, because if you know anything about concrete, then you’d know that it can absorb water like a sponge, which is why sealing and filling the pores up becomes crucial.
Stainless Steel Countertops
If you want to capture the essence of an industrialized kitchen, then stainless steel countertops are the way to go. While they are extremely durable, sustainable, and have a low carbon footprint, they’re not the best option to go for, and the main reason is the price.
Stainless steel countertops are a huge splurge and a lot of the time, people just can’t seem to justify the price of stainless steel countertops, when they can easily go for other options.
Conclusion
In all honesty it’s important to be aware of the toxins a countertop material emits because the right choices can impact your health in the greatest of ways. Check out different healthy countertop materials by contacting a granite company Raleigh NC.
