Your Green Guide to Eco-Friendly Kitchen Countertops. Search, Compare, and Save Today.
Quick Guide to Countertops
Concrete – can be cast in a variety of colors, textures and finishes. Usually poured and installed on site.
- Pros – customizable by size, color, depth, design – can even have sink created in a single slab; incredibly durable; can be cantilevered; stain resistant; highly resistant to scratches; heat resistant;
- Cons – requires periodic sealing; highly acidic liquids could damage the surface if not cleaned up immediately
- Care – avoid abrasive cleaners or pads which could compromise the protective stain resistant sealant. Opt for mild, gentle cleaners like Simple Green for daily cleaning.
- Price – on average $85/square foot.
- Pros – made from recycled glass; eco-friendly; available in a variety of colors
- Care – sharp objects may scratch the surface and chips may occur if heavy objects are dropped on the surface
- Price – on average $100/square foot
- Pros – adds warmth; practical material; easy to install and repair; scratches can be sanded out; great for cutting or chopping
- Cons- vulnerable to moisture and heat; requires a food-friendly sealing that must be reapplied periodically; needs to be cleaned thoroughly and promptly after food preparation and spills;
- Care – a coat of mineral oil should be applied once a month to protect it from drying out or cracking; knives and sharp objects will cause scratches but they can easily be sanded out; clean spills with a damp dish towel and very mild detergents; excessive moisture can damage the wood, so dry up spills. It can be used for cutting but the cuts will show through the wood – only do this if the wood has been coated with oil, not a sealant.
- Price – on average $30/square foot
- Pros – eco-friendly material made of recycled paper; matte finish with several color choices; works with standard woodworking tools;
- Care – recommended to use specially formulated cleaners like the Paperstone Cleaner & Rejuvenator to keeps counters clean;
- Price – on average $31/square foot
- Pros – hygienic surface; stain, rust, chip and fade proof; heat proof; great for pro-chefs; impervious to stains; won’t oxidize/patina (won’t rust); does not require a finish
- Cons – shows nicks and scratches; (not to mention finger prints)
- Care – sharp objects may scratch the surface; use a stainless steel cleaner and polish to clean;
- Price – $60-$90/square foot; thicker gauge metal (14-18 is most common) can add 15-50% to the cost.
- Pros – large range of color and pattern;
- Cons – joints will show; hi-gloss finishes can be streaky when cleaning;
- Care – some stones like marble are porous, so can stain easily;
- Price – $$$$; larger slabs are more expensive.
- Pros – indestructible material; naturally resists scratches; does not need to be refinished; consistent color; non-porous; strong;
- Care – zero maintenance; it’s nonporous so it doesn’t require sealing
- Price – $100-$175/square foot.
Icestone
Wood/Butcher Block – Butcherblock countertops are usually made from narrow strips of wood from hardwoods like maple, beech and oak that are glued together to create a thick solid surface.
Paperstone
Stainless Steel – Stainless Steel countertops are usually custom fabricated, but you can find ready-made ‘slabs’ through restaurant supply stores.
Natural Stone – includes granite, marble, limestone, slate and soapstone.
Quartz – usually an aggregate is used made of crushed quartz fortified with resin binders and pigments. Makes a great alternative to natural stone.