countertops
H = healthy
Is the material safe?
C = conscious
Is the material sustainable?
D = durable
Will the material last?
Materials we actively promote.
Materials we like to use.
Materials we use.
Materials we try to avoid.
Materials we advocate against.
built-up
Built-up countertops include a range of different finished materials over a substrate, often plywood or medium-density fiberboard (MDF). Options include plastic laminate, tile, and metal.
copper
H — Distinctive appearance, a living surface which will develop a rich patina over time if unsealed, naturally antibacterial, easy to clean.
C — Natural product, fully recyclable and can be produced from recycled material, does not product harmful waste during installation.
D — Highly heat resistant, soft, and easily shaped into various designs, thicknesses, and edge profiles, prone to scratching and denting, can react with acidic substances.
stainless steel
H — Naturally antimicrobial and easy to clean, inhospitable to mold, mildew, and fungi.
C — Fully recyclable at end of life, relatively little material required, typically made of 60%+ recycled stainless steel content, GHG concerns related to steel production.
D — Extremely durable, impervious to liquids, highly resistant to rust and staining, naturally antimicrobial, scratch resistant, lasts for decades.
ceramic tile (domestic / unsealed)
H — Grout susceptible to mold and mildew, must be regularly resealed and kept clean, tiles are chemically inert and resistant to mold, mildew, fungi, and bacteria.
C — Easy to find locally-sourced tiles, relatively high embodied energy due to firing.
D — Hard surface that is scratch, stain, and heat-resistant, individual tiles are very durable and can be replaced if chipped or broken.
bamboo
H — Requires regular sealing, which often off-gases VOCs and PFAs, many finished products bound with glues containing formaldehyde and isocyanates (asthmagen).
C — Rapidly-growing, renewable material that can be FSC-certified, difficult to recycle at end of life because composite product.
D — Not heat or water resistant and requires regular sealing, susceptible to scratching, chips, and stains, easy to sand and refinish.
laminate (NAF / water-based adhesive)
H — NAF (No Added Formaldehyde) still off-gasses small amounts of formaldehyde, sealants may still off-gas, water-based adhesives reduce worker exposure to toxic solvents.
C — Composite product which is not recyclable, short lifespan, usually 15-20 years maximum, fossil-fuel based adhesives and coatings.
D — Easily damaged and difficult to repair or resurface, so usually thrown out, susceptible to all major types of damage: heat, scratching, water, acid, staining.
ceramic tile (imported / sealed)
H — Tile imported from Europe and Asia often have glazes that contain lead or off-gas VOCs; grout sealants that contain PFAs off-gas long-lasting chemicals which bioaccumulate.
C — Same profile as regular tile, with added concern of toxic PFA manufacturing process.
D — Chipped tiles or improperly maintained grout can introduce toxic substances into home.
laminate (standard)
H — Adhesives and MDF/particle board backing off-gas formaldehyde for many years, workers and surrounding areas exposed to toxic solvents at manufacture.
C — Composite product which is not recyclable, short lifespan, usually 15-20 years maximum, fossil-fuel based adhesives and coatings.
D — Easily damaged and difficult to repair or resurface, so usually thrown out, susceptible to all major types of damage: heat, scratching, water, acid, staining.
solid material
Solid material countertops are materials not requiring a substrate for installation with a through-body consistency allowing for exposed edges, mitered joints and waterfall transitions. We have separated stone countertops into their own category, solid material options include solid surface products, wood, and concrete.
natural wood / live edge
H — Care must be taken to avoid VOC-emitting finishes, recycled products may have unknown exposure to contaminants.
C — Very ecologically friendly, especially if reclaimed, can be carbon-negative if used for long time, recyclable at the end of its life, important to avoid tropical hardwoods.
D — Highly durable if properly cared for, can be sanded and re-oiled to fix scratches.
natural wood / butcher block
H — Naturally anti-microbial, can be made food-safe with non-toxic oil applications, easy to seal and protect with natural oils and finishes.
C — Can be made from reclaimed or salvaged wood, can be sourced hyper-locally and reach carbon negativity, easily recyclable at end of life.
D — Stains and water marks can be impossible to remove, highly vulnerable to damage from heat, can be sanded down and refinished relatively easily.
porcelain slab
H — Highly resistant to mold, mildew, fungi, and bacteria, US-made slabs typically free of glazes containing lead or toxins, no sealers required if grout lines avoided.
C — Relatively high embodied energy due to manufacture process, firing time much longer than ceramic tile, many products imported.
D — Extremely durable and long-lasting, easy to clean, resistant to scratching and chipping, extremely resistant to heat and water damage.
engineered stone / quartz
H —Non-porous and anti-microbial, resists staining from oiI, acids, and liquids, no sealers required, fabricators exposed to silica dust and styrene.
C — Composite product with GHG-intensive manufacturing process, contains fossil-fuel based resins and binders.
D — Extremely durable and resistant to chipping, resistant to staining and acid, susceptible to heat damage at relatively low temperatures, fades over time with UV exposure.
solid surface / corian
H — Non-toxic and food-safe, doesn't require use of toxic sealants, no toxic binders, easy to clean, doesn't off-gas post-manufacture, but workers may be exposed to off-gassing.
C — Extremely energy-intensive manufacture process with very large GHG footprint, product is large slab of fossil-fuel derived plastic.
D — Non-porous and impervious to staining, solid material that can be sanded or scrubbed if scratched or damaged, susceptible to heat damage and can be scratched by sharp objects.
concrete
H — Mold and mildew-resistant and easy to clean when properly sealed and maintained, zero-VOC sealants and finishes available.
C — Extremely energy-intensive, high-carbon manufacturing process, at end of life can be broken down for aggregate but not truly recycled.
D — Extremely strong and durable if sealed, susceptible to cracking and staining, needs to be regularly resealed to avoid moisture damage.
sintered stone
H — Food-safe and non-toxic. Non-porous: doesn't require sealing, resistant to mold, mildew, and bacteria.
C — Highest GHG footprint of any countertop material due to energy-intensive manufacture process.
D — Extremely durable and low-maintenance, very resistant to heat and scratch damage, waterproof.
natural stone
Stone countertops are made from quarried slabs of various natural stones, each with its own distinct appearance and qualities including granite, quartzite, marble, soapstone, and slate. A consistent downside with natural stone are limited domestic providers. Imported slabs vary dramatically in their mining practices and oversight.
granite
H — Resistant to moisture, mold, and mildew when properly sealed, sealants off-gas PFAs and other toxic VOCs, must be regularly re-sealed, which reintroduces those chemicals.
C — Quarrying is ecologically damaging, large GHG footprint from sourcing and transport, difficult to recycle due to weight.
D — Highly resistant to cuts, scrapes, stains, and heat, very durable vs daily wear and tear, brittle and can crack if subjected to sudden stress, impossible to repair cracks.
quartzite
H — Resistant to moisture, mold, and mildew when properly sealed, sealants may off-gas PFAs and other toxic VOCs, must be re-sealed annually, which reintroduces those chemicals.
C — Quarrying is ecologically damaging, large GHG footprint from sourcing and transport.
D — Highly resistant to heat, very durable vs daily wear and tear, somewhat more susceptible to scratches than granite, resistant to stains and moisture when properly sealed.
soapstone
H — Naturally non-porous and anti-microbial, resists staining from oiI, acids, and liquids, no toxic sealants required, cutting slabs generates silica dust.
C — Easier to source than granite or marble, but quarrying is environmentally damaging and produces large amounts of GHGs.
D — Superior thermal properties, naturally acid-resistant, and naturally non-porous, resists staining, doesn't require sealing beyond periodic application of mineral oil.
slate
H — Naturally non-porous and anti-microbial, resists staining from oiI, acids, and liquids, no toxic sealants required, cutting slabs generates silica dust.
C — Relatively easy to source, but quarrying is environmentally damaging and produces large amounts of GHGs, avoids environmentally damaging solvents.
D — Very resistant to chips, scratches, and heat, doesn't require sealing, resists staining from oil, acids, and liquids, relatively inexpensive compared to quartz and other stones.
marble
H — Resistant to moisture, mold, and mildew when properly sealed, sealants off-gas PFAs and other toxic VOCs, must be regularly re-sealed, requires marble-specific cleaning products.
C — Enormous carbon footprint due to limited sourcing, heavy weight, and need to transport
D — Excellent heat resistance, but susceptible to scratching, chipping, and cracking, very susceptible to acid damage, difficult to impossible to repair damage.