Green Countertop Questions

I am looking for real-world performance information on green countertop options. How well do these actually function in a kitchen?

— Suparna Kadam East Brunswick, NJ

Polly Osborne, AIA, LEED AP

Answered by Polly Osborne, AIA, LEED AP

Los Angeles, CA

Polly Osborne Architects

June 28, 2010

What countertop sealer should I use for my new Vetrazzo?

— Dayla Braunschweig Federal Way, WA

Answered by Molly McCabe, AKBD, CGP on August 8, 2010

Is it possible to find granite countertops that do not emit gamma radiation?

— kathy Powell West Palm Beach, FL

Answered by Polly Osborne, AIA, LEED AP on July 22, 2010

I am looking for real-world performance information on green countertop options. How well do these actually function in a kitchen?

— Suparna Kadam East Brunswick, NJ

Answered by Polly Osborne, AIA, LEED AP on June 28, 2010

I am wondering what is the most cost-efficient low-VOC or no-VOC countertop option.

— Shelley Gaithersburg, MD

Answered by David Edwards PhD on June 6, 2010

Should I be concerned about the radiation that quartz countertops emit?

— saga Fort Lauderdale, FL

Answered by David Edwards PhD on June 2, 2010

Are Squak Mountain Stone, ShetkaStone and Lithistone sustainable options for kitchen countertops, or are there better alternatives?

— Erika De Boever

Answered by Susan Davis on June 1, 2010

I installed honed granite countertops in my kitchen about 7 months ago. What do you recommend for a low/zero-VOC sealer?

— Amy San Francisco, CA

Answered by Kati Curtis, LEED AP ID&C, CID on May 6, 2010

I want to paint over the Formica backsplash in my kitchen rather than tear it out and replace. Any recommendations?

— Mark Robertson Little Rock, AR

Answered by David Lavender on April 26, 2010

I'm thinking of installing a quartz countertop in our kitchen. How durable, how safe for the air, and how green is this choice?

— elizabeth Rhinebeck, NY

Answered by Kati Curtis, LEED AP ID&C, CID on April 15, 2010

Has anyone compared the overall carbon footprints of different countertop materials (e.g., mined vs. manufactured stone)?

— Gail Merritt Chicago, IL

Answered by Gennaro Brooks-Church on April 15, 2010

Is quartz solid surfacing green?

— jc Sea Isle City, NJ

Answered by Kati Curtis, LEED AP ID&C, CID on April 7, 2010

Do you know anything about a product called IceStone -- recycled glass and concrete for countertops?

— Joanne New York, NY

Answered by Susan Welker, AIA, LEED AP, RID, NCARB on March 9, 2010

I am considering using bamboo countertops in my kitchen. What can you tell me about this?

— Judy Denton

Answered by Jeff Jeannette on February 26, 2010

What would you recommend as a durable, environmentally responsible, and attractive countertop material that is also reasonably priced?

— Kaye Key, Bangor, ME

Answered by Victoria Schomer on September 17, 2009

Is glass mosaic tile too fragile for a kitchen countertop? Is it difficult to install?

— Pinar Alscher, Oakland, CA

Answered by Richard Reilly on August 6, 2009

 

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