5 Products for an Eco-Friendly Kitchen Design
A kitchen uses a lot of your home's energy, from the electricity required to power appliances and illuminate prep spaces to the gas needed to heat water on the stove or cook the night's dinner. One of the best ways to help neutralize the carbon footprint left by your kitchen is to design the space with the environment in mind, something we do often for our customers. The good news is that there are now so many eco-friendly kitchen design products on the market, that it's possible to design a green space without sacrificing an ounce of style. Here are a few of our most-used and most-love eco-friendly kitchen design products.
Icestone, Vetrazzo, Paperstone and Richlite Countertops
Countertops from brands like Icestone, Vetrazzo and Richlite are made from recycled material and are a beautiful and green alternative to stone countertops like granite or marble. Icestone and Vetrazzo's products are made from recycled glass, while Paperstone and Richlite's are created from recycled or FSC-certified paper (yes, paper!) and resin.
Concrete Countertops
If you're after a contemporary or industrial look for your space, concrete is another eco-friendly option for kitchen countertops. Locally-sourced concrete can be poured in place to cut down on energy use during transportation.
Low/no VOC cabinetry and finishes
For those who are concerned with not just the environment outside of their home, but inside as well, low/no VOC cabinetry and finishes are a must. Many of our custom cabinetry manufacturers offer finishing with all-natural waxes and oils, or zero VOC paint.
High efficiency and Energy Star appliances
Most major appliance brands on the market nowadays offer Energy Star or high-efficiency models that can reduce energy expenditures by up to 20 percent.
LED Lighting
LED light fixtures can use up to 80 percent less energy than traditional lightbulbs, and technology and design have both come a long way in the last ten years. LED fixtures now come in nearly as many style options as standard fixtures, and the light color almost identically mimics that of incandescent bulbs.