When it comes to countertops, granite has reigned as the king for a long time. It is often chosen for its durability and beauty, but there are downsides to it as well. Contrary to popular belief, granite does need regular maintenance, like sealing.
Granite can also emit trace radiation, and the mining effort to extract it is intensive and requires a lot of resources. This raises environmental concerns around the widespread adoption of granite.
Many people are now seeking alternatives to spruce up their kitchens and bathrooms while being eco-conscious and innovative. Here are some amazing countertops that could dominate the future.
Recycled Glass
Recycled glass is a versatile material and are a sustainable way of adding a modern and clean chic into your home. Glass fragments can be put into all sorts of resins or concrete to glitter wonderfully when they catch the light without being kitsch.
These countertops are completely sealed and non-porous, meaning they require little maintenance to keep their shine. Each countertop will be unique, meaning yours will be special, and their eco-friendly origins tell a good story. LED lighting can even be installed on the countertop to make the glass glow in different colors, making it a piece of art.
Porcelain Slabs
Porcelain countertops are starting to become more popular in interior design. They are much lighter and thinner than granite, and can have patterns or images printed on them in amazing detail, making them mimic anything from wood to marble.
Porcelain is also resistant to heat and doesn’t stain easily. This makes them a great choice for kitchens inside and also outdoor areas. They are installed in large pieces, meaning there shouldn’t be any gaps or seams that require grouting. Their adaptable and modern look make them a great alternative to granite.
Concrete
When people think of concrete, they normally think if industrial lofts and other imagery that is the opposite of a modern chic. Modern methods mean that concrete can be molded on-site into any shape that you want. Objects can even be embedded in them to add to their aesthetic.
Concrete can also be tinted into nearly any shape, making them suit any kitchen. If done correctly, concrete countertops can look as good as an amazing artwork that has a functional design. Concrete does require sealing and can develop micro-cracks over time. Some embrace these imperfections as part of the countertop’s history.
Bamboo
Many argue whether wood or stone countertops are better, but many haven’t ever considered bamboo, which is its own renewable and eco-friendly solution. Bamboo countertops can have striking looks, and unlike traditional hardwoods, bamboo just takes a few years to fully develop, meaning it is much more sustainable than wood surfaces.
Bamboo has surprising strength and stability, and if it is properly sealed and laminated, it should be just as durable as any hardwood countertop. They have a welcoming, organic look that can suit both minimalist households or eclectic interiors. Eco-conscious interior designers stand by bamboo, and if you have similar feelings, it’s a promising option.
Stainless Steel
Stainless steel as a countertop is incredibly efficient when it comes to cleaning and sanitation. There’s a reason why restaurant kitchens use them, but now they are starting to make their way into high-end interior design.
Stainless may be the most practical countertop material, being non-porous, antimicrobial, and highly resistant to heat and stains. For those who like their aesthetics, you won’t find an easier countertop to work with. Some surfaces can even have a textured or brushed finish to reduce glare from windows and prevent fingerprints from being left behind.
Ultra-Compact Surfaces
There are ultra-compact surfaces, such as Neolith and Dekton, that are engineered using heat and pressure to fuse raw minerals together into a very hardy slab of material. Because of the process of how they are made, they are highly resistant to stains and scratches and won’t get worn out by UV rays or heat.
They can be even more durable than granite in most situations. These countertops come in a large variety of different colors or finishes and can even be designed to mimic your favorite stone countertop. They are relatively thin, which makes installing them a breeze.
Resin Composites
Resin-based countertops will often use recycled materials or minerals for sustainability. The process of creating them means that you can be very creative in their design, and no one countertop will look like the other. The sky is the limit when it comes to creativity, and you can have nearly anything you can think of embedded into the resin.
Some resin-based countertops can even be created with bio-based or other recycled resins, meaning they are at the forefront of eco-friendliness. They are easy to maintain, and small damages can be repaired easily due to them being resin-based.
Large Scale Tile Countertops
Porcelain or ceramic tiles are amazing parts of a kitchen or bathroom’s aesthetic. but large scale tiles can even be used as entire countertops. Using on large tile will eliminate grout lines and have a seamless fit against a tiled wall of the same aesthetic.
If they are damaged or chipped, tile countertops can be replaced easily and are cost-effective. There are all sorts of different designs you can have on your tiles, such as bold patterns or metallic glazes. The only limit to what design you can have is your own imagination.
Paperstone
When people think of paper, they don’t often associate it with durability and water resistance. Thankfully, paperstone takes recycling to another level while being surprisingly durable. Recycled paper is taken and crafted together with petroleum-free resins to create a waterproof and strong countertop surface.
The material is surprisingly dense and non-porous, meaning that stains don’t set in and bacteria don’t thrive. Paperstone has a strange, matte feeling to the touch and is as adaptable as hardwood, meaning it can be installed into any bathroom or kitchen. Paperstone comes in a variety of colors and sets a new standard for kitchen aesthetics in the future.
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