Eco-Friendly Materials for a Sustainable Kitchen Remodel

According to the National Association of Realtors, sustainable features of a home are the latest trend to attract buyers. They value sustainability and want more of these features in their homes- even in their kitchens. A sustainable kitchen begins with selecting eco-friendly materials that positively impact our environment and the durability of our home, while also enhancing its aesthetic appeal and value.

1. Sustainable countertop and cabinet materials

A countertop is one of the best options for a kitchen upgrade, as it instantly elevates any kitchen’s aesthetic appeal and functionality. They are beautiful and durable, balancing the unique beauty of their natural textures while handling scratches and stains. While there are many popular choices of materials for countertops, such as laminates, tiles, natural stones, engineered surfaces, wood, or metals, choosing a sustainable material has gained significant appeal to homeowners. Choosing materials such as bamboo and recycled glass with environmental considerations in mind is a responsible choice while ensuring that our countertop and cabinets remain future-proof.

a. Bamboo

Bamboo is known for its renewability and rapid growth, making it a popular choice for a sustainable countertop and cabinet material. Bamboo’s strength, durability, and versatility as a countertop ensure a sleek and modern aesthetic for your kitchen remodel. Here are some key factors that make bamboo a popular sustainable material:

• Bamboo grows fast, taking only 4-7 years to mature before it can be harvested.

• Its stems grow strong and long enough, up to 130 feet high, with 1-foot-thick stems.

• Bamboo mitigates a significant amount of carbon, reducing climate change by isolating 2.03 metric tons of carbon per hectare per year, according to an analysis by Project Drawdown.

• Some bamboo types are harder than both maple and oak, making it a durable kitchen surface that withstands daily wear and tear.

• Bamboo offers natural aesthetics due to its pleasing color and unique pattern that mimics the warm look of wood countertops.

• It is a cost-effective choice for many homeowners, as the price range of a quality bamboo countertop is comparable to that of other hardwoods.

While bamboo offers numerous benefits as a suitable kitchen countertop and cabinet, it requires regular maintenance, such as resealing, to maintain its non-porous surface and prevent scratches in the long run.

b. Recycled Glass

Recycled glass countertops and cabinets are made from crushed, recycled glass mixed with resins, a unique blend of durability and aesthetics. It is ecologically friendly as glass can be reused several times without losing its strength. According to the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services, it can take 1 million years for a glass bottle to decompose in the environment. Some of its benefits as a countertop are:

• Glass cabinets and countertops are heat-resistant, with higher durability to prevent cracking and staining without the need for resealing.

• Different minerals in glass give it its unique colors, including black, red, gray, brown, or green.

Choosing a recycled glass countertop can give added value to your home’s kitchen with longevity and less maintenance.

Fig. 1. Glass cabinets in a Nashville kitchen by Modern Handymen & Remodel

2. Low-VOC paints and finishes

Traditional painting can release harmful volatile organic compounds (VOCs) into the air, which cause environmental degradation and health risks. Sustainable kitchen designs prioritize the use of paints and finishes with low or zero-VOC formulations through environmentally responsible application methods. Eco-friendly painting solutions through kitchen remodels can start from using natural paints made from plant-based materials and recycled paints that reduce waste, ensuring that your sustainable kitchen remodel contributes low or no VOC to the environment. To ensure that the paints and finishes you use are truly eco-friendly, check the label to confirm the VOC content and look for third-party certifications. Using these eco-friendly paints and finishes in your kitchen remodel contributes to a healthier kitchen while reducing carbon footprint in the environment, a powerful way to enhance your kitchen while promoting sustainability.

Fig. 2. Sustainable painting in a Nashville home by Modern Handymen & Remodel

3. Energy-efficient appliances and LED lighting

According to the U.S. Department of Energy, the light-emitting diode (LED) is today's most energy-efficient and rapidly developing lighting technology. Quality LED light bulbs last longer, are more durable, and offer comparable or better light quality than other types of lighting. LED lighting uses at least 75% less energy. LED lighting can give an instant, elegant touch to your kitchen ambience, such as installing under-lighting or a row of sconce lighting above the backsplash to make your kitchen feel cozy and collected. If you are remodeling your kitchen, lighting upgrades can significantly enhance the space's visual appeal. Installing LED lighting at the right locations adds depth and character to your small kitchen while promoting sustainability.

Florida Education Institute recommends getting ENERGY STAR-rated appliances, which use up to 15% less energy than standard models. By using energy-efficient modern appliances such as refrigerators, washing machines, dishwashers, thermostats, and HVAC systems, you can keep the energy bill low while reducing environmental impacts.

Upgrading your outdated appliances and lighting fixtures helps reduce heat emissions in the environment, ensuring a more sustainable kitchen remodel. Reduced energy consumption promotes sustainability by conserving natural resources and minimizing greenhouse gas emissions and pollution associated with energy production. Energy conservation reduces the need for potentially environmentally impactful infrastructure, mitigating pollution and climate change.

Fig. 3. Upgraded appliances in a Tennessee kitchen

4. Water-saving fixtures for an eco-friendly kitchen

Installing water-saving fixtures in your kitchen remodel not only promotes sustainability through water conservation but also ensures water quality. Some of these water-saving fixtures for an eco-friendly kitchen are:

• Touchless faucets that can automatically turn off when not in use

• Low-flow faucets maintain consistent pressure while using less water.

• A water filtration system primarily improves water quality and reduces your reliance on bottled water, which mitigates the production of plastic waste and promotes a healthier lifestyle.

• Tankless water heaters reduce energy usage by heating water only when needed.

• Innovative plumbing systems can detect leaks and monitor water usage, making it easier to conserve water.

• Programmable thermostats for water heaters can help you ensure that you only use energy when necessary.

5. How sustainable choices impact home value

Home remodeling is a great way to promote sustainability. “Homeowners should try to reuse and improve an existing home rather than start over,” says Steffen Lehmann, an architect and urbanist experienced in the Interdisciplinary Cluster for Sustainable Cities. Eco-friendly choices in any remodel add lasting value to your home. A simple step, such as choosing eco-friendly kitchen materials, is a big move in promoting sustainability. Upgrading your kitchen with sustainable choices for kitchen materials reduces environmental impact while making your home feel healthier and more welcoming for your family and friends.

Whether you are considering building new or taking on a significant home renovation, hire professionals who are skilled and knowledgeable in sustainable design, as recommended by the National Association of Realtors. Homeowners in Tennessee, primarily in Nashville, Brentwood, and Franklin, trust their kitchen remodeling journey to the reliable and vetted professionals of Modern Handymen and Remodel. From small handyman jobs to large-scale remodels of your kitchen, our team ensures that everything is well-communicated for you to make timely and informed decisions for a smooth kitchen remodel journey. Call us at 615-200-8071 to help you make sustainable plans for your kitchen remodel. Create a kitchen that’s beautiful, functional, and good for the environment—begin your sustainable remodel now!