Cabinets & Countertops

Cabinetry can be the most expensive component in a kitchen remodel.

• Consider resurfacing or refurbishing existing cabinets first, especially if they are from the 1950s or earlier. There may be ways to maximize the space you have by adding shelves within the cabinets or converting cabinets to drawers under counters. Replacing doors transforms old cabinets at a fraction of the monetary and environmental cost of complete replacement.

• Avoid particleboard or conventional medium density fiberboard (MDF) that contains urea formaldehyde, a compound that can emit harmful fumes for years after installation.

• Look for formaldehyde-free MDF made with exterior grade resins for added durability, agricultural fiber panels such as wheatboard or strawboard that are free from formaldehyde binders, or Forest Stewardship Counci (FSC) certified exterior grade plywood made with phenol formaldehyde-based glue, rather than the harmful urea formaldehyde-based glue.

New kitchen countertops can be a sizable investment. Choosing the best countertop material for your kitchen involves weighing several options based on your priorities.

1. Evaluate whether repairing or refinishing your old countertops will achieve the effect you want.
2. Select countertops that are durable and easy to clean. Consider the following countertop options.

• If you decide to replace your countertops and would like to do it yourself, butcher block is a good option. Look for FSC-certified wood, or wood from urban salvage logging. Use wood treatments labeled food safe in compliance with FDA rules.
• Tile is another product you can install yourself. Find tiles made from recycled glass, recycled porcelain, salvaged ceramic scrap, and feldspar tailings (waste from feldspar processing). Tile tolerates hot cookware and can be repaired by replacing individual tiles, but can be difficult to keep clean and creates an uneven surface.



• Solid surface countertops and engineered stone require professional installation, which can account for up to 80 percent of the cost of a new countertop. Solid surface materials are long lasting and easy to clean, but are made from petrochemicals, can scorch with cookware, scratch easily and are not recyclable.
• Traditional countertops, such as laminates, have their drawbacks: They can be made with toxic resins, can scorch with hot cookware, show nicks and scratches easily, are not recyclable, and their substrate is prone to water damage.
• Look into paper-resin composite countertops that are made using recycled feedstock, can have nicks and cuts sanded out, and are hygienic. They can be scorched with hot cookware.
• Concrete and terrazzo (crushed glass and stone in a cement or epoxy substrate) countertops are long-lasting and durable, and can incorporate recycled materials. On the down side, they are heavy so may require cabinet reinforcement. Also, cement production is energy-intensive and epoxy is petroleum-derived and can emit harmful chemicals while curing.

3. Consider a backsplash to make the wall behind the counter easy to clean and protect it from moisture damage. If using the same material as the countertop, find out if it can be fabricated from one piece to eliminate seams between the countertop and wall. If a seam or joint is unavoidable, look for water-based caulk formulas low in volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and invest in premium quality caulk. If you choose a silicone caulk, look for additive-free, aquarium grade products.