The kitchen is a room some use simply to cook meals, while others see it as the heart of the home and a place where long-lasting connections are built. Regardless of how you view your kitchen, environmental concerns, sustainability and the notion of a product’s life cycle and the materials used in interior design may be motivating you to find solutions that are stylish, durable, and Earth-friendly. Read on to discover three trendy alternatives that will reduce your environmental footprint, while enhancing your kitchen space.
Induction versus gas stovetops
The use of induction ranges and stovetops has exploded in popularity due to their superiority over their gas and electric-coiled counterparts. The range of highly coveted benefits include precise temperature control, energy efficiency, lack of CO2 emissions, auto-sizing pan detection and electromagnetic connection, making them a safer choice around kids and an easier match for routine cleaning.
Eco-friendly countertops
One of the easiest ways to add some extra flare to your kitchen is by installing a statement countertop that becomes the focal point of the room. But when it comes to choosing a countertop material, it’s important to consider the environmental impact and potential health risks. Many popular options often travel here from long distances and release odourless and radioactive gasses, pose health risks and are not particularly eco-friendly to the environment.
If you’re in the market for new kitchen countertops, consider more eco-conscious materials such as quartz and Corian, which have less of an impact than the mining required for other materials. These options also eliminate the use of toxic sealants and will last a lifetime without cracking or chipping, so they are longer-lasting and more sustainable.
Polished concrete floors
This type of flooring is a great option if you’re looking for a sustainable and eco-friendly alternative, since it is a low-VOC flooring type that is also a small contributor to greenhouse gases. When correctly installed and sealed, mechanically polished concrete can last a lifetime and, when properly maintained, it never needs to be replaced.
The reflectiveness of natural and artificial light on the concrete surface brightens up a space, reducing the number of indoor lights needed left on at any given time. The thermal mass of concrete floors means they will absorb and store heat during the day and release it at a slow rate throughout the evening, minimizing the use of electrical heaters. A poured concrete floor cuts down on resource use and there are no scrap leftovers from cutting the flooring to size that typically gets sent to a landfill.