4 Innovations in Green Design in Kitchen Renovations

When you recycle your glass and jars, do you ever wonder what happens to them? Well, they may be going into your countertops! Yes, today, homeowners are often opting for countertops made of recycled materials, including glass. These countertops provide the same sleek appearance of granite or quartz, yet they’re a much more environmentally conscious option. They’re usually available in a variety of colors, too, including blue-gray, beige, dark blue, emerald-gray and many more.

Another great counter choice is the man-made quartz countertop. It is becoming as widely used as granite and offers endless design possibilities while helping conserve energy and natural resources. These beautiful counters are made up of 90% or more of quartz crystals and powders. Since quartz is one of the most abundant and inexpensive minerals on earth, you will be preserving less abundant materials and cutting back on the energy and oil needed to make other counter materials like solid surface and laminates tops. Consult with your kitchen renovation specialist to see if you could use these great new countertops in your kitchen remodeling.

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Environmentally-Friendly Flooring

Now that you’ve chosen environmentally friendly materials for your countertops, do the same for your kitchen’s floors! There’s a new type of resilient full sheet material called Marmolium flooring. It is made from all-natural materials like linseed oil, wood flour and limestone. More of a hardwood floors person? You can still stay green with this style flooring, too! Search for hardwood flooring composed of wood from sustainable sources approved by Forest Stewardship Council. You may also want to consider more exotic woods, like bamboo, for your wood flooring. Natural cork is another beautiful and comfortable eco-friendly floor covering. It is made from the bark of the cork oak tree. The bark is scraped off without harming the tree and it grows back quickly!

Dishwashers with Soil Sensors and High Energy Star Ratings

Not every load of dishes is created equal. Sometimes, you may only need to wash half a load of dishes, while other times, you may need to do an entire load. Older dishwasher models may not recognize the different levels of soil on the dishes or the size of the loads and they will use the same amount of water for both. Dishwashers equipped with the latest sensor technology, however, can detect how dirty the dishes and pots are and adjust the water usage accordingly.

Make sure you consider buying a more efficient dishwasher by looking at and comparing the Energy Star labels and ratings. Also, a dishwasher with more cycle choices including eco drying and light wash will conserve both water and the large amount of energy needed to heat the water. While you’re shopping, take a look at the drawer style dishwashers. You can use just one drawer for smaller loads instead of waiting for a full load with a full size door dishwasher.

What are your favorite innovations for environmentally friendly kitchen designs? Let us know by leaving a comment on The Kitchen Master’s Facebook page! To get started on your kitchen remodeling project, contact our team today.

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Naperville

Glen Ellyn