8 eco-friendly kitchen renovations for smart homeowners

By Jon Labelle

Canadian homeowners are choosing wisely when planning their kitchen renovations. If you're considering a change soon, selecting eco-friendly and environmentally safe products will help the planet, your health and your wallet. Whether you're doing a complete tear-out or a simple update, creating a holistic design will enhance a healthy family lifestyle

1) Eco-friendly countertops

There are numerous eco-friendly options you can choose from - among them are natural stone products such as granite and quartz. Granite is made from naturally occurring minerals such as feldspar, quartz and mica. Slabs are polished and custom cut to create spectacular countertops in almost any configuration.

Quartz is the second most plentiful mineral on the planet and forms the stone that is blended with polymer resins and pigments to form colourful and patterned work surfaces. In addition to being top-trending countertop choices for kitchen renovations, the experts from Kitchen Land indicate that these products will last a lifetime, making them sustainable and truly green.

Glass, cement and porcelain countertops are now being recycled to create more green countertop options. The multifaceted colour combinations and unique design possibilities may fit perfectly into your eco-conscious kitchen remodel.

2) Responsible cabinetry

New cabinets can take a significant bite out of your budget, so you'll want to consider your options carefully. Reusing your current cabinetry can be both economical and eco-friendly. You can refinish the cabinets, replace the doors only, or do a complete tear out. Be sure to use non-toxic paints and varnishes to update your current cupboards. For new products, look for solid, responsibly harvested wood or sustainable materials such as bamboo to avoid urea-formaldehyde off-gassing found in most pressed wood cabinets.

3) Energy efficient windows and doors

While you're probably familiar with ENERGY STAR certified products, you may not think about how much new windows or doors can enhance your custom kitchen design. Advances in technology provide energy-saving properties when low emissivity (low-E) glass is included with windows, doors and skylights. A metallic coating is applied to the inside of the insulating glass unit to reduce heat transfer. It also reflects UV rays to reduce fading by up to 75%.

4) Energy efficient appliances

You can't consider a kitchen remodeling project without including new energy efficient appliances. Green kitchens always include ENERGY STAR appliances and can reduce energy usage up to 50% compared to your old appliances. You may be surprised to learn that refrigerators can account for 9% to 15% of your home's electricity use, so you'll want to make a change if your fridge is more than 10 years old. Efficiency varies from model to model, so you'll want to research options. Be sure to select the proper size for your needs; too small will mean over-filling and over-working; too big will waste energy by cooling empty space.

Also, choose a new stove wisely. If you plan on using gas, look for the lowest BTU output for maximum efficiency. Electric stoves are considered the healthier, more eco-friendly choice over gas, which add more NO2 and CO into the air. Go one step further and purchase green power which is obtained from clean, renewable sources.

5) Low flow smart faucets

Just when you think you've seen every green option available, now you can even add a smart faucet to your new kitchen. Of course, they include a low-flow feature for water conservation but now many include motion sensors for better control with the wave of a hand. Quick hot to cool temperature sensors save water and make cooking a breeze.

6) Reclaimed materials

Reclaimed materials can provide a vintage, one-of-a-kind look for your kitchen space while helping the environment. Just imagine reclaimed tile for a unique backsplash or flooring made from reclaimed barn wood - what a great conversation starter.

Organizing your kitchen can also be a lot of fun with repurposed cabinets or a freestanding armoire turned into an island workstation or desk unit. Door hardware can be expensive. Why not consider classic porcelain handles for cabinets or crystal knobs for entry doors? The possibilities are only limited by your imagination. Don't forget to post your own materials on Freecycle or Craigslist for recycling - your trash is another’s treasure.

7) Sustainable paints, stains and varnishes

Toxic chemicals are found in typical household paint. Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are unstable, contain carbon and quickly vaporize into the air. They combine or react with other elements to produce ozone and air pollution. Health issues from contact can include headaches, watery eyes, nausea and breathing problems. Some VOCs have even been linked to cancer. Choose no- or low-VOC paints, stains and varnishes to remove the risk of off-gassing permanently.

8) Responsible wood flooring

There are a number of sustainable flooring options for your new kitchen. Wood is one of the best options if it's FSC-certified (Forest Stewardship Council), which means that the wood has been harvested responsibly.

Take it one step further and choose from local species that require minimum transportation and supports the local economy. Salvaged or reclaimed wood get high marks for sustainability. Remember that flooring doesn't have to start out that way - be creative and have salvaged beams milled into a brand new hardwood floor.

Engineered wood flooring is another excellent green option. This type of flooring is designed in wood layers for durability and stability. Temperature and humidity changes rarely cause warping as this product is more stable than solid wood. Be sure to look for FSC-certified and formaldehyde-free products.

Linoleum flooring is often mistaken for sheet vinyl. True linoleum is made from natural, renewable materials such as: cork dust, linseed oil, tree resins, mineral pigments and recycled wood. It's then mounted on a backing and made into sheets, tiles or planks. Again, make sure all adhesives are labeled "no-VOC" for optimum safety.

Before you begin your eco-friendly kitchen remodeling project, remember that not all "green" products are the same. It's important that all new products are non-toxic, energy efficient and designed to last for years. Where possible, use recycled, salvaged or repurposed materials as they will provide a classic look with the least impact on the environment.