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Eco-Friendly Home Design: Are Mineral Surfaces the Green Choice?

A view of tall trees in an eco-friendly forest.
Until recently, granite, a natural stone, reigned supreme for those choosing the perfect benchtop material. However, the situation has since changed, and all eyes are now on a new contender – engineered stone. Mineral Surface benchtops represent the perfect mix of beauty and function. On the one hand, they can look however you’d like, sporting an eye-catching, uniform pattern throughout your home or property. On the other hand, this surface is exceptionally sturdy, durable, and resistant to many dangers that plague other benchtop materials. But is a mineral surface benchtop a good choice for environmentally conscious home or business owners? After all, the growing awareness of the world’s environmental challenges has put sustainability at the forefront of purchasing considerations for many.

Are Mineral Surfaces Eco-Friendly?

Short answer – yes, mineral surfaces are eco-friendly. Mineral Surface benchtop material consists of over 90% of natural minerals. However, the material’s origin isn’t the only “green” thing about it. Mineral Surface benchtops are eco-friendly every step of the way, from the manufacturing process to the finished product’s regular maintenance. Let’s break this down in more detail.

There are an Abundance of Minerals in the Nature

Minerals is one of the most abundant materials in the Earth’s crust. When you can find natural minerals virtually anywhere, there’s no need to employ heavy machinery and complex mining processes that wreak havoc on the environment. When there’s a quarry near a manufacturing facility, transportation costs are reduced and, thus, less carbon emissions.

Mineral Surface Countertops Have a Long Life Span

When manufactured and installed correctly, mineral surface benchtops are virtually indestructible. Here are just some of the common adversaries of traditional benchtops they’re resistant to: 
  • Impact
  • Heat
  • Stains
  • Scratches
Given this surface’s sturdiness, home- and business owners don’t have to worry about replacing them frequently.

Mineral Surfaces Are Recyclable

Mineral surface benchtops can undoubtedly take quite a beating without showing any signs of damage. However, excessive damage isn’t the only reason you might want to discard (or replace) a benchtop. You might be moving to another home or upgrading to a larger benchtop. Whatever the case, you’ll be happy to know that minerals are a recyclable material.

With this in mind, mineral surface benchtops make an excellent choice not only for environmentally conscious individuals.

Mineral Surface Countertops Require No Sealing

Most benchtop materials require sealing. Granite, marble, and dolomite are just some materials that will deteriorate rapidly without this maintenance task. But as a non-porous material, most engineered stone benchtops, including zero-silica mineral surfaces, do not require sealing.

Now, sealing isn’t inherently hazardous for the environment. But make a single misstep in choosing a sealant, and it becomes so. For example, solutions containing ingredients like light distillates and butoxyethanol can be toxic to humans and the environment.

Cleaning Mineral Surface Countertops Is a Breeze

Mineral surface benchtops require minimal maintenance. As a non-porous surface with no crevices, there’s nowhere for dirt to hide or liquids to penetrate. This ease of maintenance translates to using only light cleaning solutions that contain no chemicals that can harm the environment.

Of course, this is a significant plus for environmentally friendly homeowners. But we’re confident parents with young children and busy household members will also appreciate it.

An Eco-Conscious Choice

There you have it – the answer to the question, “Are mineral surfaces eco-friendly?” is a resounding yes. Armed with this information, you can choose the perfect mineral surface benchtop for your home or business, knowing you won’t harm the environment with the new addition. Quattro Stone is here to help you with the selection process. We offer mineral surface slabs in numerous colour options and designs, allowing you to find the perfect style for your home or business. Get in touch with us today, and let us guide you towards a choice that combines beauty, durability, and sustainability.