Natural kitchen counter

[sunshine28]

What is the recommended material for a kitchen counter?

I've read that granite (above my $$) is porous and gets moldy underneath. What do we get for the kitchen in our soon to be new home?

Thanks.

[blessedmama59]

Granite also releases radon gas, which is very harmful to your health. There are companies who specialize in natural and eco-friendly housing materials. I'd say if you google it you should be able to find something.

[delightedbutterfly]

I REALLY want a recycled glass counter top when we eventually build.

Harder than granite, repairable and well ecofriendly!!!! Lots of stuff on google. Although the price is fairly similar to granite (but both have come down in price in recent years)
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[Ola_]

Originally Posted by sunshine28

I've read that granite (above my $$) is porous and gets moldy underneath.

What?? I have never heard that. We have granite counters and have not had any issues. Soapstone is fabulous also, but some installers don't do it right and it causes issues - it's also more expensive than granite usually.

For a natural surface, how about a wood butcher block counter? I wouldn't use it to actually cut on, use a cutting board for that, but I think that would do pretty well. You can also sand scratches/stains out and oil it to prevent it from absorbing too much moisture.

[ellemenope]

I find concrete countertops really to my taste.

[Lucy Alden]

I've always wanted a zinc countertop. I love the way they patina as they age. However, they're totally out of our price range.

[karne]

My first choice is soapstone for our new countertops, although my understanding is that most of what's on the market is not from the US anymore. Anyone know any differently?

I would also second concrete. I've seen this is another home, and it looks amazing. The colors and finish possibilities are really interesting.

We currently have high quality butcher block, but personally, I wouldn't do it again. I don't care for the way it needs to be cared for, and I find that it looks bad quickly.

I'm not a granite person, simply because I don't like the look of shiny granite, although I do understand it can be finished to a matte finish. Just feel like it's time to look at different materials.

[Amys1st]

We have part chopping block style and the other majority is copper. We saw it in a bar years ago. It changes color with age and with different things on top. We polish it every few months too. We get so many compliments on it.
We didnt want granite but wanted something unique.

[ILoveMyBabyBird]

any pics of the concrete counters and what is the price range for it? I always had dreams of remodeling and putting in granite, but now not so sure after reading these posts.

ETA: i found some pics with google:

http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=...ed=0CDUQ9QEwBA

wow liking the recyled glass images too on google, okay i'm still dreaming, we won't be able to remodal for a while longer, but it's nice to look! =)

[sunshine28]

It seems like the copper and concrete need to be handled with care. I have a family and we're not always so gentle arougd the kitchen!

Thanks. Some thinking is needed here!

Sara