Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are gasses released from chemicals during routine use in American homes. Concentrations of VOCs in your home can be as high as a hundred times stronger than the level of toxic gasses in the outdoors. They’re present in paints, paint strippers, lacquer, solvents, and cleaning supplies.

According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), VOCs are known to cause internal organ damage, nausea and headaches, dizziness, and irritation to eyes, nose, and throat. After a paint stripping project, your home may have 1,000 times the levels of VOCs indoors than in the outside air.

Minimize VOC Exposure with Green Counters

Get With Green reports that solid-surface countertops have few or no issues when it comes to VOCs. You can also use ceramic tile, as long as you install it with a low-VOC adhesive. Even some binders in elegant Terrazzo countertops may emit VOCs.

Composite countertop materials made from recycled products are typically bound together with resins. If you plan on using a composite, ask to see the manufacturer’s certifications for use of low-VOC resins in the binder.

Paints and stains—as well as the adhesives—all can contribute to the levels of off-gassed VOCs in the home. Laminates made of recycled plastic and held together with non-toxic glues are a good choice. But you should make sure they’re glued to a formaldehyde-free substrate. For people who are considering wood butcher block counters, be sure to inspect the materials information for the use of toxic formaldehyde.

Fortunately, if you’re concerned about VOCs, there are plenty of options for you in counters and cabinet laminates.

Nothing seems inexpensive to me anymore. I recently read that per-linear-foot prices for laminate kitchen counters averaged between $10 and $30. And if you have a taste for granite countertops, you should consider paying as much as $200 per-linear-foot.

Thinking it over with the wallet corner of my brain, I decided to investigate current pricing for new countertops. Materials are priced by the linear foot or square foot. I started with Demesne, publishers of books on architecture, interior design, and green living.

According to Demesne, you get what you pay for in terms of quality and workmanship. I harvested their reviews of the more common countertop materials and found the following price averages, from lowest to highest:

Laminate
The least expensive, with a top average cost of $20 per-linear-foot.

Tile
Varies from $35-$80 per linear-foot, based on your choice of glass, ceramic, metal or stone.

Marble
It’s expensive and ranges from $40 to $70 per-square-foot.

Granite
Also pricey. You’ll probably spend $60 per-square-foot, or more.

Wood
The cost may vary dramatically based on the type of wood you choose. Prices begin around $50 per-linear-foot.

Synthetic Stone
Approximately the same cost as granite at $60 per-square-foot, or higher.

Solid Surfacing
Now you’re in the big leagues. Expect to spend from $100 to $150 per-linear-foot.

Concrete
The price is as solid as the material. You may be charged as much as $300 per-linear-foot.

Of course, prices are always in flux, so shop around for the best deal. If you need more help evaluating kitchen countertop prices and features, we have timely advice. While you’re at it, mull over your countertop options.

Cabinet makers and home improvement experts often like to toss around the idea that elbow grease is always preferable in remodeling or restoring cabinets to the use of toxic chemical products. Arguments usually center on the familiar debate over whether time and patience produce superior craftsmanship. I know that it’s easy to paint cabinets with a sprayer, but the end result always shows up in quality when you take time to use a brush and painstakingly produce an even finish.

The same debate seems to circle around the use of deglossers. There’s hardly an argument that these so-called “liquid sanders” can remove the gloss from old cabinets. The question is, does exposure to the naphtha and toluene chemicals in the deglossers offset the elbow grease it takes to get out some TSP and sandpaper and do the work by hand? Many people insist on paint stripping with chemicals.

Ace Hardware contends that you can get the right tacky surface for applying new finish from a deglosser. I’ve heard cabinet makers say that the liquid does not provide the same kind of reliable surface as does sanding. And you have to continue to use fresh rags after a few minutes or you’re just smearing oils around on the surface.

I’d like to hear if you think deglossers are safe for prepping for a cabinet paint job. On the other hand, the National Institute of Health (NIH) certainly has reservations. In a Material Safety Data Sheet  on one such liquid sandpaper product, the NIH lists the following warnings:

• Harmful in contact with skin.
• Risk of serious damage to eyes.
• Possible risk of harm to the unborn child.
• Acute overexposure can cause serious nervous system depression.

Where do you stand?

Are you considering installing acrylic countertops? So many manufacturers are producing them these days that you have an exceptional range of choices in colors and styles. Maintenance is relatively simple, but you do have to follow some guidelines in use or you can discolor or burn the surfaces.

I’ve read that a quick way to damage an acrylic or other solid surface counter is to set a hot fry-pan or saucepan directly on the countertop. Instead, put your pots and pans on a trivet or solid cutting board. In fact, the cutting board is an acrylic countertop’s best friend. Use the board instead of cutting and slicing anything on the counter.

In some cases, if you burn the surface, you can call in a professional contractor/countertop fabricator to sand or buff down the finish. But not always. And repair jobs may void your warranty.

Countertops and Going Solid

Chemical giant DuPont first invented Corian for bathroom counters back in the 60s, and today’s kitchen countertops in the material can be cleaned with dish soap, soft soaps, and water. A mild abrasive may remove shallow cuts and scratches.

Products like Meganite clean up with water and dish soap. LG Surfaces are said to resist knives and, if you choose a matte finish, you can even use an abrasive cleaner. While LG’s High Mac surfaces are said to resist temperatures up to 225 degrees, they can yellow under continuous high heat exposure.

Other solid surface choices include Agonite, Formica, Centura,  Swanstone, and Royalstone. One of the best qualities of solid surfaces is that they’re extremely hygienic. In this day and age, that’s a great attribute.

If you’re among the consumers who are concerned with reductions of hardwood forests and hope to use sustainable veneers in doing a kitchen cabinet makeover, you may want to check with the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) before choosing your materials.

According to the FSC, the organization coordinates forest management standards around the globe, organizing sustainable forestry among loggers, sociologists, environmentalists, and foresters. With global headquarters in Bonn and a national headquarters in Minnesota, the FSC has set standards now observed in 57 countries. The organization estimates that by 2013, 20 percent of American residential construction will follow “green” standards. I’ll mention a few manufacturers, but by no means offer them as research opportunities than endorsements.

Choosing Eco-friendly Veneers

Manufacturer Dooge Veneers suggests that conscious homeowners spec their veneer projects by square footage, length of required veneer, wood species, plain or figured grain patterns, and whether they intend to use FSC certified veneer. The FSC maintains a listing of American companies producing certified veneer on its website.

All considered, your use of veneers in refacing—rather than in replacing cabinets—contributes to the environment since thinly sliced veneers mean that harvested trees go farther.  Better environmental controls are typically in place in North America and Europe.

Another company, Treefrog Veneer, works with Italian wood suppliers in creating ongoing versions of eco-friendly veneers. They select fast-growing woods so forests can replenish themselves. But not all countries are equally concerned. Veneer Selector recommends that you don’t buy from South American foresters and suppliers and choose wisely among African lumber resources.

Sure, I’d love to have Travertine or Vermont slate countertops in my kitchen. But lately, it’s hard to rub two nickels together. That’s what got me started on researching prefabricated countertops. You can save up to 30 percent on your total cost by choosing prefabricated countertops, already sized to standard cabinet depths. You may need to call in a pro to install them and cut holes for the faucet and sinks.

According to the U.S. Patent Office, a prefabricated tile counter can be installed with a “minimum amount of time” and the project can be easily cleaned up afterward. But you can save a ton of money by not having to call in a tile setter. Splash panels that come with the prefab set are also easy to install and cost a lot less than if you go with premium materials.

Prefabricated Countertop Benefits

One immediate benefit when you choose a prefabricated tile counter, you see exactly what you’re getting for the kitchen. Manufacturers can make up a countertop that fits the shape of your available space, and you see the color before it’s completely installed.

But if you look over products and decide against prefab, there are other options for savings on your new or replacement countertops.

Depending on your luck and tenacity, you can round up reclaimed countertops through want ads, Internet listings, or recycling centers that specialize in house parts. You might save as much as 80 percent this way. Remnants at stone yards may also yield 50 percent savings, but you may need additional cuts to make it work in your kitchen.

Face Your Kitchen has a nice roundup of the pros and cons of countertop materials. If you’re interested in laminate countertops, we have a blog just for you.

Still concerned about optimizing your cabinet space to free up more room in the kitchen? Every so often, I like to surf the home improvement websites toward finding new, useful gadgets. Here are a few products that caught my eye recently.

Wall Organizer

I like the slender look and handcrafted iron in this Ballard Designs wire wall organizer. The manufacturer says it includes a powder coating to resist moisture. It could add additional storage when mounted near a work station or cabinet. Seems right, too, for an Italian or Tuscan theme. The dimensions are 29 1/4″H x 25″W x 9″D.

Cabinet Organizer
This wire cabinet organizer from Closet Maid offers a convenient way to store foodstuffs, sauces, spices, or cookware.  And when you’re done, it disappears into the kitchen cabinet! Assembled dimensions are 4.62in. H x 11.06in. W x 20.00in. D (11.74cm H x 28.09cm W x 20.00cm D).

Spice Organizer
What I love about this three-tier spice stack is that the tiers have flip-out drawers on hinges. It hides 60 spice jars in a narrow space and holds them in color-coded drawers so you can put Italian spices in one section, fish or chicken spices in another. Made in plastic, the dimensions are 11 x 11 x 8″.

Space Organizer
Omega National’s Kitchen Mate fits between existing cabinets and provides extra space with adjustable shelves and heavy duty, ball-bearing slides. Fillers are made of maple and plywood, but you would need to add lacquer if desired. The pull-out unit has a 3″ base.

IKEA also has an extensive catalog of kitchen organizers that I find incredibly tempting.  Products include wall-top cabinet frames, baking sheet holders, iron racks, suspension shelves, and caddies.

As the month moves forward, more designers and bloggers are remarking on kitchen color trends for paint and cabinets for 2010. On his blog, Woodrow Aames reported on the top kitchen color schemes for the coming year, predicting that whites, off-whites, and earthy browns will lead the way as consumers move toward a more conventional look. Think traditional or Shaker.

Indeed, the National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA) adds that in materials, cherry wood will be king, followed by alder and, as a rising star, alder wood. Medium and dark natural tones for the finish will join the trend. Even bathroom cabinets will echo the subdued colors prominently used for the 2010 kitchens, with traditional and Shaker cabinets leading the pace.

The Virginia-based Color Marketing Group (CMG), an independent organization, predicts that the color “Mardi Grape”—used for years in fashion—will soon join the palate of neutral colors for 2010. Surprised?

Other colors to come into vogue this year, according to the CMG, include:

• reds (used as accents)
• beige and brown (used as complementary hues)
• orange (to brighten up your sophistication),
• green (as an optimistic accent),
• yellow (tending toward green with gray)
• blue (toned down with gray influences), and
• neutral gray.

More Colors to Consider when Remodeling Cabinets

In choosing new or refaced kitchen cabinets, you might want to compare your wood finish choices with these hues recommended by HGTV.  Writer Jennifer Haupt noted that three new color palates from Pantone could be all the rage:

Ethnic Chic: purples, misty yellows, and stone grays; or vibrant blues, deep browns, and burnt orange.

Savories: tasty Daiquiri greens, chocolates, and bright colors.

Agrestic: soft greens, delicate yellows, and sudden touches of pink accents.

It all makes me hungry!