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Know-How · Stone & Tile
Green Buyer’s Guide to Stone & Tile
by Subject Editors, 06/12/05This buyer's guide will make comparing the environmental attributes of stone and tile materials easier and more reliable. Use it to find the best stone or tile material for your specific situation.
| Material | Selection Tips | Pros | Cons | Materials Cost | Recommended Uses |
| Ceramic & Porcelain Made from clay, a natural but finite resource. Durable, low maintenance. |
Look for locally manufactured tiles with high recycled content (glass, ceramic), preferably post-consumer. Avoid lead-based and radioactive glazes on some imported tiles. | * durable * easy to clean * low/no VOC emissions * resistant to stains and burning |
* high embodied energy * because of its heavy weight, high embodied energy for transport * clay mining impacts land and water quality |
* $10 - $20 per square foot for ceramic * $5 - $12 per square foot for porcelain |
* floor * countertop * wall * fireplace |
| Glass Durable material, often with recycled content. |
Look for locally manufactured tiles with high recycled glass content, preferably post-consumer. | * sintering process used by some manufacturers requires less energy than conventional melting * up to 100% recycled content * durable * easy to clean * low/no VOC emissions |
* high embodied energy to fire and produce tiles * because of its heavy weight, high embodied energy for transport * smooth tile surfaces will scratch under heavy wear |
$15 - $40 per square foot | * floor * countertop * wall * fireplace |
| Terrazzo Aggregate of glass or stone chips (sometimes recycled) and binders. |
Look for locally manufactured tiles with high recycled content, preferably post-consumer. Some binders may emit VOCs. Available as both tiles and poured-in-place integral floor slab (w/ epoxy or cement binder). | * recycled content * durable * easy to clean * resistant to stains and burning |
* because of its heavy weight, high embodied energy for transport |
$20+ per square foot (furnish & install) for slab | * floor * wall * countertop * fireplace |
| Granite Some colors are domestically quarried; natural resource and durable material. |
Because large amounts of energy required for transport, look for locally mined and fabricated stone (within 500 miles). Salvaged stone is available. | * highly durable * easy to clean |
* because of its heavy weight, high embodied energy for transport * stone is a finite resource * mining impacts land and water quality |
* $15+ per square foot for slabs * $12+ per square foot for tiles * $375+/ ton for rough pavers (approx 75 sq feet/ton at 2” thick) |
* floor * wall * countertop * fireplace |
| Marble Some colors are domestically quarried; natural resource and durable material. |
Look for locally mined and fabricated stone (within 500 miles). Salvaged stone is available. | * easy to clean | * requires frequent resealing * finish is harmed by acidic liquids/ cleaners * because of its heavy weight, high embodied energy for transport * stone is a finite resource * mining impacts land and water quality |
$12 - $50 per square foot for tiles | * wall * fireplace |
| Flagstone Some kinds are domestically quarried; natural resource and durable material. |
Look for locally mined and fabricated stone (within 500 miles). Salvaged stone is available. | * durable * easy to clean |
* because of its heavy weight, high embodied energy for transport * stone is a finite resource * mining impacts land and water quality |
$480 / ton for rough pavers (approx 75 sq feet/ton at 2” thick) | * floor * wall * fireplace |
| Soapstone Natural resource; durable material. Soapstone (Steatite) has been used in kitchens for centuries. |
Not a preferred environmental choice because no domestic sources are available. Imported Soapstone (often from Brazil) requires large amounts of transportation energy. | * easy to clean * may be sealed with a coat of mineral oil |
* scratches easily; less durable than other stones * high embodied energy for transport from foreign quarries * mining impacts land and water quality * stone is a finite resource |
$55 per square foot (furnish and install) | * countertop * wall * fireplace |
| Sandstone Domestically quarried natural resource; durable material. Domestic mines located in Arizona, New Mexico, Nevada, Colorado. |
Look for locally mined and fabricated stone (within 500 miles). For Northern California residents, there are few if any sources of locally mined and fabricated Sandstone (within 500 miles). | * durable | * porous and absorbent; will stain easily * because of its heavy weight, high embodied energy for transport * mining impacts land and water quality * stone is a finite resource |
$250 - $480 / ton for rough pavers (approx 75 sq feet/ton at 2” thick) | * flooring * wall * fireplace |
| Slate Domestically quarried natural resource; durable material. Primary domestic mines located in Vermont. |
Not a preferred environmental choice for residents of western U.S. There are few if any sources of locally mined and fabricated slate (within 500 miles). | * durable * resistant to stains and burning * impervious to water |
* requires regular resealing * scratches easily * because of its heavy weight, high embodied energy for transport * mining impacts land and water quality * stone is a finite resource |
* $6 - $12 per square foot for tiles * $500 / ton for rough pavers (approx 75 sq feet/ton at 2” thick) |
* countertop * fireplace |