Materials Guide for your Sustainable Home

Contents

Introduction 3Reclaimed timber 5Locally sourced timber 6FSC/PEFC timber 7Birch faced ply 8Bamboo 9Foresso: recycled wood 10Richlite: recycled paper 11Recycled glass 12Altrock: recycled marble 13Mistral: acrylic stone composite 14Duropal laminate 15Durat: recycled plastic 16Valchromat 17Stainless steel 18Quartz 19Material Research 20Material Comparison 21Care & Maintenance 22Contact Details 23

IntroductionThis guide is designed to help you with the array of choices of sustainable materials for your new kitchen, bathroom, bedroom or home office.

Choosing the materials for your dream living spaceThere are so many materials available on the market that the choice can sometimes be overwhelming. We want to help you narrow that choice down, giving you the details you need to make an informed decision. We have hand-picked a selection of materials with different looks, textures and properties, but all ingredients that will combine well to create your dream living space.

Practical as well as beautifulWhether in a kitchen, bathroom, or somewhere else in between, your living space needs to be practical as well as beautiful. This guide looks at our materials in terms of practicality, how durable the material is and the level of maintenance it requires in order to keep it looking good.

Sustainability for allAt Sheffield Sustainable Kitchens, we strongly believe that there is the right sustainable product for your dream kitchen or bathroom, at a price that works for you.The materials in this guide come with varying degrees of sustainability, but all of them have eco credentials which make them worth considering as options for your new space.When rating the level of sustainability, we have considered:• manufacturing process• recycled content• transportation miles• expected lifespan• whether it can be

recycled post-useIt’s worth remembering that the longer a kitchen lasts, the more sustainable it is.

The right material for your budgetThe selection of materials span a range of budget levels and allow a wide variety of designs and styles.

Samples to compare in your own homeAn important part of choosing materials is making sure the look and feel is right for you and your home. We encourage our clients to compare samples in the light in their own space, so they can make an informed decision about which is best for them. If you’d like to see samples of any of the materials, email our Sales and Design team on info@ssk.uk.com

Can’t find what you’re looking for?The materials included in this guide are by no means exhaustive. If there is a particular material on your wish list that you would like in your kitchen or bathroom design, please let us know and we will include it.

Reclaimed timber is a great sustainable option for use in your kitchen. Strong and durable, the reclaimed hardwood we use have already stood the test of time in their previous lives, for example working as school science lab benches. By sanding back the cosmetic wear and tear we reveal the fantastic wood grain below. We then refinish to enhance and protect the timber for its next role in your home. Reclaimed timbers provide your new living space with an interesting backstory.

Reclaimed timberUses: worktops, upstands, shelving, bespoke feature elements, door and drawer fronts, furniture, cutlery trays, bath panels

Photos (top to bottom)• A Sheffield Sustainable

Kitchen featuring reclaimed iroko worktops.

• A kitchen we created for George Clarke’s Ugly House to Lovely House on Channel 4 television.

• A bespoke cutlery tray featuring reclaimed timber to match the kitchen worktops.

Some of our previous projects have used oak from Belgian railway carriages to create solid kitchen cabinet doors, pine floorboards from a Sheffield stage to create bespoke cabinets and shelving, and oak salvaged from the pews of a local Catholic church to form a beautiful feature worktop on a kitchen island. As each piece of timber is unique, there may be slight differentiations in colour and woodgrain throughout your handmade kitchen or bathroom.

BEST FOR

SUSTAINABILITY

A sustainable alternative to FSC and PEFC certified timber (see below) is to source timber locally. This not only keeps the product mileage and carbon footprint low, but also supports the local economy. With the local wood we are able to know exactly where the wood came from and why it was felled, giving a greater degree of traceability even than certifications such as FSC or PEFC.

Locally sourced timberUses: worktops, upstands, shelving, bespoke feature elements, door and drawer fronts, cutlery trays

Photos (top to bottom)• Bespoke cabinet doors and

drawer fronts handmade in our workshop from locally- sourced pippy oak.

• A solid free-standing kitchen designed and hand-crafted in our workshop from locally- sourced oak.

• Locally sourced ash with a rich woodgrain.

By using trusted local sources, we are able to widen the choice of beautiful timber we can offer you. We carry stock of, and can regularly source local ash, beech, spalted beech, and cherry, amongst many other options. If you have a particular type of timber in mind, let us know and we’ll do our best to find it.

BEST FOR

SUSTAINABILITY

All of our timber is, at a minimum, officially certified by either the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) or Programme of Endorsement for Forest Certification (PEFC). We strive to source fresh timber that has been sustainably harvested. By only buying certified woods we can be confident that forests are thriving for future generations. We are able to supply oak, beech, cherry, ash, maple and pine to name a few - if you are interested in any others just ask!

FSC/PEFC timberUses: worktops, upstands, shelving, bespoke feature elements, door and drawer fronts, cutlery trays

Photos (top to bottom)• Bespoke island storage

screen and worktop in FSC oak.

• This sustainable kitchen has FSC-certified oak worktops throughout. It’s important to note that regular maintenance is required for timber worktops, particularly around sink areas.

• Fold down breakfast bar we designed in FSC beech timber.

Birch faced plywood is an engineered wood. This means it is man-made, produced from layers of wood, glued together to create a strong surface. Plywood is a very stable material due to the cross laminated sheets it’s made of, which means it doesn’t tend to move or swell under normal circumstances. We don’t recommend ply as a kitchen worktop as there are so many alternative materials which are better suited, but it is a great material to make cabinets, shelves, wine racks and other items from. Birch faced ply is a beautiful material, and with it’s striped edging and clean, light appearance, it is great for achieving a Scandi look and feel. We ensure that all the ply we source is FSC certified.

Birch faced plyUses: furniture, shelving, bespoke feature elements, door and drawer fronts, cutlery trays

Photos (top to bottom)• The doors of this storage wall

we designed and installed feature circular cut-outs of varying depths to add texture.

• Feature open shelving in birch faced ply are a nice addition to a kitchen. We often integrate flush LED lighting for our clients, making them hugely functional over a worktop.

• Birch faced ply wine rack, handmade in our workshop.

Bamboo looks great as a worktop or shelving, and the layered edging of the exposed end grain is a lovely feature. Whilst not strictly a timber, it can be worked like one and requires similar care and maintenance to a timber worktop. Bamboo is the fastest growing, self-propagating crop in the world, which replenishes itself fully within three years. Although the material needs to travel to the UK, being shipped by container has a lower carbon footprint than air miles. It is worth noting that bamboo releases 30% more oxygen into the atmosphere compared to other plants.

BambooUses: worktops, upstands, shelving, furniture, cutlery trays

Photos (top to bottom)• A Sheffield Sustainable

Kitchen with bamboo worktop.• A bespoke bamboo cutlery

drawer with knife holder is a lovely addition to a kitchen.

• The layers of bamboo add visual interest and texture.

Bamboo also absorbs more carbon dioxide than other plants. It can be sanded back to remove scratches and minimal wear to surface. It may not be able to be recycled as a worktop again, but can always be reused as chip board or upcycled into other timber objects. If you choose this as a worktop in your sink area, it will need regular maintenance to ensure the timber does not go mouldy when exposed to water for prolonged periods of time.

Made to order in Birmingham by a sustainable company, Foresso is a material that combines wood offcuts with a bio-based resin, and a FSC birch-ply centre. All Foresso sheets have a minimum of 65% wood content. The timber is sourced from trees felled as part of city development and maintenance. At the end of its life, the material can be recycled by the manufacturer.Hard wearing and beautiful, Foresso is a great option for worktops, shelving and cabinets. It can be colour matched to any RAL colour, so the possibilities for your new living space are endless!

Foresso: recycled woodUses: worktops, upstands, shelving, decorative panels, flooring

Photos (top to bottom)• Kitchen with an azure blue

Foresso splashback and worktop.

• The material adds great visual interest in a kitchen.

• Foresso can also be used for flooring.

HIGH

RECYCLED CONTENT

Richlite is a fabulous recycled paper solid surface, made by stacking resin-soaked sheets of recycled paper, which are then pressurised under heat, to create a solid material. The material can be worked like wood and crafted into bespoke work surfaces, doors, decorative panels, or shelving to create a beautiful finish throughout your space.

Richlite: recycled paperUses: worktops, upstands, shelving, decorative panels, cabinet doors, drawer fronts

Photos (top to bottom)• This Sheffield Sustainable

Kitchen features recycled paper on the central kitchen island.

• Deep burgundy worktop with an undermount stainless steel sink.

• As a solid surface, we can cut integrated drainer grooves into the material for a more seamless kitchen design.

The material is hard-wearing and durable and develops a unique patina over time. As a surface, Richlite is naturally anti-microbial and is heat resistant to 350°F (176°C). It is currently available in a number of earthy tones - its colour comes from a combination of the colour of the paper and the deep amber tone of the resin. No dyes are added to the material, and all of the paper is either post consumer waste recycled or sustainably harvested FSC Certified paper. Richlite has been awarded a number of certificates of sustainability and is a great eco-friendly option for a kitchen worktop or bathroom surface.

BEST FOR

RECYCLED CONTENT

Many clients choose recycled glass for their kitchen worktop as it is very tough, scratch and heat resistant as well as a stunning choice. It can also be produced in any colour at all, although the standard colour range is a more cost-effective option. It is great as a splashback as well and contrasts beautifully with a wooden worktop.

Recycled glassUses: worktops, upstands, splashbacks

Photos (top to bottom)• Recycled glass is perfect

for around the sink area in this kitchen we designed in Manchester.

• The material is clean and understated in this Sheffield Sustainable Kitchen design.

• Set in white resin, this recycled glass worktop has blue transparent flecks that glitter in the light.

The material is manufactured solely within the UK, thus reducing travel miles and minimising its carbon footprint. The surface consists of 85% recycled glass, sourced from waste glass within the UK, which is crushed and pressed in solvent-free resins. The final product is a surface that reflects light, and looks striking in any space. The material can be recycled post-use by the manufacturer.

BEST FOR

SUSTAINABILITY

Altrock is a solid surface material made with 87% recycled and reclaimed marble from the natural stone industries. The material is handmade in the UK and combines marble chips, chunks of offcuts and broken pieces of marble slab to create a beautiful, contemporary take on terrazzo.

Altrock: recycled marbleUses: worktops, upstands, splashbacks

Photos (top to bottom)• Altrock surface of grey marble

set in white resin.• Marble offcuts and recycled

pieces are broken down into smaller pieces to be used in the work surface.

• White marble with black resin - perfect for an elegant and understated kitchen.

Altrock is available in a range of colours and is the perfect material for kitchen worktops, dining tables and bathroom surfaces. It is stain and water resistant and is one of the worktop options that is easier to maintain. However, spills of acidic substances, such as lemon juice, should be cleaned up immediately.

BEST FOR

RECYCLED CONTENT

Mistral worktops are a solid surface material, made of crushed stone set in resin, so have the appearance of a stone surface, but with different properties. Unlike most other worktop materials, Mistral can be sanded, which means it can be refinished to remove general wear and tear marks. It is antibacterial, non-porous, strong and durable, so it is a great option for a kitchen worktop. However, it is still advisable to wipe up spills immediately, as well as not to tarnish the surface.

Mistral: acrylic stone compositeUses: worktops, upstands, splashback

Photos (top to bottom)• This Sheffield Sustainable

Kitchen combines Mistral worktops with a solid oak kitchen island worktop.

• Mistral comes in a range of neutral colours, with some options having larger pieces of crushed up stones for added visual effect.

• Integrated drainer grooves around the sink area allow for a more seamless kitchen design.

Mistral can be used with undermount sinks as well as inset ones, and have drainer grooves cut into it. It can be jointed seamlessly, so wastage is minimised. Mistral can be re-used and recycled. This material comes in a range of neutral colours, in keeping with the natural shades of the crushed stones. Mistral is a popular choice for mid-level budgets and it is manufactured in China, from locally sourced raw materials.

Duropal is a high pressure laminate worktop, based around a PEFC-certified core. The core is made from 100% recycled woodchip, so a sustainable choice. The melamine resin makes the outer surface highly resistant to staining and scratching, so it is great worktop choice for your kitchen. It is also easy to clean and maintain. The surface is resistant to dirt, coffee, tea and wine stains.

Duropal laminateUses: worktops, upstands

Photos (top to bottom)• This Sheffield Sustainable

Kitchen has high pressure laminate throughout.

• This Scandi-style kitchen we designed combines Duropal on the main workspaces with solid beech as a feature worktop.

• Duropal offers excellent durability.

All Duropal worktops come with a unique seal designed to ensure a lifetime of protection against moisture and steam - something that is important to us at Sheffield Sustainable Kitchens. The wide range of decor options allows you flexibility for your kitchen design - whether it’s a warm wood colour you’re looking for, or an industrial concrete-grey, there are numerous options to consider. Manufactured in Germany, using raw materials sourced in Germany and Austria and their biomass energy plant, Duropal has a 25 year guarantee.

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SUSTAINABILITY

A solid recycled plastic surface, Durat, is manufactured in Finland from 30-50% recycled post industrial plastics set in resin. This material is 100% recyclable, so it can be turned into new plastic products in the future. It comes in over 300 colours, with seven different textural finishes, so the possibilities really are limitless for your new living space. Its qualities make it great for kitchen worktops, splashbacks or bathroom surfaces.

Durat: recycled plasticUses: worktops, upstands, shelving, splashbacks, decorative panels, bath panels

Photos (top to bottom)• A Sheffield Sustainable

Kitchen with recycled plastic worktops, upstands, window sill and splashback.

• We cut drainer grooves in this recycled plastic worktop around the sink area.

• The material is available in over 300 colours.

Production is done by using 100% renewable energy and the manufacturer boasts a 15 year warranty. It’s useful to know that cosmetic scratches can be easily repaired by professional sanding. It is hard wearing, food safe and easy to maintain.

EASY UPKEEP

LOW MAINTENANCE

Valchromat is a wood fibre panel, where fibres are coloured individually by organic dyes and set in a special resin. Moisture resistant and non-toxic, Valchromat is a little like a high-end MDF. It can be used well as panels or as cabinet doors, adding a splash of colour to your kitchen designs. Manufactured in Portugal, the production of the material is aimed at reducing environmental impact. For example, where possible, waste is re-used to fuel the steam boiler.

ValchromatUses: upstands, shelving, bespoke feature elements, door and drawer fronts, cutlery trays

Photos (top to bottom)• Kitchen created in Valchromat• Fitted storage wall.• The material is available in a

wide range of colours.

The Valchromat production plant generates enough biomass to sustain its thermal energy requirements, without burning any fossil fuels. Only organic dyes are used in the colouring process.

Stainless steel has become an increasingly popular product in kitchen design because of its durability and life span. The material is a great choice for worktops and splashbacks, as it is rust-resistant and provides heat-resistant properties. It scratches with use, which is not repairable, but it is incredibly tough. For the purposes of our kitchen worktops, the steel is bonded to a solid 18mm moisture resistant MDF core. All external adhesives as sealants are VOC free.

Stainless steelUses: worktops, upstands

Photos (top to bottom)• We combined bamboo with

stainless steel worktops in this kitchen we designed.

• Stainless steel can add an industrial feel to a kitchen design

EASY UPKEEP

LOW MAINTENANCE

Composite quartz is a resin-bound mixture of natural quartz mineral combined with glass or metallic flecks and pigments, and as a manufactured material, it generally has a uniform appearance. It comes in a range of colours and has the look of marble or granite but without the questionable ethics around the supply chains. Quartz also comes with the added benefits of being higher scratch and stain resistant than natural stone. The material is hard, non-porous and an ideal surface for a kitchen worktop.

QuartzUses: worktops, upstands, splashbacks

Photos (top to bottom)• A Sheffield Sustainable

Kitchen with a quartz worktop.• As a solid surface, quartz

allows us to cut integrated drainer grooves to create a seamless look.

• We built a pop-up socket into this quartz worktop, adding functionality to a highly durable work surface.

For cleaning in the simplest form, use water and lightly polish with a cloth. For regular cleaning we recommend the use of a pH neutral cleaner specially designed for stone worktops. Composite quartz is non-porous but during the manufacturing process when the quartz is being polished, pores are formed on the surface which can fill with particles of dirt. If these pores are protected with a stain-proof finish, liquids are repelled instead of being drawn into the material, meaning cleaning and maintenance becomes far easier. Tea (with white-based quartz in particular) can appear to stain, sticking to the surface if it’s not wiped clean soon after a spill.

HI

GHLY DURABLE

EASY UPKEEP

Material ResearchOur team at Sheffield Sustainable Kitchens has researched these materials thoroughly, to ensure the range we offer is at the forefront of sustainability within the kitchens and bathrooms market. We are confident that we are bringing you the strongest selection of sustainable materials currently available in the UK for your new living space.

All the materials in this guide come with varying types of eco credentials. Sustainability is complicated. No single material is perfect, as there are many nuanced aspects of sustainability to consider. For the purpose of our gradings below, we have taken into consideration the manufacturing process, the content which it is made up of, the transportation miles, the expected lifespan of the material, and whether it can be recycled post-use.

Material ComparisonThe following table is based on our rigorous research of each product, as well as our experience working with it. We are always looking for improvements in our materials, so customer feedback is welcome. The grades shown in this table are relative, rather than absolute.

Material

Reclaimed timber: lab bench worktop 4 2 5 5 3Locally sourced timber 3 2 - 5 3-4

FSC/PEFC hardwood timber worktop 3 2 - 3 2-3Birch faced ply 4 3 - 3 2

Bamboo 3 2 - 3 3Foresso: recycled wood 3 3 4 4 4Richlite: recycled paper 4 4 5 4 4

Recycled glass 5 5 5 5 5Altrock: recycled marble 4 5 5 4 5

Mistral: acrylic stone composite 4 4 1 2 3Duropal: high pressure laminate 4 5 5 5 1

Durat: recycled plastic 4 4 3 4 5Valchromat: wood fibre panel 4 4 1 4 4

Stainless steel 4 5 1 2 4Quartz 5 5 1 2 3-4

Key

Durability 5 = excellent, but not perfect

Upkeep 5 = low maintenance, easy to care for

Recycled content 5 = excellent, but not perfect

Overall sustainability 5 = excellent, but not perfect

Price 5 = the highest price band

For more detailed information on the materials and their maintenance requirements, please see the manufacturer documents and website. It is important to us that the material works for you, not just functionally and aesthetically, but also for your lifestyle. Looking after your kitchen is key to its sustainability - a long lasting kitchen is a sustainable one.

Find maintenance guides for each material on our website:Reclaimed timber: lab bench worktopLocally sourced timberFSC/PEFC hardwood timber worktop BambooForesso: recycled woodRichlite: recycled paperRecycled glassAltrock: recycled marbleMistral: acrylic stone compositeDuropal: high pressure laminateDurat: recycled plastic Valchromat: wood fibre panelStainless steelQuartz

Care & Maintenance

Photography credits: Dug Wilders, Helena Dolby, David Leech, Maxwell Anderson, Nina Petchey, Foresso, Karonia

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Whether you are looking for further advice on materials, a whole new kitchen or bathroom, or just a partial refurbishment, please do get in touch.

0114 250 9078

info@ssk.uk.com

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