Rock Solid: The Pros and Cons of Stone

Enlarge Image Image Gallery Stone Forest's Bathtub 72, shown in blue-gray granite, can be made to order in a variety of colors. Photo Courtesy of Stone Forest

Long valued for its strength and longevity, stone is a beautiful natural resource. But with stone countertops, floor tiles, sink basins and even walls surging in popularity, it’s important to consider just how eco-friendly this natural material really is.

Recent technology makes acquiring stone less stressful on the earth and more readily available across the nation. In the past, only a few places in the country could fabricate certain types of stone, which meant raw stone was shipped from the quarry to a fabricator, then shipped again to retailers. Today, most stone is locally fabricated, which means raw stone is sent directly to retail locations, where it is cut and sold to local consumers. Because shipping stone requires so much energy, make sure any stone you buy is fabricated locally.

“There is now technology available on the local level to fabricate hard stone,” says Chuck Muehlbauer, technical director for the Marble Institute of America. “Years ago, if you wanted granite countertops, there were only a few places in the country that could do it.”

Unlike carpet or synthetics, stone doesn’t collect allergens or offgas volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and it requires no harsh cleansers. Though most stone products for residential applications require a sealant, you can choose water-based, nontoxic options. 

Rock is certainly natural, but are granite countertops and limestone tub surrounds as green as they seem? Before choosing stone, factor the environmental costs and the potential assets. If you make careful choices, you can have eco-friendly stone that will last for decades.

Measure the environmental cost

Stone is almost always quarried, meaning it’s cut in large slabs from the earth. Although quarrying usually produces less waste rock than metal mining does, the process permanently alters the landscape and changes the ecosystem. Quarried areas can negatively affect rain runoff, soil composition and slope, possibly even causing landslides, toppled trees or flooding. Dust from quarrying pollutes surrounding water, soil and air, and the population nearby may have to deal with noise pollution.

Quarry workers can be exposed to hazards such as poor air quality, especially in countries where labor standards are inadequate. To reduce dust inhalation, fabricators—and homeowners cutting stone tiles—need to wear appropriate safety gear, including goggles, hearing protection and a dust mask.

Heavy stone is energy-intensive to transport. Very little stone is quarried in the United States; finding locally quarried stone near you greatly improves its environmental profile. But in general, transporting rock from the quarry to your home requires vast amounts of energy. Although travertine, for example, may be a luxurious choice, the environmental (as well as the pocketbook) price is often high.

Weigh the eco-assets

Stone has no odor and doesn’t offgas VOCs, although sealants or adhesives are often necessary during installation. Request that your contractor use low-VOC adhesives and sealants or use an application that requires neither, such as setting floor tiles in Portland cement. Unlike wood or drywall, most stone surfaces won’t need refinishing; dusting, sealing or simply cleaning is all that is needed.