Consider These Sustainable Alternatives to Marble

They'll last much longer, and are kinder to the environment too.

Boldly patterned, brightly colored marble is having a moment: Statement slabs featuring rich veining and striking swirls are showing up on countertops and islands, backsplashes and bathrooms.

However, as beautiful as marble is—whether in a minimalistic design or as a "wow" showpiece—the classic material isn't without downsides. For instance, because marble is so porous, it needs to be resealed regularly. Plus, not all marble can be installed outdoors, since it stains easily. And perhaps most important, marble is a nonrenewable resource with an energy-intensive manufacturing process.

"If a client really wants the look of white marble in the kitchen, but they entertain a lot or are red-wine drinkers, it's my job to introduce them to a more appropriate choice," says Chris Jovanelly, lead interior designer at Est Est Interior Design, an award-winning luxury design firm in Scottsdale, Arizona. "In cases like theirs, white marble would stain or get dull, as well as require a lot of care. And who wants to tiptoe around their kitchen island?"

And despite common assumptions about the high expense of sustainable marble alternatives, Jovanelly says you'll end up saving money on them in the long run, thanks to a longer lifespan, added durability, and fewer maintenance requirements. That's why so many designers and homeowners are turning to these eco-friendly options to get the look they're after.

One popular choice is quartz, an engineered stone often made up of by-products from quarrying or manufacturing processes. Because it's nonporous, it's resistant to stains and won't hold bacteria, so there's no need for cleaning with harsh chemicals. But while it can last decades, it's vulnerable to heat damage—which can be a problem for a kitchen counter.

Another choice is porcelain, "the most environmentally friendly marble alternative, partly because it's made from recycled materials," Jovanelly says, noting that the lifespan of this material is also extremely long compared with marble's.

It's more durable too. "Porcelain requires the least upkeep. Marble needs sealing, which leaves behind a strong chemical smell in your home," Jovanelly says. "Porcelain tile is like a photograph of a beautiful marble slab, offering the look without the maintenance." However, porcelain won't give you the beautiful striations marble is known and treasured for.

And then there's a marble-esque product that precisely captures the look of sleek Italian stone: Dekton by Cosentino. "There is no surfacing material I can think of that is more versatile," says Jovanelly. "It can be submerged in water in a swimming pool, but it can also be used as bathroom flooring, in outdoor paneling and walkways, and on countertops and backsplashes. Dekton is my number-one specification in every outdoor kitchen I work on, and I use it in almost every single one of my projects."

And the aesthetic aspects are even more appealing. "I love the authentic look," says Jovanelly. "The collection has a beautiful palette that mimics natural stone wonderfully."

Dekton's newest collection, Pietra Kode, was designed by architect Daniel Germani to reimagine classic Italian stone types, and comes in three varieties: Vicenza Kode, Travertino Kode, and Ceppo Kode. "Vicenza is beautiful, versatile, and applicable to many different design styles," says Jovanelly. "Travertino looks authentic but is much more durable than actual travertine. And Ceppo has a versatile gray color— quite on trend for contemporary design."

What's more, Cosentino offsets 100 percent of Dekton's carbon emissions over the life cycle of the product, making it the only "cradle to grave" carbon-neutral surface on the market. "A huge part of sustainability is how long the material is going to last, as well as how durable it is," says Jovanelly. "Marble can chip and crack, and you have to replace it. But it's more difficult to do that to Dekton, due to the hardness and density."

"All four Vicenza Kode hues are perfect neutral tones," Jovanelly says. "Each color pairs effortlessly with the next, which allows for a great deal of creativity in mixing them."

The look of travertine, which the designer says is making a comeback in a big way these days, is beautifully represented by Travertino Kode. Jovanelly is particularly fond of the classically consistent tonal variations in the Sabbia variety: "It makes amazing kitchen countertops, while eliminating the scratches, stains, and maintenance that plague natural travertine."

And if you're after a truly striking moment? "Ceppo Kode has an energetic and bold agglomerated visual that I love for interior and exterior wall cladding," Jovanelly says. "The large-scale pattern and contrasting tonal variations provide impact when juxtaposed with painted stucco and other solid color surfaces." By integrating any or all of these options in your home, you can incorporate durable design that won't compromise your aesthetic—and show the environment some kindness while you're at it.

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