Alex Vega
Associated Press

In any home remodeling project, the kitchen typically gets more than its share of attention - and budget - even more so when it comes to an environmentally-friendly overhaul.

From countertops, to cabinetry and electricity chugging appliances, options to reduce the carbon imprint of your kitchen abound.

Before diving into a full-home green renovation, however, experts suggest leaving the kitchen for last.

For one, sealing windows, upgrading the home heating system and insulation can have more of an impact on energy efficiency than anything done in the kitchen.

Another reason: money.

On a square-foot basis, kitchen remodels can easily end up eating much of the renovation budget because homeowners often focus on the kitchen too much and overspend, says Sid Davis, author of “Your Eco-Friendly Home: Buying, Building or Remodeling GREEN.”

“Most people tackle the kitchen first because it’s an emotional thing,” Davis says. “Going strictly from an environmental standpoint, it should be lower on the list.”

Every remodeling project is unique, but experts say, in general, it’s a good idea to begin the kitchen makeover by tackling the cabinets first, then countertops, then the flooring and appliances.

When it comes to cabinetry, choose wood that is certified by the Forest Stewardship Council, which means it comes from a well-managed forest, or other materials, like bamboo, which are considered environmentally sustainable.

“What you really want to avoid is any type of processed wood that is laid with formaldehyde,” says Los Angeles-based interior designer Alison Shoemaker.

Other alternatives for processed wood are wheat board fiber, a material made from wheat straw, and Kirei board, which is made from the stalks of the sorghum plant, and has a distinct, knotty look.

Try to go with materials produced locally to reduce transportation costs.

If you’re replacing the existing countertops, experts recommend installing a solid surface material rather than tile that requires grout, which is harder to clean.

One example is CaesarStone, which is made of quartz and recycled materials. It’s also nonporous, which helps stave off bacteria, Shoemaker says.

Experts differ on whether granite is truly a green alternative because of the energy and resources consumed in extracting it from the ground and in transporting it to its final destination.

Kitchens offer a wider variety of flooring options than perhaps any other room in a house.

Experts suggest going instead with tile, linoleum, laminate or sustainable woods such as bamboo. Cork is an increasingly popular alternative.

If the kitchen is on a slab, consider stripping the floor down to the concrete. While chefs may find the floor less forgiving on their legs and dropped dishes, experts say it’s better for the environment.

Concrete floors can be finished using an acid stain, he says.

When it comes to appliances, Energy Star-rated models are must in any green-conscious kitchen remodel. Replace any that are older than 10 years old.

Experts recommend using a dishwasher, because most people waste more water by hand-washing dishes.

Don’t forget to include a vented range hood to help move air over the stove out of the house. Merely recycling the air through a filter or pushing it to the garage or the attic won’t do, Davis says.

“Somewhere along the line when you remodel your kitchen you’ve got to put that at the very top (of the list),” Davis says.

As in other rooms, the kitchen should be painted with paints that have zero or low levels of volatile organic compounds, or VOCs.

Because of the moisture in kitchens, mold can be an issue. For remodels that involve tearing down walls and adding new ones, Lee recommends going with mold-resistant, paper-free drywall.

Make changes that bring in as much natural light as possible, and replace incandescent light bulbs with compact fluorescent or LEDs.

How much a green kitchen remodel will cost depends greatly on the size of the kitchen and what types of materials you use, but if you’re planning to replace everything, expect the biggest variable cost factor will be the countertop and cabinets.