green countertops

FOUR TYPES OF GREEN COUNTERTOPS

By: Natalie janik

RECYCLED GLASS COUNTERTOPS ARE MADE BY

USING 85%-100% RECYCLED GLASS MIXED

WITH A HARD COMPOUND LIKE CEMENT OR RESIN.

RECYCLED GLASS IS A ECO-FRIENDLY ALTERNATIVE TO

MARBLE, GRANITE, AND OTHER STONE.

RECYCLED GLASS COUNTERTOPS

http://greenbydesign.com/2008/09/10/recycled-glass-countertops/

COST: $70 PER SQUARE FOOT

PERFORMANCE: VERY DURABLE, LESS POROUS THAN MARBLE,

CAPABLE OF DEALING WITH HEAT

USE: RESIDENTIAL AND COMMERCIAL COUNTERTOPS

MANUFACTURING: DOESN’T USE ENERGY TO MELT AND SHAPE OLD

GLASS INTO NEW FORMS BUT RATHER USES THE DISCARDED GLASS AS

IS. THE MANUFACTURING OF RECYCLED GLASS COUNTERTOPS ADMITS

NO VOC’S.

MAINTENANCE: MINIMAL REGULAR CLEANING WITH NON-TOXIC

CLEANERS

LIFESPAN: 40+ YEARS

DISPOSAL: RECYCLED GLASS COUNTERTOPS CAN BE RECYCLED AFTER

USE.

RECYCLED GLASS COUNTERTOPS

- ICESTONE

-ENVIROGLASS- BIO GLASS- VETRAZZO

- ULTRA GLASS- GILASI

- URBANSLABS- ECO-X

RECYCLED GLASS COMPANIES

CONCRETE COUNTERTOPS ARE MADE WITH SAND, ROCK, AND CEMENT. CONCRETE IS THE ONLY MATERIAL THAT

ALLOWS YOU TO CUSTOMIZE JUST ABOUT EVERY ASPECT OF IT, INCLUDING COLOR, SHAPE, THICKNESS, AND TEXTURE.

CONCRETE COUNTERTOPS:

http://www.mojoconcrete.com/Images/contertops%20-%20kitchens/high_res/2226.html

COST: $65-$135 PER SQUARE FOOT

PERFORMANCE: VERY DURABLE, LONG LASTING, AND HEAT RESISTANCE

USE: RESIDENTIAL AND COMMERCIAL

MANUFACTURING: OVERALL, THE PRODCUTION OF CONCRETE HAS A HIGH

EMBODIED BILL, WHICH MAKES IT IMPORTANT TO LOOK AT COMPANIES WHO

USE LESS ENERGY, AND WHO USE WATER BASED SEALERS, AND OR FINISHES

WITH LOW OR NO VOC’S.

MAINTENANCE: CLEAN WITH NON-ABRASIVE, NON-AMMONIA SOAP FOR DAILY

CLEANING. CONCRETE COUNTERTOPS SHOULD ALSO BE RE-SEALED AS OFTEN AS

NEEDED. CONCRETE COUNTERTOPS SHOULD NOT BE CUT ON TO PREVENT

CRACKING IN THE SEALER.

LIFESPAN: ONCE ISTALLED AND CARED FOR WELL, YOU MAY NEVER NEED TO

INSTALL ANOTHER COUNTERTOP AGAIN.

DISPOSAL: INVOLVES BREAKING, REMOVING, AND CRUSHING CONCRETE, WHICH

THEN MAY BE REUSED AS AN AGGREGATE IN NEW PORTLAND CEMENT.

CONCRETE COUNTERTOPS

- TRUE FORM- MOJO CONCRETE

CONCRETE COUNTERTOP COMPANIES:

RECYCLED METAL COUNTERTOPS ARE MADE FROM 60%-70% POST CONSUMER PRODUCTS, INCLUDING RECYCLED ALUMINUM OR RECYCLED SOFT ALLOY ALUMINUM SCRAP

FLAKE FILLERS WITH A HONED OR CLASSIC FINISH.

RECYCLED METAL COUNTERTOPS

http://www.renewedmaterials.com/products/colors_specs.html#

COST:$100-$175 A SQUARE FOOT

PERFORMANCE: VERY DURABLE, STAINPROOF, HEAT

RESISTANT

USE: RESIDENTIAL AND COMMERCIAL, INDOOR USE ONLY

MANUFACTURING: THEY FINISH THE MANUFACTURING

PROCESS WITH REUSABLE ABRASIVES AND RECIRCULATED

WATER, SOME ARE EVEN FACTORY FINISHED REQUIRING NO

SEALING OR COATING.

MAINTENANCE: REQUIRE LOW MAINTENECE

RECYCLED METAL COUNTERTOPS

- ALKEMI

- ELEEK

RECYCLED METAL COUNTERTOPS COMPANIES:

RECYCLED PAPER COUNTERTOPS ARE MADE FROM EITHER 100%

POST-CONSUMER RECYCLED CARDBOARD OR 100% POST-CONSUMER RECYCLED PAPER

CONTENT AND A NON-PETROLEUM PHENOLIC RESIN DERIVED IN

PART FROM A NATURAL PHENOLICOIL IN THE SHELLS OF CASHEWS.

RECYCLED PAPER COUNTERTOPS

http://www.paperstoneproducts.com/ps_warranty.php

COST: $35 TO $90 A SQUARE FOOT (DEPENDS ON COMPANY)

PERFORMANCE: VERY DURABLE, STAIN RESISTANT, AND HEAT RESISTANT

USE: RESIDENTIAL AND COMMERCIAL

MANUFACTURING: FINISHED WITH A NATURAL WAXES (BEE AND CARNAUBA)

AND FOOD GRADE MINERAL.

MAINTENANCE: CLEAN WITH A NON-ABRASIVE CLEANER, IF SCRATCHES

OCCUR, THE SURFACE CAN BE SANDED DOWN AND RE-STAINED

LIFESPAN: LONG LIFESPAN, DUE TO THE TOUCH FIBERS, THAT WILL

NOT CAUSE THE MATERIAL TO BREAK OR BEND.

RECYLED PAPER COUNTERTOPS

- PAPERSTONE- SHETKASTONE

- RICHLITE- ECOTOP

RECYCLED PAPER COMPANIES:

- RECYCLED PORCELAIN COUNTERTOPS

- RECYCLED GLASS TILE COUNTERTOPS

- RECYCLED/RECLAIMED WOOD COUNTERTOPS

- RECYCLED CERAMIC TILE COUNTERTOPS

- LAMINATE COUNTERTOPS

- TERRAZZO COUNTERTOPS

- QUARTZ COUNTERTOPS

- CORIAN COUNTERTOPS

- RECYCLED PLASTIC COUNTERTOPS

- STAINLESS STEEL

- FIBER CEMENT BASED COUNTERTOPS

- ORIGIN COUNTERTOPS (MADE FROM PLASTIC BOTTLES)

OTHER GREEN COUNTERTOPS :