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

DISPOSAL: THEY CAN BE RECYCLED AGAIN, AND EVEN GET MATCHING SINKS, LIGHT FIXTURES, AND

HARDWARE.

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 PHENOLIC OIL 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 :