Are you redoing your kitchen countertops or a center island? Now you have a new, high end option that rivals granite and marble in beauty and durability. Recycled glass bound in a cement matrix offers unrivaled versatility. Select a crystal flecked material that catches the light for understated elegance. Or, choose an artistic mix of colored glass made from crushed bottles and porcelain – even old traffic light lenses.

Installation and Care

Recycled glass kitchen countertops are installed in the same way as marble and granite. In other words – a professional needs to be involved. The only exception is if you purchase recycled glass tiles. These tiny tiles are often used as decorative accents in ceramic tile countertops.

Most recycled glass slabs must be sealed regularly. However, they don’t require quite as much maintenance as marble. The sealant may not be heat resistant, so don’t place hot pans directly on the countertop. The glass can be wiped down with a damp cloth or cleaned with a gentle detergent.

Eco-Friendly Benefits

Unlike stone kitchen countertops, this material isn’t quarried from the ground. This means production requires less energy and doesn’t tend to degrade the environment. Recycled glass makes up 75-85% of the finished product. Some manufacturers use renewable, corn-based substances for the resin binding mix. Brands such as IceStone and ECO by Cosentino have achieved varying levels of eco-friendly recognition with “cradle to cradle” certification.

Related posts:

1. Kitchen Laminate Countertops
2. Inexpensive Countertops
3. Glass Tiles
4. Making concrete countertops
5. Stained Glass To Add Color

Tags: countertops, kitchen

This entry was posted on Friday, October 23rd, 2009 at 9:30 am and is filed under Kitchens. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.