Green Talk™ » countertops

Vetrazzo: Green Countertops You’ll Love to Show Off

Green Talk — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 03:08:39 +0000

Kitchens reflect our personalities. They are the heart of the house. As much as you want the kitchen to be durable, you yearn for it to create a piazza that stops everyone in their tracks. And the crown jewel? Of course, the countertops. I compare countertops to a scrumptious topping of a delicious cake, beaconing you take that first bite.

With everyone going green these day can you have your cake and eat it too? Durability, glam and green all rolled up into one? The makers of Vertrazzo think so, with their selection of 19 different colored recycled glass counter-tops that are durable yet have an unmistakable glimmer that will light up any kitchen. Eighty five (85%) percent of the components of the countertops are composed of recycled glass, with a majority coming from post-consumer sources. The balance is a non-resin binder of Portland cement. No petroleum resins or additives are used.

According to the Company,

“the glass comes from curbside recycling programs. Other glass comes from windows, dinnerware, stemware, windshields, stained glass, laboratory glass, reclaimed glass from building demolition, traffic lights and other unusual sources. Every Vetrazzo surface has its own history. We track that history, and after you purchase and register Vetrazzo, we provide a Certificate of Transformation that tells you where the glass in your Vetrazzo came from.”

This product is not a new green invention. Vetrazzo countertops have been around since 1996; however the Company made only custom-made countertops. In 2007, Company started offering the countertops through distributors to the US and Canada.

Depending on your taste, Vetrazzo has a countertop suited just for you. If you are a traditionalist at heart and like warm, understated colors, Champagne Flint, is the countertop for you. It is made out of flint, which was used to make glasses prior to the use of crystal. Now, you can find flint in rhinestones and clear bottles.

Thinking you want that one of kind countertop that is deep and rich? Turn to Cobalt Skyy® with Patina, in which the countertop is made out of cobalt blue colored Skyy ® Vodka bottles. Talk about a statement. As noted above, each countertop has a history of where it has been before it graces your kitchen. Read here for more information.

The countertops are polished to a high gloss finish, but can be sandblasted by a fabricator to have more of satin look.

When I asked what makes the Company’s countertops different than its other competitors, Craig Murphy, the Company’s Marketing Coordinator, replied that they are the only one he knows of who makes their countertops with a recycled content as high as 85% as well as using larger pieces of glass to give it a distinctive appearance. In addition, the Company provides a ten year limited warranty as well as a recycling program at the end of its life. (End of life, means you are tired of it and want to remodel.)

When I think of glass, I immediately think white glove treatment. Murphy assured me that the countertops are comparable to granite in strength, scratch resistance, heat resistance, durability, and care and maintenance. In fact, according to Murphy, you can place a pot with temperature of 600 degrees Fahrenheit right on the countertop. For more information about Vetrazzo’s surface performance, see here.

I was also concerned with cracking since the countertop contains two different materials: glass and cement. Again, I was assured that Vetrazzo countertops do not crack over time. In fact, due to the countertop’s thickness, there is no need to install a plywood underlayment. All countertops are 1 1/4″ thick. See here for pictures of residential installations.

What about maintaining it? Murphy advised me, that a couple times a year, you should wax the countertop with a product like Goddard’s Marble Wax. Depending on the color, you will need to seal it every 1 to 2 years. Murphy further assured me that the sealing process is a breeze. Put the product on and wait 20 minutes, then wipe it up. It is as easy as wiping down your countertops. For more information about the care and maintenance of the countertops, read here.

Are Vetrazzo countertops just for residential use? Think again. Half of the Company’s business is generated by commercial clients especially those wishing to LEED certify their building. The use of a Vetrazzo’s countertop contribute to the recycled content credit and the regional material credit if your building is located within 500 miles of Richmond, California, where the countertops are made. (Vetrazzo is walking the talk in their manufacturing facility by using daylight, minimizing air pollution through the use of negative-pressure dust booth, and using a state of the art water recycling system. Curious? The Company offers public tours of their facilities.)

So, what are the biggest sellers for the Company? Charisma Blue and Alehouse Amber. I can definitely see why. Alehouse Amber was one my favorites too. It has a light Earthly feel to it. Just enough shimmer to make a statement but not bold enough to take over the room.

Thinking a gleaming Vetrazzo countertop may be in your future? See here to find a retailer in your area. Priced at $110-180 a square foot installed.

What does the furture hold for Vetrazzo? Murphy indicated that the Company will continue to expand their line of colors. So less waste in the landfills and more gleaming, beautiful countertops in the kitchen. Maybe one of your bottles could end up in someone’s kitchen! Drink to that.

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A Recycled Content Countertop That Looks like Granite

Green Talk — Wed, 29 Aug 2007 07:10:55 +0000

Photo from Environ Biocomposites’ website of a Product called Sunset

Just to give you a recap, ThisNext, a shopping network where people list their recommendations for products that they like, asked me to give them a top ten list. (See, “What’s Next in Green Internet Shopping?”) I provided them with a list of my favorite products that I used when I built my house. Number 2 on the list is the Environ biocomposite^® product line. (Remember, I listed the products in a rambling fashion, so the products are not ranked.)

Environ biocomposite^®products are made out of recycled newspapers, soy based resin, and color additives. According to their website, they offer 8 different colors, such as emerald, lapis, and vermillion. I chose a product called Sunset for my desk countertop. It looks just like brown granite. Why did I choose this product? I wanted a countertop that was eco-friendly and strong, but had the look of granite. According to the literature that I had, the Company touted their product was stronger than oak. The product, Sunset, compliments my cabinets that are a lighter shade of brown.

Environ biocomposite^® products can be routed just like wood so you can create a countertop edge on the product. I would recommend sealing your countertop with a water based product. My countertop looks great even after two years of abuse by me. Just as a side note, you can not use this product for a kitchen or bathroom countertop.

Also, Environ makes a product called Dakota Burl^®, which mimics the look of a burled wood. ”The material is created from an agricultural fiber, sunflower hulls, making this a beautiful environmental option to hardwood,” according to the information on Environ Biocomposite’s website. It can be stained or left in its natural state.

Although this article is about countertops, just as a side note, Environ also produces a product called BIOFIBER™ Wheat, which is made out of wheatstraw. This product can be used as an alternative to traditional hardwood and paneling.

My kitchen cabinets are made out of wheatstraw particleboard; however, I used a product made by Dow called Woodstalk. Dow is no longer distributing this product much to my dismay. My cabinets have held up beautifully, and they are almost three years old.

If you are interested in any of Environ Biocomposite’s products, their website contains very little information about any of their products. When I was interested in one of the Biocomposite products, I called their sales department and they sent me a sample of the product that I liked.

It is also a good idea to find out who distributes their products. When I bought the product, Sunset, I had to buy it directly from the Company, since no one in my area carried it. The shipping costs and upcharges for not ordering their minimum amount still made it cheaper than buying granite. The added benefit is I now have this beautiful eco-friendly countertop that people still believe is granite!

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