Environmentally Friendly Kitchen Countertops
With an ever growing dependency on construction material sustainability and protecting our environment, we are always looking for new and exciting products that represent this aspect of design and construction.
We have found a great new product, to us at least, that takes their environmental footprint seriously when it comes to producing countertops, flooring and surfaces.
This product is Icestone. A product made from 100% recycled glass and mixed with a concrete matrix to form a very durable surface that rivals granite and Marble for it's strength and durability.
It has a wide range of uses, most particularly as a countertop surface for kitchens, bathrooms, bar tops and commercial top surfaces in restaurants and businesses.
How much do Icestone Kitchen Countertops Cost?
Icestone is mid to upper levels in regards to price. You can expect to spend anywhere from $100/sf to the upper end nearing $175/sf. Well worth the price form an earth friendly perspective.
One great distributor to look at is www.Belterrastone.com A very helpful distributor from Colorado who also services the Wyoming region. Check them out if you live in these areas.
Color & Design Opportunities with Icestone
Icestone is available in 20 different finishes and is shipped in slabs, sealed and then polished to a high gloss finish. It is recommended that you use Bull nose, pencil, planter or eased edging for your countertops. Icestone slabs do have a Terrazzo style to them allowing for great light reflection and gleam.
Durability of Icestone Countertops
In regards to durability, Icestone is considered as durable as granite and twice as durable as Marble. Icestone surfaces do need to be re-sealed and waxed periodically to protect them. Icestone.biz, the manufacturer, recommends re-sealing every 4-5 years for residential surfaces and yearly for commercial applications. As with all stone surfaces, be wary of stains and spills to help prolong the life of your surface.
Construction & Installation of Icestone Countertops
Icestone is manufactured in slabs and formed with standard stone cutting equipment. Icestone requires professional fabrication and installation.
We feel it always best to always seek professional installation for Icestone countertops. Receive our Free Icestone Countertop installation quote
Icestone can also be used as flooring and has passed the American Disabilities Act (ADA) guidelines for slip resistance. It is manufactured in slabs and does need to be cut into tiles for practical purposes though.
Icestone Countertops, the Environment & Your Health
It is extremely environmentally friendly as it uses 100% recycled glass. Icestone is VOC-free and "Cradle to Cradle" Gold certified and can be used towards LEED points (The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System). Icestone recommends several environmentally conscious sealants, waxes and cleaners to protect your surfaces and discourages the use of ammonia's or bleach based cleaners which can affect the life of the product and the environment.
thesexykitchen opinion
With its minimal environmental footprint, diversity of designs and multitude of applications, Icestone definitely gets a very Sexy rating. Glossy and slick, this product will wow the toughest design critics and melt the hearts of the environmentally conscious as well. Great Job by Icestone to think so highly of the planet while keeping our kitchens and bathrooms sexy.
The Martini Factor
As far as glassware goes, Icestone countertops are pretty unfriendly. Spills and stains need to be dealt with immediately to prevent long term staining but the use of proper environmentally friendly sealers and maintenance will help.
Learn more about environmentally friendly kitchen countertops
