Eco-chic Countertops

A recycled glass countertop is as much a work of art as a work surface.

Photography provided by Vetrazzo

Granite, marble and Corian, move over. There are new countertop options available that not only offer consumers exciting choices in terms of color, pattern, and finish, but are also durable and eco-friendly. One such option is recycled glass and concrete, created locally by CK Concrete Design. Each countertop features a unique glass mosaic pattern in the color palette of your choosing. As much a work of art as a work surface, a recycled glass and concrete countertop adds color, texture and dimension to any room and can be used in numerous applications, including bath, kitchen, and bar countertops, fireplace surrounds, and soon, as tabletops for steel bases made by another local artisan, John Beck. “These countertops are green in several ways,” explains Lori Deering, who co-owns CK Concrete Design with Chris Klipfel. “We buy the recycled glass online, already cleaned and sized, in the requested colors. Also, our concrete mix contains 25% of a cement replacement ingredient that is actually a by-product of the glass industry,” she adds. They try to source as many other materials as possible from local suppliers, and because the work is done locally, few resources are required to transport the finished countertops to their ultimate destinations.

In addition to being an eco-friendly choice, these colorful countertops offer unlimited options for customization. “You can specify your palette and design preferences, and the base cement can be color-matched to any Benjamin Moore® paint color,” says Deering. In one such custom creation, the Skybox Bar, a new watering hole on the Landing, provided empty glass bottles from Rolling Rock and Bud Select beers, and the result is an absolutely stunning and totally unique countertop. Deering is also quick to point out that the care and maintenance of recycled glass and concrete countertops is a breeze, with a simple resealing required every 3 to 5 years. Uniquely beautiful, durable and easy to maintain – what's not to love about that?

If you love the look of natural stone but want to select a solid surface that is healthy for both your family and the planet, Cambria quartz is an excellent option. Cambria is created from pure natural quartz, an extremely hard stone crystal mined directly from the earth. In fact, quartz is the hardest non-precious stone that can be found in the earth's surface. According to Ted Liebig, Sr., owner of Stone Trends, LLC, “Cambria is the only brand of quartz that is manufactured in the United States, and it has the highest GreenGuard certification for indoor air quality, which means it is suitable for use in schools and hospitals.” As a result, builders may obtain one LEED point for using Cambria in green residential and commercial buildings. “Cambria is nonporous, making it one of the most sanitary choices for kitchens and baths, and it can be used in multiple applications including countertops and shower walls,” adds Ryan Tate, director of sales at Stone Trends.

Ted Liebig points out other ways that Cambria is a great green alternative. “We fabricate locally and use recycled water in our processing – a major step in conserving natural resources.” The plant requires 110 gallons of water per minute, filtered to one micron, a process that would be less efficient if the company didn't recirculate the water.

Cambria is available in 42 colors, and all colors and patterns are offered at the same competitive price. “Since Cambria is manufactured in the U.S., the palette and pattern selections are really in sync with American preferences,” says Liebig. “The design options complement current trends in cabinetry, ensuring a beautiful match in color and tone.” Cambria is a clean, green and beautiful solid surface option.