Recycled glass countertops...

[Alleged User]

I'd love to do something eco-friendly for our countertop. Anyone have any experience with recycled glass? Love the look, but it doesn't seem readily available at chain stores. I'd like to check it out in person and deal with a local store rather than special order it online.

[prohandyman]

Be prepared to pay. It is usually around $90-100 per square foot.

[caseydog]

It is beautiful stuff, and very unique. But, it will probably be heavy, in addition to being pricey.

CD

[dreadcptflint]

I had to take a look about using recycled glass. I found a good primer at http://www.myhomeideas.com/specials/kitchens/eco-friendly-kitchen-counters-10000001703960/. It reminds me of the terrazo floors that I deal with at work and that is beautiful stuff however you have to pay attention to the cleaning instructions.

If I was really all that intested in a green solution the I would use some bamboo or recycle materials from an old diner.

[Alleged User]

Yes, caseydog and prohandyman, I had actually thought that the weight factor might be an issue, since my TV is a Subaru Forester, and I will have wood paneling in the cabin and in the galley. It is also not cheap, so probably not the smartest choice from those standpoints.

Dreadcptflint, I love bamboo, but with all the paneling and cabinetry, I'd like to break up the wood look a bit. Not sure stainless would look right with the woodsy, cabinish feel we're after, although it will be skinned in aluminum.

There's always laminate, I suppose, but I will mull it over some more. My brother, who is 450 miles north of me, is building my TD for me, and I hate to ask him to go out of his way to find me old diner pieces.

[prohandyman]

If you are considering laminate, look into some of the new Formica choices - they have just about everything imaginable, and even some you may not have imagined. Even a Deco metal in many colors and textures.

[allisb48]

Interested in ECO from Silestone? It's made of post consumer product. Take a look it might be something the same and I know you could get at the box stores. We have it in stock in our coutertop shop and we sell to the box stores.

http://www.ecobycosentino.com/index.cfm

[Ageless]

Several years ago, I read of an outfit in the NE that used recycled glass mixed with with recycled plastic bottles. Basic use was for garden stepping stones but imagine a larger piece could be done

[caseydog]

Keep in mind when shopping for "eco-friendly" materials, that where they are made is as important as what they are made of. A recycled glass or plastic material loses it's carbon footprint advantage if it has to travel from New York to California on a truck burning diesel.

CD

[allisb48]

Remember that ECO is a nation wide product and the shipping would be from manufature to point of sale. Product would not be shipped from NY to Cal. It would be shipped from supply to A Cal manufacture and processed there.