Cool, sustainable countertop materials and where to buy them
I became combing through my blog list over the weekend and shaking my head at all the hoo-hah being made approximately granite these days. I specify granite all the time and whatever reservations I actually have about it, they're now not based on bogus fitness claims. My only reservations about granite are a) it's pretty a great deal everywhere any more and b) comes out of the ground in a few less-than-ideal situations. So what's available this is unusual, resilient AND sustainable?
Well I came across a mention of Squak Mountain Stone on Apartment Therapy . Squak Mountain Stone is made by made by Tiger Mountain Innovations and is a counter top material that looks like a cross between limestone or soapstone and concrete. Squak Mountain Stone is a fibrous, cast material made from recycled glass, recycled paper, coal fly ash and concrete. Coal fly ash is what's left over after a power plant burns coal to make electricity. Squak Mountain Stone is an interesting alternative to other, non-sustainable counter top materials. Unlike the rest of its competitors, it's possible to buy this material and install it yourself in simpler applications. It's an interesting idea and the resulting counters look great!
The company behind Squak Mountain Stone also has a product called Trinity Glass , an alternative to quartz counters that's made with 75% recycled glass. Trinity Glass brings a whole different aesthetic to the table from its companion product, Squak Mountain Stone. Just as is the case with Squak Mountain, Trinity Glass is available with a do-it-yourself-er in mind.
Both of these products, and a slew of other sustainable building materials are available at Indigo , a green building products vendor in Gainesville. It's a bit of a haul, but worth the drive. Their website is extensive and you can buy samples and supplies through it.
Wanna understand what is new in counter top land? You're looking at it.