Chicago kitchen remodelers aiming to design more sustainable kitchens are in luck as increasing numbers of manufacturers refine their production process. We recently posted an article on one such product – PaperStone countertops, which use a combination of recycled paper fibers and a non-petroleum resin.
Today, we we’re shining the spotlight on another strong contender for eco-friendly countertops: IceStone. In addition to being a sustainable countertop option, its mid-range price point makes IceStone an appealing contender for budget-conscious homeowners.
IceStone Countertops Combine Recycled Glass and Sustainable Beauty
The IceStone website states, “we created IceStone recycled glass surfaces with the health of our employees, our customers, and the planet in mind.” To that end, they:
Make their products in the USA
One of the most eco-friendly choices you can make has nothing to do with toxic or not components (although that’s important too) but, rather, where the products are manufactured. Often the carbon emissions required to ship materials around the globe do more harm than a little bit of off-gassing.
Like Cambria quartz countertops, IceStone countertops are made in the USA (a navy yard in Brooklyn, to be specific), notably minimizing fossil fuel resources.
Use 75% post-consumer recycled glass by weight
It’s a win-win for all anytime we can repurpose potential landfill waste into something beautiful. IceStone’s counters are 75% post-consumer glass by weight. As a result the company has saved more than 16 million pounds of glass from going into landfills – and that number increases with every countertop they make and sell.
Created toxic-free resin that is still scratch- and UV resistant
The resin that binds materials together is often the most toxic component in the mix. That’s why IceStone’s designers went the extra mile to formulate a binding agent using Portland Cement and non-toxic pigments. It’s completely free of plastics and petrochemical resins.
The result is a touch, scratch- and UV resistant surface that won’t off gas into your home and food products, also making it a lower-maintenance option – easy to clean as long as you use non-astringent and non-abrasive cleansers.
Take good care of their employees
This is important to us because as a small, family owned Chicago kitchen design firm, we value our employees, too. IceStone is registered as a B Corp, meaning they, “continually improve the growth and development of our triple bottom line mission of People, Planet, and Profit. Employees own 10% of the company and have an active voice in the operation and direction of the company.”
As a business that strives to take care of our own employees, we love supporting companies that share similar values and ethics.
Offer a wide range of colors – vivid ones, too!
Finally, the use of recycled glass means you can have countertops that are as demure as a slab of sandstone, or are vibrantly colored with blues, reds and other fun, glass is made. Take a peek in the IceStone gallery to see the array of options – and notice how customizable the layouts are – including rounded and sweeping edge options.
Is There a Con to IceStone Countertops?
Because IceStone is made using concrete, it is slightly porous and does need to be sealed on an annual basis (ideally) to protect it from etching and staining. However, this is the same type of maintenance required by natural stone countertops, especially marble. Thus, IceStone may be the best alternative for homeowners who don’t mind an annual mainteanance task and want a LEED-certification worthy kitchen remodel.
Would you like to learn more about IceStone and other eco-friendly countertop options? Visit us here at Kitchens and Baths Unlimited. We’ll help you weigh the pros and cons of each so you select the best countertop product for your upcoming Chicago kitchen remodel.
Photo credit: Houzz - IceStone
