IceStone - Beautiful Eco-Friendly Countertops

If you are among the growing number of consumers who hope to leave a smaller environmental imprint on the earth – but still want a beautiful home – consider a product called IceStone for your countertops.

Source

IceStone is a unique surface made from up to 75 percent recycled glass (or even seashells) and cement that creates a reflective surface while showing off flecks of the polished glass. It offers many of the same qualities of granite and quartz in 29 colors, from neutral to bold, at about the same price. You have a wide range of styles, suitable for the beach house or a Greenwich Village condo, and whatever variation you choose won’t affect the price because every type of IceStone costs the same.

IceStone proclaims itself as one of most environmentally and socially “sustainable” countertop products on the market. That’s one of the reasons I like it. The company was founded in 2003 and produces all of its product in a warehouse in the Brooklyn Navy Yards. It is committed to hiring workers from the diverse local neighborhoods with starting pay for new employees that is 35 percent above the local living wage. Employees own 10 percent of the company and are guaranteed 5 percent of the profits. Its countertops are often used in “green” buildings and they are made without petrochemicals or resins. IceStone says it has prevented 13 million pounds of glass from entering the waste stream, and all the glass it uses is recycled – how awesome is that?!

The cost of an IceStone installation averages about $150 a foot, so it is a high-end option and not the least expensive environmentally friendly option available, which causes some remodelers to drop it from their list.

Source

Because they contain cement, IceStone countertops must be sealed, usually once a year, just as a marble or 100 percent cement countertop would be. Because not everyone is diligent in their sealing practices, some installers recommend IceStone only for bathrooms, although I love it for bars and laundry rooms, too. Without a proper seal, acids or harsh cleaners will stain the surface, so homeowners who prefer as little maintenance as possible will select quartz, wood or granite instead.

Are you ready to talk about countertops? Contact me at Cassandra@pulosdesign.com.