Q&A. Kitchen Counter Redux.
by TreeHugger on 11.29.04
Q. Hoping you can help. What I am looking to do is take my old laminate kitchen counters… paint them maybe glitter them… then cover them in a clear coat resin or epoxy. So I am looking for an eco-friendly food safe resin or epoxy that is clear and can preferably be poured. Hope you can at least point me in a good direction, Robert.
A. Mmmm, Robert. a tough one for our first Treehugger Q&A. At this point, still seeking the perfect solution but here's what's turned up so far.
1. EnviroGLAS Terrazzo is made with 100% post consumer recycled glass, bonded with a pigmented epoxy resin. Can be used for benchtops. But is also suited to vanities, tables and commercial flooring. The glass used comes from bottles, plate glass, mirrors and car windshields. While we are not really a fan of epoxy, the manufacturers report that their resin emits no harmful Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs). And they reckon it will be around for about 40 years or the life the building. There were other contenders but none that suggested they could be poured on-site. Countertop Installation is said to be around $85 - $125 /sq ft. Alas is not transparent.
2. If you live near to the UK you could a try a remarkably similar material. Ttura by Eight Inch is 85% recycled glass, also bonded with a solvent free resin. Although they won't do a direct pour, you can send your specs and they'll make a mould to suit your kitchen. And you can design your own look, choosing glass and resin colours.
3. We looked at Bio-resins made from plant materials but none seemed to be of a durable, food grade quality, ready for countertop use. Just yet anyhow. (As an aside, there are some impressive soy bean resins being made in to plastics. Super strong, yet 25% lighter than steel, they say. John Deere is even making some agriculture harvesters out of them!)
4. There is, of course, the venerable old-timer Environ, which has an amazingly deceptive appearance – looks just like granite or marble, but can be cut with wood tools. But is really just mild mannnered recycled newspapers and soy resins. Brilliant material but they specifically don't recommend it for watery kitchen use. Darn.
4. EcoResin, which we previously reviewed (used as a lounge chair) could be adapted to other uses. It is at least 40% post industrial recycled content, free of plasticizers, stabilizers and toxic off gassing.
5. And there is Avonite, who make benchtops with reclaimed solid surface materials and have a zero waste manufacturing program, even reusing their production water in-house.
So a few options there, Robert. Are we getting close? [by WM]
While Enviroglas is interesting, perhaps a better (as in more eco) choice would be Icestone, which is also 100% recycled glass, but without the epoxy resin.
What about concrete?
What is "eco" about epoxy resin? What abouyt the process of producing "epoxy resin"? Isn't this plastic? Doesn't epoxy off-gas?
What not just use Cirian or Formica if you want plastic?
What is "eco" about epoxy resin? What abouyt the process of producing "epoxy resin"? Isn't this plastic? Doesn't epoxy off-gas?
What not just use Corian or Formica if you want plastic?
I know what Robert is asking, that is why I am here also. I saw a counter top in which arrowheads are arranged and then a half-inch layer of epoxy or resin clearcoats over the counter to seal in the artwork. I am looking for the same product to pour over my countertops to make a flat, washable surface over my geode marble so we can all view the crystals without getting them full of crumbs. Any suggestions?
I think I may have answered Roberts's question as well as mine! There is a website called tools-plus.com and the item number is 0500K46. It is a mirror-coat epoxy for countertops. I ordered a small pint today to try it on a piece of my marble before I order the full product.
I'm perplexed how you can put the term "eco" or "non toxic" on a product that contains epoxy resin or polyesyter resin?
What about a product called Silestone? It does have a few "green" elements - uses quartz that would otherwise be wasted. But again.... the resins used? The sealants too?
I'd love to see a top 10 list of the best eco-friendly counter top products and a list of the 'absolutely don't use this....' counter top products. And fast - my builder is breathing down my neck!
you need "table top" epoxy,, like you see in the bars and resturants, where they embed stuff under and cover it with clear,, drop a google search on it,, its a 2 prt epoxy,, 1st is a thin clear barier to stop bubbles from coming up, then the clear thick coat,,