As you get ready to remodel your kitchen or bath, you will have many different options for the materials that you use. Especially when it comes to your countertops, you have numerous options. One material that you may not have considered for your countertops is a material known as ice stone.
Ice Stone is a relatively new alternative building material, and not only does it look good, but it is also environmentally friendly, so you can feel good about using it as well. The material is made up of the following components: 75% recycled glass, 18% Portland cement, and remainder is made up of proprietary components known only to the manufacturer. According to the manufacturer, the material is made up of 95% post consumer recycled content. Now, before you get a mental picture that this countertop looks like old recycled paper, think again. This is one beautiful countertop.
The company also strives to really make an impact on the environment as well. In 2006, the company was able to recycle about 2.6 billion pounds of glass. Think about that for a minute. That is 2.6 billion pounds of glass that did not end up along the highway or in a landfill. That alone gives us a good reason to take a look at this countertop when making our remodeling decisions. Additionally, because of the materials that are used when manufacturing the product, there are a ton of color possibilities. Think about the advantages. You may even be able to make a perfect match to a tile that you really like. This material can also be used on walls, floors, counters, or even all three. This product is extremely versatile. This material is also fine to use in exterior applications, the material is UV stable, and it can also withstand either extreme cold or extreme heat.
This material is a good alternative to natural stone. It is less porous than marble, and it is as heat and scratch resistant as granite. It also is installed very similarly to natural stone. However, Ice Stone does not require the huge amount of fossil fuels that are needed in order to mine and transport natural stone. The material can also be easily cleaned with a mild soap and water. The costs for purchase and installation are also similar to granite in most parts of the country. This is also more sustainable than granite. Once all the granite is mined, it is gone forever.
The company that manufactures this product is also dedicated to being as green as possible. They use many environmentally friendly practices, including graywater recycling, daylighting with natural light, and using soy based lubricants in their machinery. The waste from their manufacturing processes is also recycles into road surfacing materials. Their goal is to have zero waste.
A.C. T. Services would be honored to have the opportunity to show you the best choices for using Ice Stone countertops in your home. We can put our 33 years of experience to work in making your kitchen or bath into the beautiful area that you have always wanted. We will make the counertops match your personality, as well as your personal tastes. Most of all, you are the most important member of our remodeling team.
Gary Harris
