Kitchen Updates - Selecting Your Countertop - Concrete? Paper? More...

Verdicrete countertop

There is an ever-growing desire to make green design choices in our homes.  Luckily, as interest has grown, so have our choices, from recycled glass and concrete to paper, agricultural by-products, seashells, reclaimed and FSC-certified woods and more.

At ‘g’, we have clients exploring the many countertop possibilities, with a focus on an increasingly popular product, Verdicrete.  Verdicrete is an engineered and recyclable concrete and is manufactured entirely with rainwater.  This environmentally friendly product (0% VOC finishing), can be quite friendly on the eyes as well.  Verdicrete comes in a variety of standard colors, with custom color options available to suit your design needs. Finishes range from matte, with a clean, contemporary feeling, to glossy, for those looking for the highly polished effect as seen on many granite countertops. This concrete countertop is irresistible to touch with its warm and velvety quality. The cost is about the same as mid to high range granite and design options are limitless; the shape, texture and color of the concrete can be created in any way imaginable, as long as it can fit through your door (with integrated sinks, backsplashes and draining boards all within the realm of possibilities).  Available to fit yuour space, Verdicrete can be made up to 6” thick on the edges, in a waterfall design to cascade over the sides of your island, and with stylized edges to match the style of your home.

Richlite Stratum: Bamboo Embedded

Richlite Countertops

If concrete is not quite your look, Richlite may be the option for you. Richlite is a dense material made from recycled paper and phenolic resin, baked to create a solid sheet. In other words, Richlite is compressed paper, and yes, Richlite paper is recycled paper. The final product is exceptionally strong, yet maintains a warm and organic look.  If durability is an important criteria for you, rest assured that Richlite is heat resistant up to 350°F and stain resistant.

Richlite has been used for industrial and marine purposes and as a skatepark surface for years and is SUPER durable. To quote it’s manufacturers, “The kitchen is Richlite’s least challenging environment.” Richlite can be a cost effective option for you if you are looking for a responsible material that will bring a natural warmth to your counter surfaces. 

Interested in learning more about these products?  Please come into our showroom, or view them on our website at: http://www.ggreendesign.com/green-products-buildingmaterials.htm#KitchenCountertops

Curious to see how these products can work in your own home?  Just use our ‘Create Your Space’ guide to begin getting answers to your questions at: http://www.ggreendesign.com/survey-designaspace.htmhttp://www.ggreendesign.com/survey-designaspace.htm