If you’re looking for an eco-friendly  modern/industrial look, or just something different than what you’ve seen out there for countertops and other surfaces, check out the bold colors, and unique style that Alkemi’s has to offer homeowners and business owners alike.
 
These beautiful surfaces have earned SCS certification as well as LEED credits.   Aluminum milling scrap that would be burned into a heavy pollutant smoke, make up 60% of the surface volume.  There are three finishing styles available: classic, honed, and textured (depending on product chosen).  Colors are vibrant silver, gold, blue, green, red and bronze metal hues.  Surface thickness varies from 1/2″ to 3/4.”  Sheets can be bought in 36″ X 96″ or 36″ X 120″ sizes.   Custom colors, thickness and sizes can also be ordered.  Alkemi metal sheets are finished in the factory and do not require additional sealing before installation (unless cut before installation, then a sealant would be required for the edges).  Alkemi surfaces are versatile and can be used horizontally and vertically throughout your home (though it is not recommended for floors). 
 
Cautions – Though very durable, if abused, the surface may be damaged.  Most substances will not stain Alkemi’s surface, but acidic liquids such as lemon juice and red wine will have an adverse effect if left on the surface for too long.  Alkemi is not recommended for flooring and outdoor use.
 
When remodeling your kitchen, bath, or other surfaces, look into Alkemi’s beautiful material made from recycled metal.
 
For additional information and to order samples, contact a local design professional or fabricator.  Currently, Alkemi fabricators and showrooms are found within the US, Canada, UK, Germany, Netherlands, and Italy.  Click here for contact information.
 
Other Countertop products discussed on GetWithGreen:
 
Counter Top Materials – A review of 12 materials
EcoTop – EcoTop now in distribution, How to get your EcoTop
EnviroGLAS & IceStone – Intro, More Info
Terrazzo – Terrazzo installation video
Counter Intelligence – chart from Home Improvement Magazine
Concrete – Concrete Info,  Meld USA, VitraStone, Sonoma Cast Stone
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Just this past week I sat down with Joel Klippert, the creator of the ‘green’ EcoTop countertop .  I’d been anxious to talk with Joel about how things were going with his business, and the availability of EcoTop – the beautiful, practical, and affordable eco-friendly and green countertop material you’ve read so much about on GetWithGreen.com.   Joel is calling it “Sustainable without sacrifice.”

As I expected, Joel is moving full steam ahead.  The company has now made EcoTop countertop available nationwide through a master distributor in Denver – Designer Building Solutions.  If you are interested in purchasing the product, you can contact Peter Colburn in the Eco Building division of DBS directly at 1-206-321-1823.  The product is available in 10 colors, with leadtimes that vary depending on the color you select.

Supporting this distribution effort, EcoTop countertop is now being produced in two plants: Scranton, PA and Tacoma, WA.   Expanding beyond Designer Building Solutions, the company is now building a network of kitchen and bath suppliers across the US.  Unlike so many eco-friendly green products that are hard to find, EcoTop is truly going national with scale which will makes it affordable and available for all of us homeowners.

Distribution is the dirty little secret of what is missing for so many of the other eco-friendly product manufacturers on the market today, and later this month we will be talking directly to executives at The Home Depotabout this.  We are all interested in green products, but acquiring them in an eco-friendly way (instead of having to drive one hour to buy them) is extremely difficult today.  GetWithGreen.com believes that manufacturers with distribution will eventually separate those who live and those who eventually get “recycled”.

Read More About EcoTop Countertop on GetWithGreen.com

• Paperstone, now EcoTop
• EcoTop delivers sample kits

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The momentum around eco-friendly EcoTop “paper” countertops continues to build as Klip BioTechnologies is locking up distribution agreements that will take this green countertop product “mainstream”, and make it incredibly easy to obtain for our home projects. 

As many of you know, and write often to us about, it is very difficult to easily buy “green” products for our home remodels.  Thus many of us just purchase what is most easily available from our contractors, Home Depot, or other — at the last minute.  (Come back later this week as we tell of our most recent difficulties trying to obtain UltraTouch insulation from Bonded Logic!)

Today, EcoTop is available to order by directly calling Klip BioTechnologies at 1-253-507-4622 in Washington.  At the moment all homeowners receive factory direct pricing.  Lead-times are running three weeks, for the present earth-tone neutral colors:  Snow White, Ivory, Cashew, Palamino, Pecan, and Jet Black.  Soon EcoTop will be available in a Charcoal, Concrete Grey, Espresso Brown, and Thistle Green.  

Sample Kits can be ordered from EcoTop for $30, and if you decide to purchase EcoTop the $30 will come off the price of your final order.  Klip BioTechnologies did tell GetWithGreen.com that the Sample Kits are on backorder, so contact them now if this is how you are planning on evaluating their product.

Remember that this product differs from Paperstone and other fiber countertop products in that it uses a completely new fiber system, a newly developed resin, and is manufactured with patent pending processes.

Finally, the team over at Finehomebuilding.com is running a great “paper” countertop overview in their most recent edition.  See the article at:  Paper counters look and feel like stone.  (Note: you might need to register to get the article.)

Read More About EcoTop on GetWithGreen.com

• Paperstone, now EcoTop
• EcoTop NOW IN WIDE DISTRIBUTION!

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Selecting a countertop is a really tough thing to during a remodel.  You will likely need to select it prior to selecting your cabinets.  There are many many options.  Coral Nafie wrote an internet blog posting of which some contents we are using below.  In addition to the wonderful writing from Coral, we have added a bit more of a green spin so that you can get a feel for which are more eco-friendly below:

1. Granite Counters

Granite is the countertop material of choice when there are no other things to think about – like money. It defines elegance in a kitchen. The beauty of the stone contributes to the beauty of even the most modest kitchen.
Pros: holds up to heat; comes in beautiful colors; looks permanent and substantial.
Cons: very expensive, requires lots of maintenance, including periodic sealing; absorbs stains; can crack; limited range of colors available.
Eco-Friendly:   Very low.   Not renewable.  Once it is removed from the earth is cannot be easily reused.   Be sure to use low-VOC sealant, look for a source that is near you to cut down on transportation, and seek out remnant slabs.

2. Engineered Stone

Engineered stone is composed of quartz particals. It is available in a larger range of colors than granite and has a nonporous surface that resists scratches. It’s easy to maintain, without the annual sealing required by natural stone. Brands on the market are DuPont Zodiaq®, Cambria Quartz, and Silestone.
Pros: resistant to stain and acid; easy care.
Cons: Expensive.
Eco-Friendly:   Usage of color pigments and resin don’t make this product super friendly.  Mining of the quartz clearly has an impact on the environment.        

3. Solid Surface

Because solid surface counters are just what they’re called, solid, any scratches can be sanded out. The countertops are custom-made to your specifications by companies such as Avonite, Corian, and Swanstone.
Pros: comes in a rainbow of colors and patterns; seamless; stain resistant.
Cons vulnerable to hot pans and stains which can damage the surface; can be moderately expensive.
Eco-Friendly:  No-VOCs, but the jury is out.  Clearly not as green as products such as IceStone, otherwise they would have the certifications like those of IceStone.

4. Ceramic Tile

Ceramic tile is durable and easy to clean. Add to that inexpensive and you’ve got a really good choice for countertops for the average home. Because it’s installed a section at a time, it can be done by most resourceful homeowners.
Pros: takes hot pans; easy to clean; wide range of price, color, texture and design.
Cons: counter surface is uneven; tiles can easily chip or crack; grout lines become stained; custom-designed tiles are very expensive.
Eco-Friendly:  Some ceramic tile is made from recycled content such as old lightbulbs, bottles and porcelain.  It is biodegradable, and use low-VOC adhesive.

5. Laminates

Laminate counters bear trademarks such as Formica, Nevamar, and Wilsonart. They’re made of plastic-coated synthetics with a smooth surface that’s easy to clean. The pieces are cut to size and finished on the ends.
Pros: you can buy laminates in lots of colors; easy to maintain; durable; inexpensive.
Cons: scratches and chips are almost impossible to repair; seans show; end finishing and front edge choices can be pricey.
Eco-Friendly:  Resins used may include urea formaldehyde, look for laminates that advertise that they do NOT.   Also look for the use of recycled plastic.

6. Wood or Butcher Block

Wood countertops offer a beautiful warm look and are available in a wide range of colors and finishes. Hardwoods such as maple and oak are most often used as countertop woods.
Pros: easy to clean; smooth; can be sanded and resealed as needed.
Cons: can be damaged by water and stains over time; scratches must be oiled or sealed according to manufacturer’s instructions.
Eco-Friendly:  Look for wood with FSC certification, and use of low-VOC sealants and water-based finishes

7. Stainless Steel Counters

For a really contemporary and industrial look for your kitchen, stainless steel is a good choice. They are heat resistant and durable. Because they’re constructed to your specifications, you can have a seamless countertop.
Pros: takes hot pans; easy to clean.
Cons: Expensive; noisy; may dent; fabrication is expensive; you can’t cut on it.
Eco-Friendly: Look for recycled steel, because mining and refining steel uses a large amount of energy and pollutes the environment. 

8. Soapstone Counters

Soapstone is generally dark gray in color and has a smooth feel. It is often seen in historic homes but is also used in modern homes as both a countertop and sink material.
Pros: rich, deep color; smooth feel; somewhat stain resistant.
Cons: requires regular maintenance with applications of mineral oil; may crack and darken over time.
Eco-Friendly: Barely more friendly than Granit as soapstone is mined from the surface, but some areas where soapstone is mined is not only impacting the environment, it is impacting animals – such as tiger habitats in India.  Soapstone is a material that is definitely harder to come by in the world, and diverse places are being impacted by searches for soapstone – please use fair trade merchants.

9. Marble

Because of it’s extremely high price tag, marble is not often seen on the countertops of whole kitchens. To get the luxurious look, use it on an island or inset at a baking center. Marble requires constant maintenance, as it easily stains. Some new sealers retard staining.
Pros: waterproof; heatproof; beautiful.
Cons: expensive; porous; stains easily unless professionally sealed; can scratch; may need resealing periodically as per manufacturer.
Eco-Friendly:  Same as Granite above.

10. Concrete Counters

If you have countertops in unusual shapes, concrete may be a good choice, as they’re often cast right in your kitchen. The high price tag may be beyond most people’s budget.  It is very important to have them sealed.
Pros: heat and scratch resistant; can be color-tinted; looks exotic and unusual; new treatments eliminate cracking; additives reduce porosity; new finishes are more decorative.
Cons: mid to high range on cost due to custom work; cracking is possible; can look somewhat industrial; porous but can be sealed.
Eco-Friendly:  The aggregate mixed with cement and water should be recycled for concrete to count as green.  Also look for low-VOC sealers.

11. Glass

Glass offers a sleek, modern style that doesn’t have to look like a bland glass tabletop. You can find various colors and different textures to give it some distinction. Glass countertops are sturdy enough to stand up to their role however you’ll still want to be sure you avoid dropping something large and heavy on them.
Eco-Friendly:   If made from recycled glass.

12. Composite & Recycled Materials

Composite and recycled materials deliver some interesting alternatives for countertop selection. Some are made from recycled paper and combined with resins to form a surface that’s hard yet warmer than stone, and others are made from recycled glass held together with either cement or resin.  The eco-friendly nature of these choices may also give you the satisfaction of having helped the environment.  Some of the companies producing recycled paper products using a phenolic resin, or products made from recycled glass, cement and plastics include: Richlite, IceStone, Vetrazzo, EnviroGlas, Paperstone, Squak Mountain Stone and EcoTop.
Eco-Friendly:  Highly eco-friendly.  Do look for low-VOC resin usage, and in the case of paper products look for FSC certification.

Related Articles on GetWithGreen:

- Watch the making of eco-friendly terrazzo countertop
- First there was Paperstone, now there is EcoTop
- Concrete from Sonoma Cast Stone (Part 1 of 2)
- Concrete from VitraStone (Part 2 of 2)

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