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| 7 new strategies for making concrete countertops eco-friendly  Concrete is known for being one of the greenest, most environmentally friendly materials on Earth. Concrete-Countertops.org has put together a list of seven convenient strategies for making concrete countertops as eco-friendly as possible. Consumers can share these strategies with their contractors to ensure that their concrete countertops are taking full advantage of concrete's eco-benefits. Described in more detail on the site, in order to maximize a concrete countertop's green potential one should follow these seven simple strategies:1. Use an eco-friendly mix to build the countertop. 2. Take advantage of materials from local sources. 3. Have the countertop made in a green manner by reusing materials, etc. 4. Incorporate decorative accents by inlaying recycled materials. 5. Use other earth friendly materials like nontoxic form-release agents and sealers. 6. Go with a functional, timeless design. 7. Consider a Glass Fiber Reinforced Concrete (GFRC) countertop. Without sacrificing durability and functionality, concrete brings new options for countertops. Now, with the rising trend to build more efficiently with less impact on the environment, there has been increased interest in the unique qualities of concrete. "Solid surface materials are made of plastic, engineered quartz materials contain a synthetic resin binder, and granite and marble are nonrenewable mined resources" explains Jeff Girard, president of The Concrete Countertop Insitute. "Concrete contains mostly just good old sand, rock and cement." Although, concrete isn't a completely eco-friendly product, one can take a number of simple steps, including the seven mentioned above, to reduce the ecological impact of countertops. write your comments about the article :: © 2009 Construction News :: home page |