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wolkck

I need countertop advice! Recycled glass? Color/pattern?

9 years ago

This is my mid century kitchen that has metal cabinetry. I put in new flooring but need countertop help. Some day I may the cabinets as well.


Comments (23)

  • PRO
    9 years ago

    Solid color solid surface.

  • 9 years ago

    Joe, what is the most durable surface in a solid color?

  • PRO
    9 years ago

    Hi I would suggest a quartz surface!

    wolkck thanked OTM Designs & Remodeling Inc.
  • 9 years ago
    Go Mid Mod all the way! Wilson Art Laminate in a retro pattern! Boomerang? Also Check out RetroRenovation.com. Your cabinets appear to be in excellent shape! Are they Youngstown Kitchen brand? If you decide to remove them, you can find a market for them...
  • 9 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    They are in excellent shape-just need a repaint! I have never seen the brand-just General Electric on the front. These have been so durable for us-3 kids!

  • 9 years ago
    Yes, General Electric made metal cabinets with hardware like yours and in your color, too. They could be paired with matching ovens, stoves, and fridges, also! Oooooooh!
    wolkck thanked ptreckel
  • 9 years ago

    Yes, the oven and stove were from GE but switched out.

  • 9 years ago

    Wow! I love that! And if I had the cabinets done in white it would still look amazing!

  • PRO
    9 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    "Joe, what is the most durable surface in a solid color?"

    This is like asking what's the best car.

    There are trade-offs. Solid surface is very tough, repairable, and the color can be solid, it scratches easily, but is easily refinished to factory. Nearly the same can be said for stainless steel, but that's more heat resistant.

    Quartz, or engineered stone, is strong, somewhat repairable, there are some nearly solid colors, it is difficult to scratch, but those scratches require expensive and difficult hit-and-miss repairs.

    Sintered is strong, nearly heat impervious, almost scratch proof, but it's impossible to repair cracks inconspicuously and chips are iffy. The color doesn't go all the way through.

    wolkck thanked Joseph Corlett, LLC
  • 9 years ago

    I think recycled glass would be fabulous! It reminds me of terrazzo floors with a little sparkle added.

    wolkck thanked katinparadise
  • 9 years ago

    Thank you-I will look into that!

  • 9 years ago

    Vetrazzo has some other selections too. I actually have their green one in my bathroom. I love it.

    wolkck thanked Beth H. :
  • 9 years ago

    http://www.renewedmaterials.com/

    Another supplier of stunning countertop material...Alkemi.

    wolkck thanked chiflipper
  • 9 years ago

    A local business put in recycled glass counter tops and as I had been thinking about using that product, I kept checking back with the company to see how the glass wore. The folks at the company showed me several chips in the counter tops after a few months. As such, I would carefully consider if you really want to use this product for a higher-use part of the home such as a kitchen.

  • PRO
    9 years ago

    Those chips are inexpensively and inconspicuously repaired.

  • 9 years ago
    "Joe,how do you refinish stainless to factory?" Inquiring minds need to know!!
  • PRO
  • 9 years ago
    Thanks Joe but nothing is there?
  • 9 years ago

    I would not want counter tops that had to be "inexpensively and inconspicuously repaired" (per Mr. Corlett) a few times a year. Why not just get something that is more durable?

  • 9 years ago

    lesley,,,a local business prob gets more abuse than someones kitchen. I have had recycled glass countertops in my bathroom for almost 10 years and don't have one chip. They are made w/same materials as quartz countertops. So as far as 'having to get repairs a few times a year', that's just ridiculous. I have more chips in my actual granite top than I do in the recycled glass.

  • PRO
    9 years ago

    Google Image link to Retro Vintage laminate tops - these are so fun.

    https://www.bing.com/images/search?view=detailV2&ccid=xCJ3yHE3&id=C1D90B3EF5BF0065810CD729A7CDB2699711E98F&thid=OIP.xCJ3yHE3J2YB31AmKNkwhQEsDH&q=retro+vintage+laminate&simid=607986479758577127&selectedIndex=85&ajaxhist=0

    I couldn't justify putting a high-end countertops on cabinets that you may indeed tear-out not long down the road. Although, my fiancé had his original metal cabinets stripped down and powder-coated white and put a Tropic Brown granite on them. The look ok, but the insides of them are getting really shabby/tired looking now. Done about 15 years ago, I believe.

  • 9 years ago

    I agree that bathrooms don't get as much abuse as a retail environment, but do think that residential kitchens get more abuse than residential bathrooms. So far, we have my second-hand experience, one professional selling the product input, and your bathroom experience. I would really like to hear from others here on Houzz, who have recycled glass in their residential homes on how the product wears over time.