New Countertop Options
By Lisa June 10th, 2013
We all know there are a plethora (I love that word!) of countertop materials out there. Granite, quartz, butcher-block, laminate, glass and recycled glass, concrete and even recycled papers have become materials we’re used to hearing about. But I came across three more than seem intuitively obvious but were new to me.
First up, bamboo. It makes a great flooring option. It’s beautiful, durable, eco-friendly and looks like wood. Now it’s being used as a kitchen countertop for all those same reasons. The rareness of bamboo as a countertop does mean a long lead time for delivery and fabrication but it would certainly be a focal point in any kitchen.
I’ve been attending a book club at Canon River Winery and we just read the book The Sun Also Rises by Ernest Hemingway. I mention this because Hemingway mentions zinc countertops, especially in Paris bars, a lot. They are softer than stainless steel and require custom fabrication, but you can sand out scratches (unlike stainless) and they patina beautifully. What a conversation piece!
Finally there is recycled aluminum. These tops use 50-60% recycled material and are comfortable in a contemporary setting. Nothing like a kitchen counter made out of beer cans!
I wonder what will come up next!