The Low Down On Green Living
November 14th, 2007
Concrete for Green Countertops and Flooring
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Not too long ago, the only time you’d think about concrete in residential construction was when you were talking about driveways, slabs and walkways. Well, those days are gone – you can now use concrete products to create beautiful and sustainable interior elements such as flooring and countertops. So, read on to learn more about the latest green developments in concrete.
Is Concrete Really Green?
Concrete is a strong construction material typically made of a mixture of Portland cement, a coarse aggregate (such as stone), a fine aggregate (such as sand), and water. The knock against traditional concrete is that Portland cement production uses huge amounts of energy (and cement plants can burn very dirty fuels) and the aggregates can come from mining in ecologically sensitive areas.
Today, many eco-friendly concrete products incorporate recycled materials in the mix, making them much more sustainable. Recycled fly ash, which is a byproduct of coal fired power plants, can be used to replace some of the Portland cement. Green concrete vendors also add recycled chips of glass or metal to concrete for a more decorative look and to increase the recycled content. They also add organic pigments rather than standard chemicals for color variation. Last, you can buy concrete that is manufactured locally. This cuts down on transportation and packaging compared to decorative stone options, which are often quarried and shipped from overseas. And finally, eco-friendly concrete is itself recyclable – the broken up pieces of old concrete can be used as the aggregate in new concrete!
Concrete vs. Standard Materials
In terms of performance, concrete compares favorably to more traditional stone flooring and countertop materials such as granite, marble and limestone. Typically, concrete is stronger and more durable than any of these natural quarried stone options. Standard stones are porous and can stain easily from acidic substances like red wine or coffee, and do not handle hot or cold variation well. Concrete performs very well by comparison, although you should always seal concrete to increase its resistance to stains.
As for cost, these latest in green concrete products are a still a bit more expensive than traditional stone alternatives. Pre-cast countertops are 25-50% more per square foot than stone such as marble and granite. This is partially because much of the shaping work for concrete is done at the factory while stone is done in your home – the material cost is more, but the installation can sometimes be less. Concrete floor tiles range from par to 25% more than standard alternatives. Often it is the pigments and additives that increase the cost of concrete, rather than the base material.
So, Where Can I Get it?
There are many concrete surface options on the market. Standard pre-cast sizes and forms are typically lower cost, but you can also have things poured in place if you are set on a custom design. You can find concrete countertops here at Low Impact Living. Examples include Lithistone, which is a manufacturer of concrete countertops and vessel sinks and Syndecrete, which makes recycled concrete surfaces and uses recycled glass, metals, and organic pigments. Other manufacturers of concrete surfaces are Artflor, which makes countertops and flooring tiles with recycled glass and metal, Squak Mountain Stone for countertops, and Fuez which also makes countertops and tiles. You can find local countertop vendors in your area here on the Low Impact Living website.
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Comments
andy
July 10th, 2009 at 7:45 am
just make sure that you http://www.forlifeproducts.com/rejuvenate-sealers.php
“> seal it to protect the surface
genie rounds29 martin st.,massena n.y. 13662
December 18th, 2009 at 1:15 pm
we are building a green home next year. want info about i.c.f. building, passive solar. would also love to see energy efficiant homes. we plan on berming two-thirds of the home..need info on this. would you have resources to pass along. wanting to come to vt. this weekend,,thank you sincerely, genie rounds
Justin
April 21st, 2010 at 1:25 pm
Every Squak Mountain Stone concrete slab is hand-finished so it has a unique character similar to that of natural stones such as marble, travertine, and limestone. Squak Mountain Stone is generally used in kitchens and bathrooms as a counter top, table top or vanity top. If you haven’t seen the “new” Squak Mountain stone you really don’t know what you are missing out on! Tiger Mountain Innovations, LLC has recently made some great product improvements to their Squak Mountain Stone product. The coal fly-ash previously contained in the material has been substituted out with more recycled glass. Portland cement was substituted for low-carbon cement over 2 years ago as low-carbon cement releases much less co2 into the atmosphere during the manufacturing process. Furthermore, the slabs are available in a nominal 56″x96″ size at 1-3/8″ thickness. Slabs are gauged on the backside to ensure consistent thickness and ease of seaming for fabricators. A state-of-the-art vibration technology is used to minimize pinholes and give a more consistent character from slab to slab.
avmgranite
July 2nd, 2010 at 10:27 pm
AVM Granite is a Manufacturers & Suppliers of Granite, Granite slabs, Granite Tiles, Granite table Top and Granite Kitchen Platform in India.”
avmgranite
July 13th, 2010 at 1:48 am
AVM Granite is a Manufacturers & Suppliers of Granite, Granite slabs, Granite Tiles, Granite table Top and Granite Kitchen Platform in India.
Keith deBolt
July 24th, 2010 at 2:41 pm
I am glad you recommended sealing the surface of a concrete counter or floor. Both concrete flooring and concrete counters will contain tiny pores, and left untreated will allow water and chemicals and ‘gunk’ to penetrate the slab.
A good silicate reactive sealer, like the one found at http://CreteDefender.com, will penetrate the slab and permanently fill the pores. The best thing about using a reactive sealer is that you only have to do it once. Yes, there is such a thing as a permanent concrete sealer!
While I can’t speak for the other reactive silicate sealers out there, I would like to add that CreteDefender is eco friendly, bio-degradable, and FDA approved for use in food prep areas, making it the perfect solution for permanently protecting your concrete counter tops!
Keith deBolt
omba
July 25th, 2010 at 2:10 pm
I think cork flooring is much better than concrete, I mean comon think about…Concrete in my opinion is just bad for the environment. I think laminate flooring is even a better option, but then again it is all based on opinion.
ahmad
July 25th, 2010 at 7:08 pm
I think we should all care about the environment more. The world isnt going to clean itself up, we have to do it and we have to take responsibility.
Jay
July 26th, 2010 at 6:04 pm
Concrete without a sealer is too porous and can collect bacteria especially on counter tops. The same is true with concrete flooring especially if you have pets. Having a polish surface is what makes concrete polishing so popular for longevity, easy maintenance and long-run cost. Click here to for a local concrete polishing contractor
Bill
July 30th, 2010 at 2:43 pm
We haven’t used concrete for interior counters (we are granite fans!), but we did have a local contractor build a “green” concrete sidewalk for us using recycled materials. We like the different color and look to it and have had numerous positive comments about it.
Cherry Wood Flooring
August 2nd, 2010 at 7:39 am
Using concrete for countertops and flooring is a great idea. Especially if you can customize the design. However, if you do use concrete for flooring, you do need to check with the professionals first. Concrete floors tend to crack over time even if they are sealed nicely. Especially if they are done in apartments that may shift a little in strong winds or when there is movement in the earth.
San Diego Flooring
October 11th, 2010 at 12:26 pm
Good tips for concrete flooring. Like most of the posters have said though, it’s not the best project to rush off and “DIY.” Consulting a professional will make the investment worth it and the green flooring will pay for itself over time.
Elwood
January 25th, 2011 at 6:48 am
I really like concrete flooring in an office space, it really works for design studios. Although it can get quite cold to walk around on at home. I would go with a concrete bench like above and hardwood flooring. Hardwood flooring or Bamboo flooring is very stylish and would contrast well with the concrete benchtop. Thanks for the tips! http://www.wisterialaneflooring.com
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