Angela and Bill Class wanted an earthy but sophisticated look for their neutral-toned kitchen counters, which had to take a beating from four children.
Having decided granite was getting too popular, Angela Class turned to concrete with glass chips in its mix and a drainboard cast into it.
"It doesn't look like concrete on your sidewalk. It's very smooth," said Class, who worked with Kenwood Kitchens on other aspects of the kitchen.
A bar is topped with thick glass, its underside frosted. The high surface is ideal for grown-ups who dally in the kitchen. The rough-edge look complements the concrete.
Rosemary and Dean Hoover of Towson worked with Cox, but chose a recycled black-glass-and-concrete countertop, Granicrete, obtained through family.
Rosemary Hoover said the depth is provided by the glass, variation by cream and white aggregate in the mix. "It's very sturdy."
All products green, such as PaperStone and Ice-Stone, are getting more notice locally, though they make up a sliver of the market.
Justin Shelby, principal of UrbanEx Development, installed PaperStone, a compacted paper and resin product made of 50 percent recycled paper, in two historic buildings he rehabbed as condos in Mount Vernon and Charles Village.
The number of colors available is small, but PaperStone is impervious to water. It needs occasional sealing.
"It has a very warm look to it," Shelby said.
A 100 percent recycled version is among products available.
IceStone gets a random-flecked look from bits of recycled glass in concrete. Take note: Most recently, the blue glass is vodka bottles and the brown, beer bottles. Two items right at home in the kitchen.
counter conscious
Here are a few guidelines on kitchen counters:
Granite
Pro: Heat-, cut-, bacteria-resistant; showplace element; huge variety of colors and patterns.
Con: Needs resealing every one to five years, depending on product and use. Everybody has it.
Price: $45 and up per square foot.
Engineered stone
Pro: No sealing; durable; can take heat, scratching, spills. Unusual colors available.
Con: Uniform look, but quartz can provide depth and added color.
Price: $45 and up per square foot. Brands include Silestone and Zodiaq.
Marble
Pro: Classic; eye-catching.
Con: Soft stone stains, scratches, chips and etches; requires cleaning spills immediately and regular resealing.
