Glass makes home projects unique, beautiful

Glass is very popular in homes -- think about those beautiful mosaic wall tiles seen in kitchens -- and it's clear its use is expanding.

"Throwing in a little bit of glass makes a project unique and beautiful," said Melody Saraniti, manager of The Tile Gallery in Chicago.

"Radiant, luminescent and shimmering" are words used on the company's Web site.

And Saraniti's pleased that the many clients who ask for environmentally friendly products can choose recycled glass.

Several companies use recycled glass to make tiles, slabs or a terrazzo-style product mixed with concrete.

Recycled glass can be pricey, and for newer lines it might be hard to find a retail outlet.

On the other hand, the products are usually made in the United States.

Recycling glass means less product is put in landfills and less energy is used than making new tiles would require, say the manufacturing companies. The companies have been recognized by various environmental groups.

Each slab of Bio Glass saves 1 cubic yard of landfill and produces 35 pounds less in carbon dioxide emissions, says manufacturer Coverings Etc. of Miami.

Taylor Littrel of Greenmakers, a Chicago company that specializes in green building materials, likes IceStone.

It's a mixture of concrete and recycled glass that resembles terrazzo.

It comes in slabs that are 52 by 96 inches and 1¼ inches thick and can be cut and installed similar to granite.

IceStone can be used on countertops, walls, fireplace surrounds or even floors. It comes in 27 colors.

Littrel, who specializes in countertops at Greenmakers, said IceStone is a good substitute for granite, which must be mined and is hard on the earth.

"I've seen it used for countertops in kitchens and outdoor kitchens, and we have a customer interested in using it for a vertical outside water feature. It's ultraviolet-light resistant, so you can use it outdoors."

Littrel said the main drawback he has seen is that the slabs can vary from the sample.

One reason for this is possible inconsistencies in the size of glass pieces used, he said. The product also needs to be sealed to prevent staining.

IceStone's price at Greenmakers is $80 to $120 per square foot. It has been in production for 3½ years, said Ilya Perchikovsky, who is in charge of communications.

Sandhill Industries distinguishes itself by making glass tiles in 36 colors, several shapes and sizes and two finishes -- glossy and matte.

The company has been making tiles in Boise, Idaho, for seven years.

Prices start at about $21 per square foot for glossy 4-by-4-inch tiles.

Saraniti said her company, which carries Sandhill, has seen recycled glass tiles used in such exotic locations as ceilings where they sparkle above chandeliers and outdoor fountains.

Another slab with a clearer appearance is Bio Glass, introduced in February by Coverings Etc. of Miami.

Bio Glass comes in white, light green and brown. The brown actually has bits of bottles in it.

It can be used on countertops and walls. The company hopes to develop floor tiles, too.

Pricing starts at $60 per square foot, and homeowners, builders and architects can contact the company to purchase the material.

Here is information on how to contact manufacturers of tiles and slabs made with recycled glass:

• IceStone, www.icestone.biz or (718) 624-4900.

Slabs are available at Greenmaker Building Supply, 2500 N. Pulaski Road, Chicago, www.greenmakersupply.com or (866) 702-7500.

• Sandhill Industries, www.sandhillind.com or (208) 345-6508. Tiles are available at The Tile Gallery, which is moving soon to 225 W. Ohio St., Chicago, www.tilegallerychicago.com or (312) 467-9590.

• Bio Glass slabs, www.coveringsetc.com or (800) 720-7814.