The Unexpected Material Manufacturers Are Starting To Use For Countertops

Corn. It's got the juice ... and lots more. This magical grain has so many uses beyond the edible. While savvy cooks have used cornstarch as a thickening agent for sauces, puddings, and soups for years, it turns out it can also bind other materials for long-term use beautifully. One of its newest roles is binding potential waste into durable countertops. If you're in the market for a kitchen upgrade, you have a fascinating new green option perfect for eco-friendly home renovations.

A durable resin made from corn oil combined with recycled glass, paper, stone scraps, and other cast-off items join forces for counters as durable as ones made from other materials. Two companies pioneering this ingenious material are Costentino and KlipTech; each has developed their own recipe for recycled material bound with resin made partly from corn. Cosentino has even earned designer and HGTV star Hilary Farr's recommendation for style and sustainability. ECO by Cosentino countertops are made up of 75% recycled materials that are typically hard to recycle, like mirrors, window glass, and broken porcelain. KlipTech's RecycleTop counters are composed of post-consumer paper mixed with bamboo fibers. Both brands rely on corn resin to make their counters ready for the long haul.

Not only are these resourceful producers giving landfill-bound material another chance to shine, they're also saving vast amounts of energy and environmental harm caused by mining new materials. The icing on the cake is that they're both tough and attractive, and they actually may put some money back into your pockets.

Designing your home with sustainable materials can give you back more than just a feeling that you've done something positive for the planet. Oftentimes, products made from recycled material are attractive because of their low environmental impact, but they don't hold up as well or look quite as nice as conventional products. You won't have to compromise on style when you're shopping for corn-resin countertops, though. Both brands offer a wide range of colors and finishes that will suit any taste.

Knowing that purchasing eco-friendly products is helping reduce environmental harm can be satisfying enough. However, when your purchase is pleasing in many other ways, it's even better. Both Cosentino and KlipTech countertops have won awards for sustainability and quality. Their counters are designed to stand up to stains, scratches, and scorching.

Using eco-friendly materials in renovations may also make you eligible for tax rebates and other federal or state-wide financial incentives. Since it's best to hire a professional with experience installing these countertops, you can also consult with them about current local and federal programs that could deliver even more returns on your investment.