Healthy Home – GLASS counters

ONE of the most important selections in a kitchen design is the kitchen counter.  A stylish healthy material that is often overlooked is Glass.  Glass counters take the spotlight (as they should) in any kitchen.  They are most often used as breakfast bars, entertainment bars or eating surfaces such as dining tables.  Glass counters can be just as effective in a small kitchen as a large one (just because you are small doesn’t mean that you cannot shine!)

Some of the benefits of glass counters include:*

1.  Glass is non-toxic.  It will not emit VOCs (volatile organic compounds) or radon gas, making it one of the most healthy materials in your home.

2.  Glass is non-porous, leaving no place for germs to hide or stains to absorb.  This is one of the few materials that I personally warranty will not stain.

3.  Glass is durable - more durable than you think.  glass is made of silica which is the main element found in granite, offering a similar hardness and long life.  Glass counters are thick and not easily broken.  Glass does not require sealing or any special maintenance.

4.  Some glass counters are made with recycled glass which give them an A+ in sustainability.

Be aware that some counter materials contain glass pieces that are bound together in a resin.   These counter materials do not have the same properties as the 100% glass counters described above.  In fact, many of them are MORE porous and MORE delicate.

Again, whenever you are selecting counter materials, obtain a sample and try to ‘kill it.’  Try to stain it, try to scratch it, try to clean the stain, use harsh cleaners, etc.  Then you can safely decide if you want this product for your kitchen counter – you will know exactly how it will react to daily use.

When you use glass counters, you raise the quality of your kitchen design while receiving the health benefits of using durable non toxic materials!

*Glassworks Inc., www.glassworksinc.com

Light & privacy-balancing the benefits

Natural light is a wonderful commodity.  It provides a sense of the outside  a connection to nature, and a peacefulness that settles our circadian needs.  Whenever possible, the addition of skylights or solar tubes in your home is the best investment for your interior health.  The light that comes through a skylight is significantly brighter and more expansive than the light that comes through a window.  The light that comes through a window is often shadowed by a roof overhang, or, gasp, it may be facing north and receive a dimmer light than the south side. 

Glass is commonly the material of choice to allow natural light into homes and offices.  Because of its transparency, the use of glass will make a space look and feel bigger.  Glass has its downside, however, generally in regards to privacy.  There are several options to consider:

1) When presented with the choice of having windows with natural light or looking into your neighbors bedroom, we chose a third option in this bathroom.  We added decorative film onto the windows, creating a 'light diffuser.'  To coordinate, we installed the same film onto the glass of the adjoining closet door.  

This decorative fim has a 'scratch' pattern to it, however there are many other choices, a popular one being the rice paper pattern. 

2)  The next picture shows upper cabinets with etched glass inserts.  We still get the benefits of glass, however the view through the etched glass is slightly diffused.   The apples were pulled forward in this picture to be seen.  Anything 3" back from the glass is seen as a blissful blur. (Do you want to arrange the interior of your kitchen cabinets?  I don't!)  Also, recent tests with AV equipment confirm that remote controls WILL work through etched glass.

3)  My latest favorite is the next alternative - Lumicor.  Lumicor is an architectural product  made of resin panels fused together with textural items placed between the panels.  In this case, there are reeds that are between the panels creating a very unique interesting texture.  Lumicor panels are also used as shower enclosures, light diffusers, inserts into french doors and counters.

4)  I recently founda 4th option from my colleague Tish Oye of Glassworks.

Glassworks designs, fabricates and installs kiln-formed glass, which “embosses” flat glass with interesting textures and patterns.  It can be made in clear glass or any color to match your interiors.  In addition, the glass inserts can be made of 100% recycled glass.  As with all Glassworks glass, it is inert, does not emit any VOC’s has a very long life and is easily recyclable, unlike acrylics and/or resins.  This picture shows the slumped glass option.  I hope you’ll keep this option in mind when thinking of using glass!