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Frequently Asked Questions INSTALLATION AND USAGE QUESTIONS
ORDERING QUESTIONS
ENVIROSLAB SPECIFIC QUESTIONS
ENVIROSCAPE SPECIFIC QUESTIONS ENVIROPLANK SPECIFIC QUESTIONS
ENVIRONMENTAL QUESTIONS
INSTALLATION AND USAGE QUESTIONS
EnviroSLAB is a nominal one-inch thick countertop application. EnviroPLANK is a nominal 3/8-inch thick tile primarily for light commercial and residential flooring applications. “Nominal” refers to the custom-made nature of EnviroSLAB and EnviroPLANK. Because each piece is poured, troweled, polished and cut by hand, there may be small variations in the measurements of these products, all less than half an inch.
Homeowners are encouraged to identify a reputable local countertop fabricator/installer who is experienced with granite and marble. EnviroSLAB is a similar density to granite and requires the same tools – a diamond blade side cutter or wet saw for bigger pieces. The edges are polished using a diamond-polishing pad. EnviroPLANK can be installed by any reputable tile applicator.
Yes, a handy homeowner can lay down EnviroPLANK tile using an epoxy grout. Click here for a schematic drawing of the layout design.
EnviroGLAS Products holds the patent for the “method of making a terrazzo surface from recycled glass.” Terrazzo is an ancient craft that requires significant training and practice to achieve superior finishes. Our patented process achieves extremely even glass distribution and an expertly hand-leveled surface.
All EnviroGLAS Terrazzo products are easy and inexpensive to maintain. When cleaning the surface, use only neutral cleaners with a PH Factor between 7 and 10. In keeping with environmental stewardship, we encourage the use of environmentally friendly biodegradable cleaners with natural ingredients whenever possible. Click here for maintenance of specific products.
EnviroGLAS Terrazzo products are scratch resistant but not scratch proof. We recommend using a cutting board with EnviroSLAB and using care when moving furniture across EnviroPLANK and EnviroGLAS Terrazzo floors.
EnviroGLAS Terrazzo products are not affected by high traffic or salt.
Recycling glass and porcelain into extremely durable surfaces is an art and not an exact science. During the process, bits of foreign matter can mingle with the items being recycled. Also, the extreme hardness and non-porous nature of epoxy resin carries with it a super fast-cure time that does not always allow for all air bubbles to fully escape the mixture. The surface will be extremely low maintenance, but you may notice a stray color spec in your surface, or a tiny pinhole that has been filled with matching-colored grout. EnviroGLAS invites you to consider these occasional variations not as irregularities but as tiny mementos of the recycled nature and durability of the surface, that only add to its unique character and make for a more interesting environmental story.
EnviroGLAS offers a limited warranty on EnviroSLAB and EnviroPLANK for one year.
We can provide a number of references, depending on your area. Remember, this is a state of the art product, which no one else in the world offers. We have installed floors and/or countertops for Nike, McDonald's, Starbuck's and several national airports, schools, hotels, etc.
Cut EnviroSLAB and EnviroPLANK with a diamond blade wet saw, the same used for granite. Our products will cause no additional damage; just normal wear and tear.
While standard windows filter ultra violet rays sufficiently for any type of indoor application, epoxy is not recommended for use in outdoor applications where it will receive direct, unfiltered sunlight. Cement is typically used for outdoor terrazzo applications. However, there are some options for the exterior use of epoxy terrazzo, including the addition of UV inhibitors to the formula, use of a special, naturally UV resistant epoxy, and protective coatings. These approaches should be reserved for applications that can support substantial additional cost.
ORDERING QUESTIONS
The epoxy resin color will be the foundational color of your Terrazzo surface. This is just like selecting paint, and you can have any color you desire! For the best price, choose from our most popular 22 color options. Or, to fully customize your color, browse for paint swatches at your local Sherwin Williams or Benjamin Moore store, or ask their experts to match your color sample (or object) with a specific paint source. Custom epoxy resin color brings the price of EnviroSLAB to $70 per square foot and EnviroPLANK to $35 per square foot.
Think about the colors of glass you use everyday. They are clear, mirror, green, blue, amber, plate (which varies from a light green to gray) and a mixture of all colors. You can also choose EnviroGLO, which is clear glass embedded with aqua or green photo luminescent paint which makes it glow in the dark. EnviroGLO is extremely expensive, so we recommend using no more than 20% in your custom formula. We offer some additional colors including red and orange (from recycled stained glass windows), which come in shards of all sizes mixed together. These colors are considered custom and will raise the price of your EnviroSLAB or EnviroPLANK to the custom price.
Yes, you can request other colors of glass. They tend to be more expensive and often we cannot guarantee that the glass is post-use, or recycled.
EnviroGLAS comes in two sizes; #1, which is 1/4 down to 1/8 of an inch, and #2, which is 3/8 to 1/4 of an inch. You can also mix the two sizes of glass together.
Yes, you can request larger glass shards. They are quite stunning and the end result is a higher price. If you want to use a larger glass size, please contact us for a price.
Yes, that option is growing in popularity.
Yes, absolutely. After you select your glass and epoxy resin colors, we will send you a sample of what your finished slab will look like for approval. We believe our products are reasonably priced for what they actually are – unique, extremely durable, environmentally sustainable pieces of art. From homeowners to Whole Foods, Nike and the Maryland Science Center, we recognize that our product appeals to the buyer who is environmentally conscious, desires a particular color, and/or just wants something beautifully different and unique. The durability, sustainability and quality of our recycled surfaces are unsurpassed. EnviroSLAB is the only recycled glass/porcelain countertop that is non-porous and doesn’t have to be sealed every year or so. Other recycled glass countertops use a concrete binder and must be sealed. EnviroGLAS also offers total color customization and a wide range of recycled aggregate options, allowing you to create a one-of-a-kind signature countertop or floor. Color customization requires producing thousands of custom samples each year. While we do charge for samples, we don’t recoup all of our sample production and shipping costs. Also, EnviroGLAS products are made in the US and we pay our employees a living wage. That makes it more expensive than products manufactured in countries where the wages are lower. Not only is it economically sound to manufacture in the US, but it’s also better for the environment – less fossil fuels are burned in transport. We hope these issues matter to you, as they do to us, and that you will decide to purchase one of these beautiful, high quality products that support American working families and the environment. A rough estimate is 75¢ per pound.
Upon approval of your sample and 50% down payment, you should receive your custom product within 4-6 weeks.
ENVIROSLAB SPECIFIC QUESTIONS
The standard dimensions of EnviroSLAB are 27" x84" x1" (nominal) or 15.75 square feet.
The price for custom sizes can run over $100 a square foot, and our production equipment is limited to some degree. If you are interested in custom sizes at that price, please contact us directly.
Due to the newness of the product, we do not yet have a list of national fabricators. Any reputable fabricator familiar with granite and marble will be able to work with our product.
Yes we will. We provide a countertop template for the purpose of trying out the product.
EnviroSLAB is heat resistant but not heat proof. EnviroSLAB does not burn.
When not adhered to a backing such as cement, EnviroSLAB will deform at temperatures of 120º Fahrenheit and up. That does not mean that it breaks down or deteriorates, it just becomes soft – not good for a countertop because depending on the exposure conditions (wear, abrasion, etc.), it could become damaged.
EnviroSLAB is very comparable to granite. Both are heat resistant to a point and both products can stain. We have found however that if you use a quality granite polish such as Goddard's Granite and Marble polish (which can be purchased at your local grocery store), most minor scratches and stains can be removed.
Yes, we recommend EnviroPLANK can be used as a backsplash, and we also offer a 24” x 36” backsplash panel.
Yes, your fabricator will be able to undermount the sink.
Yes, your fabricator will be able to do that.
ENVIROSCAPE SPECIFIC QUESTIONS
Glass is heavier than bark mulch and will not blow away if the blower is held parallel to the ground to move the debris away from the surface.
ENVIROPLANK SPECIFIC QUESTIONS
It’s not necessary, but can help to level the cabinet and provide a barrier in case water gets underneath.
EnviroCOVE is a triangle-shaped trim that goes along the floor where the floor meets the wall. Please call for more details on EnviroCOVE.
The glossy finish PLANK when dry meets a .5 slip co-efficient. Rugs are recommended to avoid the floor getting wet. A matte finish, as well as the grouted seams will reduce slipperiness. Neither glossy nor matte finished EnviroPLANK requires a seal in bathroom applications.
We recommend Mapei or Traffic Master epoxy grout, available at Home Depot. Traffic Master comes in colors that match most of our standard epoxy colors.
ENVIRONMENTAL QUESTIONS
The environmental benefits of recycled glass EnviroGLAS Terrazzo products are numerous:
Click here to read more about how Extremely Green EnviroGLAS is.
For the full independent assessment, click here.
Because EnviroGLAS Terrazzo is custom-made, the percentage of recycled content varies depending on the customer order. You can request 100% post-consumer glass, 100% post-industrial glass, or a number of combinations of the two, if desired.
“Post-use” refers to glass that is either post-consumer or post-industrial.
Cured EnviroGLAS Terrazzo is inert and emits no VOCs. EnviroGLAS Terrazzo is composed of glass, which contains absolutely nothing environmentally hazardous, and epoxy resin. Morricite® epoxy certifies that it contains none of the EPA’s 17 “targeted chemicals” that the agency considers most dangerous, nor does it contain any phenols. Please see the MSDS safety sheets for a list of ingredients. EnviroGLAS Products Inc uses several brands of epoxy, depending on availability. You may request Morricite brand epoxy to ensure avoidance of these chemicals.
EnviroGLAS Terrazzo products are new enough that none have yet lived out their usefulness. If desired, they can be pulverized and reutilized in another Terrazzo product.
The cost of these tests has been cost-prohibitive for our small company, but EnviroGLAS is slated to complete these tests in the near future.
Not at this point. However, the majority of production is fueled by human energy -- spreading, troweling, and sprinkling. The machines are used only during short periods during grinding or polishing, are never left to idle, and emit only compressed air. Water is only used during the wet grind to significantly reduce dust particles that might negatively impact workers. We reuse all production waste. Once EnviroGLAS Terrazzo is installed, it is there for the life of the building.
EnviroGLAS • 5048 Tennyson Parkway, Suite 202 • Plano, Texas 75024
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What is the difference between EnviroSLAB and EnviroPLANK?
