Cork countertops functional, fashionable, sustainable
When it comes to countertops, Suberra may be the most un-granite surface imaginable. It's warm to the eyes and warm to the touch, and it offers a host of practical advantages over stone slabs. “It's a really nice surface that people can't stop running their hands over, in part because it's not a familiar feel. There's almost a suede feel to it when it's sanded and finished,” said Greg Lohr of Eco Supply Center, which distributes the product line.
If you worry that cork isn't tough enough for the job, think again. Cork has been used in flooring for decades, where it's appreciated for its resiliency, durability, and beauty. Like butcher block, it may prevent a dropped dish from chipping or breaking, yet it's rugged enough to use as a cutting surface. And spills from coffee or wine wipe off with no evidence of staining. In addition, Subberra is water resistant, heat resistant, and cork's natural anti-microbial properties make it resistant to E.coli, salmonella and listeria.
Suberra is composed of material left over from the production of wine bottle stoppers, highly compressed into 1-1/4 inch slabs with a NUAF (no added urea formaldehyde) polyurethane binder. Its light weight pays off in low shipping costs, and any fabricator who's comfortable with wood will find it easy to cut and glue.
As a rapidly renewable, non-emitting, post-industrial recycled product, Suberra may qualify for LEED credits in as many as 4 categories.
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