UltraGlas Countertops
- Manufactured by UltraGlas
- 800-777-2332; www.ultraglas.com
- Cost: $160 to $200 per sq. ft.
Glass may look fragile, but consider this: It’s denser than marble or granite, says Margaret O’Connor, tile manager of UltraGlas. A manufacturer of all things glass, the Chatsworth, Calif.-based company is also a supplier of glass countertops for kitchens and baths. The slabs are made using “kiln-formed” technology, in which a flat of colored glass is heated and “slumped” into a textured mold, retaining the shape after cooling.
Available in 34 standard colors and 15 standard designs, UltraGlas countertops are generally 3/4 in. thick and custom-made to conform to clients’ size and fabrication needs. Custom colors and texture patterns are also available. An optional opaque back layer obscures finishing materials and below-the-counter compartments. UltraGlasE, made of 100% recycled glass, will be introduced for countertops within the next six months, O’Connor says. It will be available in clear-glass (which has a natural green tint) and colorless, low-iron versions.
Because it’s nonporous, glass won’t stain, but it will scratch and show fingerprints, both of which can be disguised by the slab’s textured and colored designs. Fabrication and delivery take about four to six weeks, longer for custom designs. Most patterned countertops can be installed either debossed—with the textured side face down and visible through the smooth side of the glass—or embossed, with the texture exposed on the top side. Installation by a professional glazier is recommended.
