On Page:

1. Average Cost to Install Recycled Glass Coutnertops
2. Glass Countertop Prices
   1. Tile vs. Slab
   2. Tempered
   3. Sea Glass
   4. Crushed
   5. Vetrazzo
   6. IceStone
   7. Curava
   8. Eco by Consentino
   9. More
3. Installation Costs
4. Cost Factors
5. Recycled Glass vs. Granite
6. DIY vs. Hiring Pro
7. FAQ’s

Recycled Glass Countertop Installation Costs Per Square Foot

Recycled Glass Countertop Prices

On average, recycled glass countertops cost $75 per square foot for materials alone. This number can fluctuate depending on the brand and type. Materials range from $50 to $110 per square foot+.

Because they’re recycled, you might think that these countertops would be on the lower end of the price scale. But in reality, this high-end material is comparable to the cost of granite and quartz. Some brands allow you to purchase the countertop material and install it yourself, saving money. But many require professional installation and bundle the cost of labor into their countertop pricing.

The typical prices for a basic countertop without cut-outs, backsplashes or non-standard edges and corners can break down like this:

• Minimum: $50 per square foot
• Average: $75 per square foot
• Maximum: $110+ per square foot

Glass Kitchen Countertop Tiles vs. Slab Prices

Glass tiles are about $3 per square foot for materials. Slab counters are considerably more at $75 per square foot. Both require professional installation given the weight of slab and the skill required for properly aligning tiles to a surface.

Tempered Glass Countertop Cost

Tempered glass counters cost from $75 to $115 per square foot to install and look like one large sheet of thick glass. Because it’s heat-treated, it’s stronger and more durable than other options like composite or sea glass, making it more expensive. Manufacturers frequently include installation in the cost because this material is heavy and difficult to install.

Sea Glass Countertop Cost

Add sea glass to your recycled glass countertops for about $100 per square foot, installed. The glass particles combined with resin or concrete create a slab with pops of blue and green. Because it’s semi-rare, this material is a bit more expensive at $70 per square foot compared to regular recycled glass.

Crushed Glass

At between $50 and $100 per square foot of materials, crushed glass is a common kind of recycled glass countertop. Different shades of reused glass mix with resin or concrete to create a unique slab.

Vetrazzo Cost

At $85 to $165 per square foot of materials, Vetrazzo is a high-end brand. Its pricing is comparable to the cost of quartz countertops. They come with a 10-year limited warranty.

IceStone Cost

IceStone is $45 or more per square foot of materials. It comes with a 10-year limited warranty and is composed of 75 percent recycled glass by weight.

Curava Pricing

Curava countertops sit between $50 and $70 per square foot with installation and are composed of 60 percent recycled glass. They offer a 15-year limited warranty on their products. This material is only for indoor use. Because it is difficult to install, this manufacturer includes professional labor costs in the price.

Eco By Consentino Prices

Similar to the price of mid-range granite, which sits at about $55 to $65 per square foot, Eco by Consentino is yet another option for eco-friendly countertops. This product does not require surface sealing and contains at least 70 percent recycled content. It has a limited warranty of25 years. Get in touch with a pro to get pricing information on this product.

Vetrostone

This product is engineered quartz combined with recycled glass, sea glass and seashells. Vetrostone offers a limited 1-year manufacturer warranty against defects. Contact a pro to get a quote for this product.

GEOS Recycled Glass Counters

At between $70 and $85 per square foot, installed, GEOS Recycled Glass Surfaces promise no staining, sealing, waxing or glass pop-outs for your new counters. They offer a limited 15-year warranty on their products.

Bio-Glass

Bio-Glass contains up to 100 percent recycled glass, and costs anywhere from $85 to $115 per square foot of materials. This melded surface contains hollow glass, tableware and/or factory shards, depending on the color and availability of product. It’s made by melting glass into a solid sheet.

ThinkGlass

This thermoformed glass costs $200+ per square foot with installation and uses 25 percent recycled materials. ThinkGlass comes in solid, translucent slabs with the option to add LED lighting under the surface.

Environite

This solid surface consists of epoxies, recycled glass, refractory and other discarded materials to create a “green” countertop. It contains 90 percent recycled materials and comes with a limited 5-year warranty. Talk to a proto get full pricing information on this project.

Glass Countertop Installation Cost Per Square Foot

Glass countertops are about $90 per square foot, installed. Expect to pay anywhere from $30 to $80 per hour, or $10 to $30 per square foot for labor alone.

Here are some factors that can increase labor costs:

• Complex countertop layouts. Special designs can increase costs significantly.
• Homes that are difficult to reach. If your job site is located far from the supplier, you can expect to pay more for transportation. Those in major urban areas create a problem for parking delivery trucks and vehicles
• Seasonal and workload factors
• Adding LED lights
• On-site fabrication

Be sure to discuss any of these with contractors as some of them can add considerably to your end cost.

Cost Factors

There are a few variables to keep in mind when shopping for recycled glass countertops. These will affect the final price of your project to varying degrees, so they are well worth researching prior to the start of your project.

Higher overall costs are possible for:

• Thicker glass slabs
• Upgraded edges
• More seams
• Sink and utility cutouts
• Backsplashes that match
• Curved or rounded corners
• Split levels, slopes or grooves
• Rare colors like blues and greens

Keep in mind that colors fall in and out of fashion, and the countertop pattern can affect the price as well as the appearance. Small, fine glass pieces soften the look. Large chips give a counter a contemporary look. Some of the pieces still have manufacturing marks or other identifying features which many people find to be a sort of “treasure hunt.”

Lower both labor and material prices by DIY installing glass tiles. However, if the tiles are going in a high-use area like the kitchen, it’s best to hire a pro. They can pop out from heavy use if placed incorrectly.

Recycled Glass Countertops Cost vs. Granite

Granite:

• Natural stone made of feldspar, mica and quartz.
• Quarried in large pieces before cutting it into slabs or tiles.
• No two pieces look alike.
• Some slabs have pits, fissures and marks, which can lend character to the stone.

Glass:

• Manmade material created with old bottles, windows, lightbulbs and other post-consumer and post-industrial items.
• Melted, crushed, recolored and/or fused together with resin or cement.
• Many color options available.

Appearance

Granite:

• Comes in dark and light colors, with tight, granular patterns or colorful veins and streaks.
• Color varies from section to section.

Glass:

• Light to neutral backgrounds, varying sizes of glass flecked throughout.
• Transparent, opaque or clear glass particles.
• Pin-prick to dime-sized glass piece.
• Uniform colors.
• Also comes in thermoformed, clear, solid sheets.

Care

Granite:

• Requires maintenance to avoid staining.
• Use gentle or stone cleansers.
• Seal every year or two.

Glass:

• Varies in maintenance requirements.
• Cement-bound slabs require routine sealing, resin-bound ones do not.
• Check with manufacturer for most accurate care requirements.

Repair

Granite:

• Expect a rough surface if it breaks.
• If they haven’t shattered, glue pieces back with stone adhesive.

Glass:

• Expect a sharp surface if it breaks.
• Use stone or epoxy adhesives to replace a piece with a clean break.

DIY vs. Hiring a Countertop Contractor

Installing a recycled glass slab countertop is not an easy DIY project. It’s best to find a countertop contractor for the job. It’s labor intensive, and the material is likely to be very heavy. Experienced installers will know if your existing structure requires supports to accommodate the weight, so be sure to check reviews and references of countertop and cabinet contractors.

FAQs

What’s the cheapest recycled glass countertop?

The cheapest recycled glass countertops are typically composite glass. However, this option can be more expensive depending on the manufacturer, color and thickness of the slab.

Are bathroom glass countertops a good idea?

Glass countertops in a bathroom are a good idea because they are durable and scratch resistant.

Is recycled granite or composite glass the same thing as recycled glass?

Recycled granite is not the same thing as recycled glass. Granite is a natural material, while glass is manmade.

Composite glass contains a combination of different materials, but they must be specified as "recycled" for it to be a recycled glass countertop.

Can I DIY install glass counters?

It’s not a good idea to DIY install glass slabs because they are heavy and require professional knowledge. It is possible to DIY install glass tile counters if you have a lot of time and an eagle-eye for detail.

What are the differences between black, white and blue glass counters?

There is no large difference between black and white varieties. Blue countertops are also similar in price unless you get an expensive, rare shade of the color.

Where can I buy glass countertops?

You can buy glass countertops from certified manufacturers, fabricators and distributors. It’s a good idea to talk to a pro first, so they can help you make the best decision on your material.