Behind the Scenes: Reclaimed Gym Floors + Granicrete 

We love a chance to re-purpose existing materials. Recently, Granicrete Minnesota had the opportunity to re-purpose gym floors into countertops with DRAS Cases, Inc for Buffalo Wild Wings. Check it out!

DRAS Cases, Inc didn’t want to use epoxy sealers on these service counters, and they consulted Epoxy Experts US for guidance. They opted for NSF-certified Granicrete sealers. These counters are bacteria-resistant and won’t stain – not even buffalo sauce stands a chance against our non-porous sealers.

These counters will be installed in one of Buffalo Wild Wings’ many North Carolina locations.

The Four Rs of Going Green

Summer is here and it’s a great time to keep your green habits going strong! Here are our Four Rs of Going Green:

1. Recycle: Trash, clothing, even furniture! You probably already recycle your paper, plastic etc. But do you ever think to recycle your business or work clothing? Instead of throwing them away, because you are tired of them or they are outdated, old or worn try donating them to Workforce Centers or Women’s Shelters. Every state has them. These non-profits give to those in need – at no charge – your gently used clothing to people starting a career and have nothing to wear. Believe me, you’ll feel great knowing that you have helped someone look good and feel confident in their new job! And they didn’t have to pay a penny!

2. Re-purpose: A big trend right now! HGTV & DIY T.V. shows, new re-purpose stores, and DIY’ers are thinking Green and creating new ways of using old products or things you may already have around your house. You might use great-grandpa’s old tools as towel or coat hooks. Grandma’s doilies look vintage and stunning framed on the wall. Pintrest is a fantastic way to find ideas to re-purpose.

3. Re-surface: Have you ever thought of painting your cabinets? Your furniture? Resurfacing your existing counters, interior & exterior floors, shower walls, patios, or garage floors? Perhaps you don’t like the color, pattern or design. There is no need to tear out what you have if it is still in good shape. There are products out there that are “green” and won’t fill the landfill with your old, outdated products! Newer paints have low VOC’s and wonderful colors. Re-surfacing products like Granicrete, which is made of a very thin, durable layers of concrete that has the look of stone, tile, wood is a wonderful use of your existing surfaces.

4. Refresh: Don’t get new accessories, furniture, lamps or pictures; Just move them into a different room or arrange them in a new way! Try mixing up your accessory or picture arrangements that you traditionally had together. It’s amazing how just re-arranging will make the room look fresher and you’ll feel renewed in your new living space!

New Year, New Resolution: Green is the New Black

2014 came and went. It’s a new year, you’ve made new resolutions, and there’s no better time to start than now! Maybe you’ve made a resolution to be more environmentally aware, or you want to lower your carbon footprint. Shout out to you! We are all about that lifestyle, because green is the new black.

Going green, that is.

Updating your home can be a huge weight on both your mind and the environment. Granicrete is here to help ease both concerns. You already know that we’re a cost-effective alternative to traditional stone, but did you know that we are also eco-friendly? From your 1970’s kitchen to your pink floral bathroom, we’re here to help you go green and update your home in the process!

Let’s start with 5 simple tips for an eco-friendly kitchen remodel:

1. Use existing structures as much as possible. From your kitchen island to your current countertops, Granicrete goes over existing surfaces. Since we overlay our material, we aren’t adding any waste to landfills. When it comes to walls, you may be looking for an open concept kitchen. Although moving walls is a great way to have an open concept plan, keeping the “bones” of your kitchen as is will save you time, money, and hassle.

2. Reuse plumbing and electric. Cabinets can be a hassle to remodel. Shape and size do matter! Paint or replace your existing storage space with cabinetry similar in size and shape so that existing plumbing and electrical wiring can be reused. A simple coat of paint can breathe new life into your kitchen without making you tear out your cabinets.

3. Open up! Glass cabinet doors look contemporary and chic. Update your cabinets with glass doors for easy access to dishes, a trendy look, and a go-green approach to cabinet remodeling. If you want to go completely open, remove your cabinet doors all together! Check out these stunning from Jenna Burger designs for reference.

4. Be aware of your paint choices. Ever heard of VOCs? VOC stands for “volatile organic compound,” and refers to toxins put off by paint even years after application. Sounds bad, right? Don’t worry! You can read more here.  In short, go green by choosing your paints based not only on color, but also Low VOC status.

5. Reduce, Reuse, Recycle. Your backsplash probably needs some TLC. Show your tender loving care for your kitchen by using recycled glass tiles, concrete, or tin for your back splash. You can get creative with paint, old CDs mosaics, or even Granicrete!

There you have it. Going green has never been easier. From resurfacing with Granicrete or creating a CD mosaic cabinet door, you’re taking steps toward an environmentally friendly home.