Recycled Glass Countertops

THREE: MIXING

Casting a recycled glass terrazzo mix is very similar to casting ordinary concrete with one notable exception – the aggregate is really sharp. The crushed glass will tear through thin latex gloves so for this casting we’ll use heavy duty rubber gloves for protection.

What You’ll Need

Step 1 – Combine Liquid Modifier and Pigment

NOTE: Mixing should be done outside, and casting should be done inside.
Wear a particulate mask and disposable gloves while mixing.
Shake the Liquid Modifier well before pouring it into the 15 gallon mixing bucket.
Add the entire bag of Indigo Pigment to the bucket of Liquid Modifier.
Blend with a paddle mixer to thoroughly blend pigment into modifier.

Step 2 – Add Terrazzo Mix

Add 1/3 bag (16 lbs.) of Terrazzo Mix to pigment and modifier blend.
Vigorously mix until all the concrete mixture is thoroughly blended and free of lumps or unmixed material.
Occasionally scrape material from the sides of the bucket with a trowel, mixing thoroughly.
Continue adding Terrazzo Mix 1/3 bag at a time, repeating the above steps until 1 entire bag of mix has been added and fully blended.
As the terrazzo mix is blended into the modifier, the mixture becomes thicker; hold the paddle mixer firmly to prevent kick-back.

Step 3 – Add Recycled Bottle Glass Aggregate

Add 25 lbs. of recycled blue glass aggregate into the terrazzo mixture and blend with paddle mixer until all glass is evenly distributed.
Always wear a particle mask when working near glass powder or dust.
Add another 25 lbs. of the glass aggregate and blend.
Add final 25 lbs. of recycled glass aggregate and mix until all glass is evenly distributed throughout the terrazzo concrete mix.

Step 4 – Adjust Mix Consistency

Add 2-3 cups water as necessary to maintain a semi-pourable consistency.

Previous: Forming

This is a basic 3/4″ countertop slab that requires very little effort to form. We were able to build the entire countertop mold in less than 1 hour.

Next: Casting

The same vibrating methods are used to precast recycled glass countertops and traditional concrete countertops. This guide uses two Vibco US450T vibrators.