The average cost to install recycled glass countertops is $2,700
The cost to install recycled glass countertops ranges from $1,500 to $10,500, averaging $2,700.
Material costs range from $55 to $130 per square foot, while labor costs are $30 to $80 per hour.
Factors influencing cost include countertop size, glass type, brand, installation complexity, and additional features.
Installing recycled glass countertops adds durability, unique aesthetics, and eco-friendliness to your kitchen or bathroom.
Hiring a professional countertop installer ensures correct and seamless installation, providing high-quality, lasting results for your home.
This article was updated using automation technology and thoroughly reviewed for accuracy by HomeAdvisor Editor Ryan Noonan.
Installing recycled glass countertops costs between $1,500 and $10,500, with most homeowners paying around $2,700 for a 30-square-foot kitchen. The top factors influencing the total price include labor rates, design, thickness, edging, and custom work. Recycled glass countertops offer durability, unique aesthetics, and eco-friendliness, making them a valuable addition to your kitchen or bathroom. Budgeting carefully and hiring a professional installer ensures quality and longevity for this long-term investment.
Several factors influence the cost of recycled glass countertops, including labor, colors and patterns, thickness, edging and seams, and custom work. Understanding these factors helps you budget effectively for your project.
Local countertop installers charge $30 to $80 per hour or $10 to $30 per square foot for labor. Factors affecting labor costs include complex countertop layouts requiring additional time and precision, remote or hard-to-access locations incurring extra charges, seasonal demand driving up rates, and on-site fabrication increasing labor efforts.
The colors and patterns of recycled glass countertops impact their appearance and cost. Small glass pieces create a softer look, while large chips offer a contemporary aesthetic. Some countertops feature unique manufacturing marks or identifiable features. Selecting rare colors like blues and greens increases material costs due to their scarcity.
Thickness plays a significant role in the cost of recycled glass countertops. Thicker slabs require more material and production effort, increasing the overall price. However, they offer enhanced durability and a more substantial appearance, making them a popular choice despite the higher cost.
Edging and seams significantly impact the cost of recycled glass countertops. Upgraded edges, additional seams, and curved or rounded corners require more labor and precision, increasing the overall expense. Contractors charge $10 to $35 per linear foot for non-standard edging. These design elements enhance aesthetic appeal and contribute to the countertops' durability and customization.
The average cost of installing a recycled glass slab countertop is $75 per square foot. Slab countertops allow for a more seamless surface, making them popular in kitchens.
Because glass tiles are lighter, they’re much more affordable, costing $3 per square foot for materials
Custom work—including sink and utility cutouts, matching backsplashes, or adding LED lights—increases the cost of recycled glass countertops. These personalized features require additional materials, labor, and precision, contributing to the overall expense. Expect to add $30 to $80 per hour to your labor costs for custom work.
How much you spend on installing a recycled glass countertop can vary depending on the type of glass, including crushed, sea, and tempered glass counter surfaces.
Countertop Type | Average Cost per Sq. Ft. |
---|---|
Crushed glass | $50–$100 |
Sea glass | $100 |
Tempered glass | $75–$115 |
At between $50 and $100 per square foot, crushed glass is a common and affordable type of recycled glass countertop—different shades of reused glass mix with resin or concrete to create a unique slab.
You can add sea glass to your recycled glass countertop for $100 per square foot. The glass particles, combined with resin or concrete, create a slab with pops of blue and green.
Because sea glass is semi-rare, these countertops are a bit more expensive, with materials alone costing $70 to $100 per square foot compared to $50 to $100 per square foot for crushed glass.
Tempered glass counters cost $75 to $115 per square foot and look like one large sheet of thick glass. Because tempered glass is heat-treated, it's stronger and more durable than other options, making it more expensive. Manufacturers frequently include installation in the cost because this material is heavy and difficult to install.
You'll find economy and high-end manufacturers when shopping for recycled glass countertops. Some big-box stores may carry some of the economy brands. But often, you'll have to work with a specialty distributor to order your glass countertop.
Here are the most popular manufacturers and their average cost range for recycled glass countertops.
Manufacturer | Average Price per Sq. Ft. |
---|---|
Bio-Glass | $85–$115 |
Curava | $50–$70 |
ThinkGlass | $200 |
Vetrazzo | $85–$165 |
Vetrostone | $85–$165 |
Bio-Glass countertops cost anywhere from $95 to $150 per square foot for labor and materials. These countertops are made by melting glass into a solid sheet, and they contain 100% recycled glass and are 100% recyclable. This melded surface contains hollow glass, tableware, and factory shards, depending on the color and availability of the product.
Curava countertops, including installation, fall between $60 and $100 per square foot. They comprise roughly 60% recycled glass, 30% natural quartz, and 10% resin binder. Curava offers a 15-year limited warranty on their products.
This thermoformed glass costs $200 to $400 per square foot with installation. While it’s 100% recyclable, this brand only uses 25% recycled materials in manufacturing. ThinkGlass is a high-end product that comes in solid, translucent slabs with the option to add LED lighting under the surface.
Vetrazzo recycled glass countertops cost $95 to $200, fully installed, and are one of the most expensive brands on our list. Vetrazzo countertops are similar in price to the cost of quartz countertops.
Vetrazzo is a high-end brand making only 16 recycled glass countertop slabs monthly. The brand employs eight skilled artisans to hand-make each slab, and the company that manufactures the brand, Polycor, aims to be carbon-neutral by 2025. These countertops come with a 10-year warranty.
Budget between $85 and $170 for Vetrostone countertops. This brand is unique because it blends the best of glass and quartz countertops into a single product: engineered quartz with recycled glass, sea glass, and even seashells. The countertops come with a one-year limited warranty.
Installing a recycled glass slab countertop is a complex, labor-intensive task–it’s heavy, requires precise installation, and may need extra structural support. A professional countertop installer can assess your space, make necessary adjustments, and ensure everything is done safely and correctly. Consider hiring an experienced countertop contractor near you for a smooth, stress-free installation.
No place is more important than your home, which is why HomeAdvisor connects homeowners with local pros to transform their houses into homes they love. To help homeowners prepare for their next project, HomeAdvisor provides readers with accurate cost data and follows strict editorial guidelines. After a project is complete, we survey real customers about the costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We pair this data with research from reputable sources, including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, academic journals, market studies, and interviews with industry experts—all to ensure our prices reflect real-world projects.
Bathroom glass countertops are an excellent choice. They’re durable, scratch-resistant, and easy to clean due to their nonporous surface. Their resistance to water and stains ensures a long-lasting, hygienic solution ideal for bathrooms. The sleek design of recycled glass countertops adds a modern, inviting look while enhancing functionality and value.
Recycled granite isn’t the same thing as recycled glass. Granite is a natural stone material, while recycled glass is human-made. Composite glass contains a combination of different materials, but those must be specified as "recycled materials" for the composite countertop to be labeled a recycled glass countertop. Granite countertops tend to be more affordable than glass countertops.
Glass countertops have a lot of great attributes, but the biggest drawback is the price. The average cost to install countertops is between $15 and $70 per square foot, while recycled glass countertops cost from $65 to $140 per square foot—up to $200 per square foot for high-end materials. Glass countertops can also break or chip from sharp or heavy objects, and glass countertop repair costs can be expensive.
Recycled glass countertops are durable but can chip or crack under excessive force. Placing too much weight on the corners or dropping heavy objects on the surface may cause damage. Repairs can be costly, so handling these countertops with care and avoiding dropping heavy or large objects on the surface is important.
Recycled glass countertops are resistant to scorching and burning due to their manufacturing process, allowing you to place hot pans and plates without immediate concern. However, it's best not to leave hot pans on the countertop for extended periods. Using potholders or trivets protects the surface and prolongs its lifespan.
With proper care and maintenance, recycled glass countertops can last 10 to 20 years. They are engineered to resist heat, stains, and daily wear, ensuring their functionality and appearance remain intact over time. Regular cleaning and prompt attention to minor repairs enhance their durability, offering a sustainable solution for your home.