*
Does anybody have any experience with zinc countertops? We are remodeling our kitchen and plan on using zinc. We are currently researching various ways to make the counters and would be glad to share our ideas/experiences with anyone who’s interested.
Discussion Forum
Discussion Forum
Up Next
Video Shorts
Featured Story
The RealTruck AMP Research Bedsteps give you easy access to your truck-bed storage.
Featured Video
Highlights
"I have learned so much thanks to the searchable articles on the FHB website. I can confidently say that I expect to be a life-long subscriber." - M.K.
Replies
*
Jim,
I must admit, I've never seen one. I'm interested! Do you have any pics?
Feel free to email me direct if you don't want to tie up board space although I bet others will be interested as well.
Mike
*Try Soupcan or Brookswood on the internet. Those are the only two outfits I found advertising zinc countertops on line. They have some nice photos. Also, various French bistro restaurants have zinc bar tops.It's zinc sheeting .02" - .06", applied like laminate; sometimes they solder the seams, allowing a lot more freedom in the design; then the whole thing gets buffed (very easy with a scotchbrite pad)to a nice soft whitish-gray (or polished even more). My wife and I saw a very fancy zinc bar in Bouchon restaurant in Napa Valley. It was made in France.
*Jim, You know, now that I've seen pics, I do remember seeing some here and there while I lived in Europe. They are unique. I wonder if they are $$$ as stainless or other metal tops? I wonder if you could laminate them much like you do other laminated tops?Mike
*What!!! Why don't get some lead lined beer mugs while you're at it? Is it just me or is there a good reason why one shouldn't mix foodstuff with surfaces made of sulfide metals?
*Did a quick search for an MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet, I think) and didn't find anything for pure zinc but several for zinc alloys. Doesn't seem much worse than aluminum. A sample MSDS from:http://www.purityzinc.com/msds-alloy2-5-7.htmEEC Classification - zinc, aluminum and copper are not listed as dangerous substances.Hazards Identification Skin / Eyes: Acute: Contact with zinc powder or dust or zinc oxide fume may cause local irritation. Inhalation:When excessive zinc or aluminum oxide fumes are inhaled, it may cause flu-like symptoms or fever, chills and nausea. Ingestion:When ingested in excessive amounts, zinc can irritate the stomach resulting in nausea and vomiting. Effects of Chronic Exposure to Product:Skin Contact: Prolonged or repeated skin contact with zinc dust powder may cause a mild dermatitis. Carginogen: Zinc and aluminumare not listed as carcinogens by OSHA, the National Toxicology Program (NTP), the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), or EEC.The zinc website http://www.zinc.org/ claims that we need to ingest more zinc as zinc deficiency is among the most common mineral deficiencies. They also list a product that uses zinc and copper granules for water treatment. So maybe you just haven't had enough zinc today...
*From what I've read, zinc countertops are not at all toxic. Zinc occurs in nature with a little lead in it, but let's face it, after all, lead water pipes were standard for many years and are still in much use. Copper doesn't sound that much better for ingestion, yet it is used for both water service and countertops. Unless you're going to lick and chew on your countertop every day I think it's pretty safe. It can also be waxed. Don't know how it can be characterized as a "sulfide metal." Chemically that doesn't make any sense to me.I just scanned CFR21 and don't see zinc on the list of prohibited substances. Zinc oxide is on the GRAS list.Zinc sheet can be laminated to plywood or chipboard just like you do formica type products. Because it's metal you need to be extra careful when you cut and rout it! 1/32" sheet runs about $10/ft2.
*Also, playing with my zinc samples, it looks like it can easily be bent around a small radius corner, which is a neat trick you could never do with laminate! I haven't experimented yet, but it looks like it can be drawn and hammered to conform to various shapes.
*Jim--Sulfide metals because they are commonly found in nature as zinc sulfide, lead sulfide, copper sulfide, etc.Cliff
*If zinc is a problem, then I would guess that all of us with galvanized pipes are in big trouble. Although, maybe that's why my hearing went south and I seem to need reading glasses these days...
*Uhh......Rich.......do know what "galvanizing" is? As in galvanized pipes?i (A hint: look at the title of this thread)Also, there is no such thing as a "sulfide metal". You b canget sulfides of virtually every metal known, as sulfur is about as reactive as oxygen. But these are chemical compounds, and are completely different from the starting materials. Sodium metal reacts violently with water, and chlorine is extremely toxic. Mix them together chemically and you have salt (sodium chloride).(Oh, yes: in case someone asks, pure SULFUR is quite low in toxicity)
*Jim, since you have samples, I am courious about reactivity to weak acids.I seem to remember that zinc, like aluminum, forms an oxide, when exposed to air, that is actually stronger than the metal itself. But, I also think that zinc (pure) was quite reactive with strong inorganic acids and somewhat reactive with weak organic acids like acetic acid found in vinigar and orange juice.I am relying on memory of college chemistry courses 30+ years ago, so maybe I am way off. I was just wondering if a spill of vinegar would cause a bright or dull spot on a zinc surface? Maybe you could test one of your samples and tell us what happens.Dave
*Jim...Once you get more information, I'd be interested in finding out how much the material costs. It doesn't sound like it's that difficult to install (welding plus adhesives), so I'd be curious how much the zinc itself would cost.Thanks!-- Josh
*Dave, when my wife and I were at Bouchon restaurant in Napa valley we sat at a beautiful zinc bar. The bartenderess showed us a spot that formed where wine spilled. It was whitish. She said the spots occur and then disappear. I am told that one of the love-it-or-hate-it characteristics of zinc counters is that they oxidize and stain to some extent. However, I would be surprised if you couldn't buff off most stains. Also I understand you can seal the surface with wax or some other temporary coating and lessen the prospect of such stains.I haven't been to Paris but I understand that zinc bar tops are very standard there.I'll try a lemon and some venegar and report the results here.
*Josh, somewhere in the thread I mentioned the cost of zinc sheet. 1/32" material runs about $10/ft2, or about $8/lb.We're talking about some pretty ductile stuff here. I wonder what happens when you solder it; does it warp? Also, how can we solder it when it's on the substrate? Not possible without burning the wood unless maybe a backup strip applied. Also, keep it nice and flat might be a challenge. A wavy countertop would not do...
*Here's an interesting link to a company that sells zinc: http://www.neymetals.com/ZincAlloys/zinc_sheets.htm
*That's the place where I got my samples, Josh.
*All right, I put a drop of red wine and a drop of vinegar on the sample where I had buffed it with a scotchbrite pad, and left them for 5-7 minutes. They both left whitish spots. I then put a drop of red wine on and wiped it off immediately. It left a similar spot. Overnite the spots have not changed much. Note that this sample is as-is from the supplier and has not had the 1 year + needed to develop the oxide patina.
*Jim, thanks for the test and follow up.Dave
*
Does anybody have any experience with zinc countertops? We are remodeling our kitchen and plan on using zinc. We are currently researching various ways to make the counters and would be glad to share our ideas/experiences with anyone who's interested.