Millions of tires are trashed in the US every year, piling up and eventually landing up in landfill. A few creative individuals use old tires as planters and some turn them inside-out and make tire swings for children. But that’s not the answer because far too many end up negatively affecting the environment.
On a positive note, there are companies, like Native Custom Stone, that have found innovative uses for old tires, or more specifically the rubber that can be recycled from used tires.
Using Old Tires Instead of Discarding Them
Crumb rubber technology, which is what Native Custom Stone takes advantage of, is a scientific process that enables us to use the rubber from old, worn tires for different purposes.
So instead of landing up in landfill, where it will take five to eight decades, or perhaps even longer, to decompose, the tire cord and steel in the tires is removed, and the rubber is recycled. Crumb rubber technology involves processing the rubber to produce particles of different sizes that may be used for different purposes.
Native Custom Stone uses crumb rubber manufactured from old tires to make ingenious molded Go-Stone panels. Created primarily for the do-it-yourself (DIY) market, Go-Stone panels provide a durable, lightweight simulated stone veneer that is quick and easy to install. This environmentally friendly product is ideal for inside feature walls, fireplace surrounds, bar nooks, and even stairwells. It can be used imaginatively to completely transform kitchens, and even bathrooms.
Even though they are made from tires which are all made of black rubber, the process used to make Go-Stone panels results in a number of different color finishes, all of which are stone colored – of course!
Installing Go-Stone Panels
Not only do Go-Stone panels help save the environment, they look amazing and are incredibly easy to install. No special construction skills are required, and no specialized tools are needed. There are three basic panel types, plus corners, each a different size and with a different look. By mixing and matching them randomly, it is a simple matter to achieve a totally realistic finish.
Go-Stone simulated stone panels are laid using a standard ceramic tile and stone adhesive which dries quite quickly. The only things an installer must be careful of is to keep the top of each panel level, and to ensure the Go-Stone panels are abutted right next to one another.
Native Custom Stone’s Go-Stone panels and other simulated stone products are available from Home Depot online or from Build Direct.
