Woodstock artists recycle waste glass into tiles

SUSTAINABLE LIVING

By Rita A. Leonard

The Bee, Mar 4, 2009, Updated Oct 30, 2009

In front of their custom-made electric kiln, Megan and Jason Coleman point out some Stardust Glass tiles, and the molds that create them.

Rita A. Leonard / THE BEE

Woodstock couple Jason & Megan Coleman have created a unique business — manufacturing hand-made tiles from recycled glass for builders and remodelers.

Stardust Glass, founded in 2006, uses recycled glass granules and color oxides to create nearly 50 vibrant colors for their products. The eco-friendly company fuses the base materials in a custom-made electric kiln, using lower temperatures than traditional liquefied glass furnaces. The process creates jewel-like tiles with rounded edges, adding depth and a luminous sparkle to the finished surface.

The handmade glass tiles come in both high-gloss and sanded finishes, to create a unique and personalized look. “We are now ready to launch a new, more affordable line of decorative ceramic tiles, which incorporate over 50% pre-consumer recycled glass as well as clay,” says Jason. “We plan to offer these ceramic tiles in about 25 earthtones for folks who are not quite ready to experiment with the bright colors of our fused glass products.”

The Colemans began the business in the garage of their Woodstock home. “But we started getting so many orders, we had no place to put them,” says Megan. “Storage is everything in this business.” A year and a half later, with customers ordering from coast to coast, Stardust Glass has moved to their current location at S.E. 50th and Tibbetts, where they have tripled their work area, and now supply about a dozen dealers nationwide.

“We focus on the creative and artistic elements of tile-making, as well as support the green building industry,” explains Jason, who designs the special molds from recycled glass and cement. Raised by ceramic artist parents, he developed an early interest in the ceramic industry. Later, he earned a B.A. in Art, and learned about mold-making in the building trade. He worked six years at Pratt & Larson Tile & Stone before leaving to work full time at his own Stardust Glass in the fall of 2007.

The Colemans started their business part-time, spending every evening developing pattern molds, colors, and styles. “Our fused glass tiles range from 87-97% recycled glass, made from recycled pre-consumer glass granules that we receive from Pacific Northwest suppliers,” reveals Megan. “The granules come from clear waste glass obtained from door and window companies, which is ground to a consistency like fine sugar. We mix this with ceramic glaze pigments in specific formulas for each color.”

Megan has also been working with a Green business consultant to better explain to consumers how Stardust Glass tiles contribute to the LEED point system. This certification, established by the U.S. Green Building Council, helps projects qualify for higher ratings as eco-friendly construction, and enhances their certified Green classification.

So far, Stardust Glass tiles have been installed mostly in residences across the country, in kitchens, bathrooms, and on fireplace facades. “Our current goal is to connect more closely with the commercial field,” says Megan. “We’re intrigued by the limitless possibilities of color and shape in the production of handmade glass tiles, but our new line of ceramic tiles will cost less.

“We are also open to creating custom shapes and colors. We can put together sample kits for professionals, and we offer a color catalog online at: www.stardustglasstile.com.”

The green process used by Stardust Glass is not yet common in the industry, but the rising Woodstock company has seen increased interest in their products.

“Although we have dealers who sell our tiles, we are often asked to provide tours for college design students and folks in the green building industry,” comments Megan. “We’re happy to open our doors to anyone interested in learning more about how we manufacture our recycled glass tiles. Call for information at 503 / 928-3076, or explore the color displays on our Internet website.”

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