We love talking about GLASSeco but we tend to get asked the same questions over and over again, so we hope this list of FAQs will help to answer yours. And if it doesn't do please call us for more help.

Q1. WHAT IS THE ORDERING PROCESS?

A1. We need to establish your specific requirements in order to be able to give you a quote. We require from you a copy of your kitchen/bathroom plans and/or drawings. If you do not have drawings, a rough sketch including all the dimensions of your worktops will suffice.

You can scan/email details to us at info@glasseco.co.uk or post to: GLASSeco Limited, Unit 5, Highams Farm, Sheepbarn Lane, Warlingham, Surrey, CR6 9PQ. Clearly mark on your drawings which edges need to be polished - this is especially important on peninsulars and island units. Show where you want your sink, hob and any other appliances to be positioned. We mould around these items rather than cutting them out and creating waste. You will need to let us know what type of sink you are having - is it undermounted so the rim edges need to be polished or is it a sit-on inset type and the hole is therefore not seen. Do you want drainer grooves or a drainer slide? How many tap holes? And do you require any upstands, these are generally between 70-150mm high but can be any height you like. Do you want matching or contrasting splashbacks? This cladding is usually the height between your worktops and the underside of your wall cabinets. If you are having full-height splashbacks count the number of electrical sockets (singles or doubles) that you require.

You will also need to advise us on the thickness of your worktops - 30mm is the standard but at the moment thick and chunky worktops are very much in vogue, with 45-50mm tops popular. We can make the front-edge of your worktops however thick you like; "falsies" give the impression of much thicker worktops. The tops will not be this solid throughout - but only you know that - just please remember that your base carcase units will need to be able to withstand the slightly increased weight and may require reinforcing if they are old or flat-pack - in exactly the same way as they would if you were going to install very heavy granite or stone tops. Of course, in all visible areas we will make sure that your tops look the same thickness, so all the edges and around the edge of the sink will all appear to be the same thickness.

It is your responsibilty to make sure your carcass is in a good condition and add any batons as required, otherwise our fitters can do the work but we will need to charge you extra if there is a lot of remedial work. GLASSeco is lighter than granite, stone, marble and slate due to its clever recycled sub-strata, hidden underneath. This "veneer" composition is the same for most man-made worktops, however our base boards are made from used supermarket carrier bags and/or recycled materials and FSC timber to ensure they are as as green as possible This style of make-up also helps to make GLASSeco much lighter and easier to transport and lift.

Q2. HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO MAKE GLASSeco WORKTOPS?

A2. You just need to plan ahead when you are ordering your new kitchen. We do not have slabs of GLASSeco or any standard size pieces. Every GLASSeco worktop is different and takes time to produce. Once you have placed your order, one of our templaters will visit your home to do a full measure. Your base units must be in-situ at this stage and it would be very useful if you have your sink and appliances handy so that we can see where they will go and take away the cardboard templates that are usually supplied in their packaging. Once we have the final measurements we begin your order. Every project is unique and we make individual moulds for every client. While your moulds are being made by our skilled joiners, your glass will be being hand-processed and mixed to your chosen recipe. The GLASSeco is then allowed to cure slowly, without heat, which is something we can't rush. The whole worktop is hand-made and hand-polished and only when it has been fully inspected and sealed is it allowed out. The whole process usually takes six weeks from the receipt of your templates but as the adage goes: "good things come to those who wait". Just like you can't rush a good wine, you can't rush a GLASSeco worktop either.

Q3. How much does it cost?

A3. GLASSeco is a bespoke product and we do not have a price list. If you would like an estimate please send us your drawings so we can measure the required pieces and work out how much polishing is required. If you like our standard GLASSeco colours we can let you have a quote quite quickly. Bespoke GLASSeco recipes cost more as they necessitate different staffing and production processes. We offer a service making bespoke coloured samples to meet your exact needs, the cost is £50 which is refundable against your order.

Q4. Can you make moulded sinks or baths in GLASSeco?

A4. We are developing a range of moulded sinks at the moment. We expect to be able to offer this service by the end of the year so do please check back in a few months.

Q5. How does GLASSeco compare against granite or marble?

A5. GLASSeco is extremely tough and hardwearing. It is easier to clean than natural stone and has a much greater depth of pattern. We recommend that you use a trivet when placing hot pots or pans on the worktop and we also advise using a chopping board so that you don't blunt your knife. Any worksurface can be damaged if you try hard enough. The beauty of GLASSeco is that it is made of recycled materials and you do not need to precious about it. The random pattern and colouring - especially the mixed glass colour recipes - ensure the surface has its own special patina that improves with age - just like a good wine really! Clean up as spills occur with a soft dishcloth and mild detergent. For more stubborn stains we recommend CounterTop Magic, a complimentary bottle is supplied with each order. With regards to price, we are comparable to a mid-entry level granite but, unlike granite, we do not remove any of the Earth's natural resources, and GLASSeco comes in modern stripes, swirls, patterns and 100s of trendy fun colours. Green really is the new black!

Q6. Have you got any retail showrooms?

A6. We are a new company and we only sell direct through this website at the moment but we are planning to team up with eco retailers around the country in the near future. We want to be sure that our retail partners also operate to environmentally-friendly business practices before we allow them to sell GLASSeco. In the meantime, we are pleased to send out samples to customers to give you an idea of how the product looks and feels. If you live in the South-East you are most welcome to visit our factory but it is not a glossy West End showroom so do please wear thick soled shoes as we love smashing glass here! For a free sample please complete the form on our contact page.

Q7. Do you offer contract or trade prices to developers and retailers?

A7. We are willing to negotiate volume discounts, but these are dependent on minimum orders and repeat mould usage. If you would like to discuss trade terms with us please call our marketing team.

Q8. Do you sell GLASSeco tiles and floors?

A8. If we had a pound for everyone who asked us that we'd be rich! Right now we are only geared up to produce work surfaces - tops, counters, tables, screens, spashback cladding, desks, vanity units etc - but we know you want other recycled glass products and we fully intend to develop the range as soon as we have the necessary investment funds. If you are an investor and want to talk to us about this give us a call. If you are a retailer and want a recycled glass floor why not bank-roll a new satellite GLASSeco factory yourself? The possibilities are endless.......

Q9. Do I have to pay VAT?

A9. Yes! Unless, in accordance with Customs Notice 708: Buildings and Construction (Feb 08) you are ordering for a NEW BUILD property, in which case we will ZERO-RATE VAT on our materials and services, assuming that the property provides self contained living accommodation.

Although there is no requirement to hold a certificate for such properties we will require proof that the property is a NEW BUILD. This can be in the form of a letter from the architect or surveyor which mentions the NEW BUILD status of the property. A copy of this letter must be sent as an attachment with your order confirmation.. We will then confirm the quote price with ZERO-RATED VAT. Full details of Notice 708: Buildings and Construction can be found on the internet.