Kitchen Solid Countertops

HIGHLIGHTS:

Material definition: Made from paper and a resin binder.

Tips for Selection: High content of recycled paper is preferable. Look for low VOC resins.

Advantages:

1. easy to clean
2. durable (particularly impact and heat resistant)
3. raw material is a renewable resource
4. recycled content

Disadvantages:

1. can be scratched
2. lighter colors may show stains
3. colors may not be UV stable

Average Material Cost: $50+ per square foot

OVERVIEW on Kitchen Countertops: The kitchen is one of the most important rooms in your home, and the right choice for kitchen counter tops is key to the successful execution and ongoing use of the space. Now more than ever, you can choose from a diverse range of kitchen counter materials. For each aspect of home design and remodeling you can also strive to make choices that are 1) Functional, 2) Stylish, 3) Cost-Effective, and 4) Environmentally Sustainable. These are the four key guiding principles in the GREENandSAVE strategy. You will find that in certain cases, one or two of the criteria take precedent over others. However, as you review the home improvement options that are right for your home, you may be surprised to learn that reaching all four is more achievable than you thought.

Selection Tip: In choosing a kitchen countertop material make sure to think through its integration with your kitchen cabinets, appliances, and the backsplash that will work best for your design and installation. Solid surface and natural stone materials typically need to be precut prior to installation versus tiles that can be cut and set right on the job site. Kitchen countertop backsplashes sometimes look great when they match the countertop material, but you can alternatively enhance the countertop material by choosing a different tile to run from the top edge of the counter all of the way up to the underside of the head cabinet. If you decide on the tiles, also take care in choosing the right color grout and look for new tile grouts that are stain resistant.

DETAILS on Kitchen Solid Countertops: Composites deliver some interesting alternatives for countertop selection. Some are made from recycled paper and combined with resins to form a surface that’s hard yet warmer than stone. The eco-friendly nature of these choices may also give you the satisfaction of having helped the environment.

GREEN Considerations: In the case of paper products look for Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certification. Some of the companies producing recycled paper products using a phenolic resin, or products made from recycled glass, cement and plastics include:

1. Richlite
2. IceStone
3. Vetrazzo
4. EnviroGlas
5. Paperstone
6. Squak Mountain Stone
7. EcoTop

Paper composite surfaces are composed of paper and other fibers that have been impregnated with resin. Paper composite handles heat well and is very durable—the material does not nick easily and the darker colors resist staining.

The resin does not come from recycled sources, but it constitutes a small amount of the material. Because the resin is a thermoset plastic, paper-based solid surfaces are not recyclable, though they can be recut and retooled for future use. Overall, solid-paper composites are environmentally preferable to plastic-based solid surfaces since wood is a renewable resource while petroleum is not.

Maintaining paper composites over their long life will reduce their overall environmental impact; a nonabrasive cleaner and a sponge are adequate for routine cleaning.
PaperStone and Richlite are two of the more well-known brands. Richlite uses pulp from sustainably managed forests, and PaperStone incorporates up to 100 percent recycled paper pulp, much of which is post-consumer. Both can be sealed with mineral oil to improve moisture and stain resistance.

For a user-friendly example of countertop or backsplash design- When Steve Prescott of Fiddlehead Designs in Brunswick, Maine, builds a kitchen, no matter what color the countertop, it’s always “green.” He builds environmentally responsible kitchens, featuring Richlite countertops.

Made from resin-bonded paper that has been manufactured from sustainable forest resources, Richlite compares favorably with solid surface and granite, says Prescott. He notes it machines well with conventional woodworking tools, but is much heavier and denser than solid surface materials. Richlite tops develop an elegant patina over time and compare favorably with solid surface and granite.

That weight translates into increased strength. Prescott says the Richlite tops will cantilever without support to span areas that granite could not. He says the material wears well, although it will scratch. But because the color is consistent through the product, scratches are not as noticeable as on some countertop materials, and in some cases, they can be polished out. Over time and use, Richlite tops develop a “patina,” says Prescott, which sets the countertops apart from other materials and goes well with the traditional and classic designs in cabinetry that he prefers.

Prescott says the Richlite countertops not only set his kitchens apart, but he’s found customers are more than willing to pay a bit more for the environmentally sound product once he explains the benefits.