Richlite Countertops

I recently installed eco-friendly Richlite countertops in my kitchen. It was not an easy decision, but ultimately I chose the product because I wanted an environmentally responsible product and a product that was unique. I had been on the open house circuit for a few months and was tired of seeing granite countertops and stainless steel appliances. All this quarrying of granite cannot be good for our planet leaving pock mocks across the globe. Richlite is a great alternative because it is made of pulp from FSC certified forests and even uses some recycled paper in it’s manufacturing process. The only downside to the Richlite is that it uses a phenolic resin may affect the “recycle-ability” of the product at the end of the line. The manufacturing process is quite green; no hazardous wastes are produced during the manufacturing process, no off gassing and 99% of the VOC’s (volatile organic compounds) are burned off during the drying process. So yes, it is a green product and it looks great! I chose a saturated black color that looks much like the old slate lab tables in chemistry class. I installed an under-mounted sink and a 4″ backsplash for an overall sleek finish. I would caution that the product does have a natural patina so that over time you will see some fading or weathering. You may be able to apply a finish to alleviate this tendency. I do love the countertop, but I think I might consider Paperstone for my next project.

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