The Heavy-Duty Stone Countertop Look-Alike You'll Want To Consider For Your Home

When choosing a countertop material, you might consider things like versatility, price, lifespan, or maintenance requirements. Sustainability is also at the top of the list for many homeowners who are weighing their options. Eco-friendly countertops help you do your part in conserving natural resources, and they are also often longer-lasting and present minimal health risks compared to other types of countertops. If you find these perks appealing, you might want to consider PaperStone. This countertop material will not only help you achieve your sustainability goals, but it also comes with a wide range of other benefits.

PaperStone is a countertop manufacturer that sells paper composite countertops. These are made from a blend of recycled paper and resin. They are recommended for both commercial and residential use, so they can be installed in homes, office buildings, restaurants, and more. PaperStone's composite countertops are manufactured by pressing recycled paper and cardboard container paper together with resin to form a stone-like material. Even the resin is made from repurposed by-products.

PaperStone countertops come with unique perks that make them stand out from other materials. The manufacturer claims that the countertops' strength is steel-like, yet they can be shaped like hardwood. Additionally, PaperStone® is certified to Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) standards. This certification is earned by products that use materials derived from responsibly managed forests, according to FSC. The phenolic resins that PaperStone uses are scratch-resistant, making these countertops more durable. The company also states that the material will not be damaged by water and is resistant to stains.

Finally, paper composite countertops cost about $45 to $70 per square foot. For reference, marble countertops cost around $40 to $100 per square foot. As you can see in the TikTok video posted by @ouroldhouse, you can customize and install the countertops yourself if you have woodworking skills, as the content creator was able to cut the material to size with woodworking tools. 

Although PaperStone countertops are a great fit for many homeowners, you might want to keep these downsides in mind before having them installed. First, the countertops will change in appearance as they age. Areas with more wear will eventually display more luster. All of the countertop space will appear softer. PaperStone compares the aging process of this material to the again process of natural wood.

Another potential downside is that these countertops can vary in appearance from one panel to the next because they are made of natural materials rather than manufactured. This tonal variation can change over time as well. PaperStone countertops might not be a great fit for those who are not open to this gradual change in appearance, so if you prefer a more uniform look, you might want to seek out other materials that better fit what you are looking for.