PaperStone Benefits and Key Points

PaperStone-Certified is certified by the Forest Stewardship Council or FSC, Smartwood and the Rainforest Alliance. It is the only architectural surface on the market today certified by these demanding third parties.

Most PaperStone products are made from post-consumer waste, recycled paper and proprietary, petroleum-free, phenolic resins. To the maximum extent technically possible, water is used as the resin solvent.

There are two series of recycled paper-based PaperStone products:
1) 'Original', which is made from 50% post-consumer waste, recycled paper and
2) 'Certified', the FSC, Smartwood and Rainforest Alliance-certified product which is made from 100% post-consumer waste paper. And Paperstone made from virgin fiber is also available.

PaperStone is the 'greenest' architectural surface on the market today.

Depending upon the project, the use of PaperStone may contribute up to five LEED points.
As a result of the ease of workmanship and finish of PaperStone, the installed prices are often lower.

How best used:

We recommend PaperStone for a wide variety of interior horizontal applications such as counters for kitchens, window sills and door thresholds. We also recommend these products for structural applications, landscape components, furniture, table tops and other manufactured products.

PaperStone is also an excellent choice for rainscreens.

PaperStone Certified and Original both also work well in vertical applications such as toilet partitions, interior and exterior paneling, exterior cabinet work, and chair rail.

Standard panel sizes are 60" x 144" in standard thicknesses of 3/4", 1" and 1-1/4". Other panel thicknesses and sizes can be special ordered. Contact your distributor for details. What is PaperStone made of and why is knowing this important?

PaperStone is a composite made from recycled paper and proprietary, petroleum-free phenolic resins made from raw materials like cashew nut shell liquid.


Phenolic resin and paper composites have long been known to have superior tensile, compression, impact and flexural strengths. They are very abrasion resistant. They absorb very little water. They are the products of choice in applications requiring high fire resistance (PaperStone has a Class A fire rating). They are routinely specified for cutting boards and for very demanding, high-use, exterior applications like skateboard ramps.

PaperStone has a high modulus of elasticity.

PaperStone is resistant to staining in kitchen applications.

PaperStone can easily be worked with CNC-routers and lasers to produce signs and very intricately detailed architectural components. Layering different colored resin saturated sheets in the panel production process further expands the range of design options possible.

PaperStone has been thoroughly tested and certified as non-detectable for formaldehyde by the most demanding test available, the so-called desiccant method test.

Like all phenolic composites, PaperStone is subject to some color shifting with UV light exposure but, to the maximum extent possible, the coloring systems have been selected for color stability.

PaperStone is warm to the touch.

Mechanical properties:

45,000 psi compressive strength

An unloaded, 1" thick panel of PaperStone will cantilever 4 feet with less than 1/16th inch deflection.

Mechanical attachments stay secure in tapped screw holes

Router and laser detail limited only by workman's imagination

Structurally rigid and sound in vertical and horizontal application

Fabrication and finish:

Millwork and cabinetmaker craftsmen can fabricate using traditional woodworking tools (e.g. triple-chip carbide blades).

The laminated nature of the product creates an edge that resembles a solid surface product with a faint wood grain appearance.

Unlimited edge detail with traditional tooling

Seams carefully made with CA5 or two-part epoxy are tight and difficult to see.

Shims provide height adjustment prior to final installation.

We recommend PaperStone finish. It is made from all natural raw materials.

Sanding using a Scotch-Brite&tradel maroon or green pad will provide a smooth finish that will also help preserve the surface integrity.

PaperStone Original and Certified are made partially from recycled paper. There is a certain amount of surface appearance variability, similar to natural variability in stone.

As with all natural and recycled products, PaperStone has inherent characteristics that may vary slightly from panel to panel. Just as a skilled woodworker looks at the color and grain of wood before matching up panels, it is important to do the same with PaperStone.

UV stability is good in the dark colors. Some color shift will occur with the lighter colors. The color 'Concrete' probably has the maximum color shift. The PaperStone finish enhances the panel's UV protection.

Cost considerations:

PaperStone panel prices are roughly the same as quality granite and brand name solid surface or quartz material products.

As a result of the ease of workmanship and finish of PaperStone, the installed prices are often lower.

Additional information:

Composition Guide
Colors and Variation
Design and Fabrication Guide
Fabrication and Maintenance
Environmental Impact Guide
Technical Specifications
LEED Certifications
Warranty

Colors:

Original Series:
Cabernet		Denim		Evergreen
Mocha		Slate
Certified Series:
Chocolate		Gunmetal		Grass
Indigo		Obsidian		Plum
Straw (Not currently available)
Virgin Series:
Leather