A composite of paper and resin, Richlite's FSC countertop material looks and feels like honed stone. But if you're looking for a cheaper substitute for natural stone, you won't find it in Richlite. Cost installed (and it needs to be professionally installed) is comparable to stone or solid surface.
So why use FSC when you could use real stone for the same $80 to $100 per square foot?
The answer is partly in the name. FSC is an acronym for Forest Stewardship Council, a nonprofit organization that promotes sustainable wood harvesting. Richlite is considered by many to be a green product, although it does contain petroleum-based resins. Non-porous, it does not emit harmful chemicals and is food safe.
It's also tough. It won't bend or break under normal circumstances, and long spans and extended cantilevers don't need added support. A 3/4" thick FSC countertop can have an unsupported 12" overhang; 1-1/2" thick slabs can have an unsupported 24" overhang. Fabricators can shape edges and rout drain channels. Color is straight through the countertop, so seams, scratches and nicks don't jump out at you.
The soft matte finish given FSC the look of slate or soapstone, rather than the highly polished look of granite. It's available in seven natural colors. Lighter colors will darken with age and ultra-violet exposure, while darker colors will not change.
The material is available through authorized dealers in 3/4", 1" and 1-1/2" thickness and in sheets up to five feet wide and 12 feet long. Thinner backsplash material is also available.
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