Before we even took possession, Paolo & I were researching green materials to slather across the apartment – wondering how and where we could crossbreed ‘don’t spend money’ with ‘don’t kill the planet’. Was it possible?
By way of inter-sleuthing, Paolo discovered a countertop material called PaperStone. Greenwashing – or novelty delight? PaperStone is made from recycled paper, stewed in non-toxic resins, manufactured with renewable energy and made local-ish to Vancouver. It’s the Al Gore of kitchen materials.
Source: Calfinder
Unbelievably functional, there’s lots to love. Made of super compressed recycled paper, it’s pressed together until it has the density of steel. It’s impermeable, can be sanded to your preferred finish and plenty more. Who doesn’t love a stacked features list? As curious sorts, we made a new friend at Vancouver’s GreenWorks Building Supply where we picked up a price guide & indulged ourselves in stroking PaperStone. Not a lumpy, bumpy paper-mâché. It’s flawless. It feels gorgeous. I want it. A selection of a dozen colours preclude anything lighter than, say, a telephone pole. (Shades are the resin colours + paper. Lighter shades would require bleach, a no-no in planet-saving). PaperStone is seriously cool. Enormously cool. I really want it.
But, sigh for dramatic effect, PaperStone has no business in this apartment. I can’t afford it.
We can’t add PaperStone to a flipping apartment.
In a flip, added costs have to offer tangible buyer benefits. PaperStone is a lot more expensive than other countertop options – and how much do you expect of an apartment kitchen counter? You need a clean, attractive surface to cut potatoes & store your toaster.
1. What else does PaperStone offer a buyer? Not a whole lot. While no-VOC paint has benefits – I’m not going to be poisoned in my own home – PaperStone countertops provide only smug satisfaction. That rich brat on the playground: my daddy has a wind farm.
2. Is it a problem worth caring about? Had you even considered the environmental impact of choosing a laminate countertop over butcher-block or marble or granite? I hadn’t. In fact, I’ve got no idea what ranks where on the planet-killing scale of culpability. (Answers here).
3. Is it an obvious addition or improvement? Again – probably not. There’s little to no name-recognition and, on first impression, a counter made of paper sounds weird and high-maintenance.
4. Jump-off-the-page sales potential? While I can’t assume that everyone’s as bleeding-heart environmental as I am, this is Vancouver. We might cruise to Whole Foods in Range Rovers – but we do so armed with canvas shopping bags. Yuppie Hippies would love this stuff – once they heard the spiel. Maybe it’s a growing market and this stuff’s ahead of its time. Today, who’s ever heard of PaperStone?
Source: PaperStone
Would it appeal to you as a buyer? You’d rather see better closets or a souped-up shower or underfloor heating, right? Would it appeal to you as a home owner? Or do you put it, as I do, in the rose-coloured column where money is no object? Maybe just a PaperStone cutting board for now. I’m glad we did the research but, at double Ikea’s cost, it’s an I-love-you saved for later. Sorry, planet – we’re mercenary little bastards. In this round we choose money.
Hey, you want a s'more? Some more of what?
Love your insight and hearing your opinions. I happen to agree (from the cost perspective in a flipper, especially). What are your thoughts on concrete countertops?
Thanks Emily! I don’t know anything about concrete counters – other than having seen an HGTV episode involving them. In this instance they poured them in the backyard – is that normal or would they typically come from a company? We often forget that we don’t have a backyard in which to make DIY chaos until the last minute – when things end up being mixed or cut in the living room. Are they cost-comparable to cheapy cheapy Ikea stuff?
I did a little searching and found this, which describes concrete as costing about 1/4 the cost of granite (http://www.instructables.com/id/Concrete-Countertops-for-the-Kitchen—Solid-Surfa/). In terms of DIY, I probably saw the same HGTV episode as you, and although I do think you can make them if you’re patient and willing to do lots of sanding and sealing and perfecting the surface (using this? http://www.amazon.com/Concrete-Countertop-Polishing-Package-Dry/dp/B003AOGJDU), I’m pretty sure there are retailers can would make them for you – I wish I knew who though. I have heard that you can even order custom dyed colors and that the surface is incredibly durable. And the finishes I’ve seen all waxed and pretty look pretty slick.
Ooh, brilliant, thanks for all the links!! Not sure about available patience reserves…. maybe one of these days? Will have to check out some more pics of concrete for next time. Thanks Emily!
Personally I would live on top of my countertops if they were PaperStone. How about using the PaperStone in the bathroom? ((I’m thinking about doing the same)) My guess is that average buyers that want to feel like they are green only look for bamboo floors and countertops with recycled glass bits.
I would too – happily ever after. Totally valid future life plan!
Definitely will look @ the prices for smaller bathroom pieces — I’ve forgotten what the smallest size slab measures. Maybe environmental rich people want to sell me some off-cuts??
Bamboo floors… glass bits…. maybe just a really blatant recycling bin?
My guess would be people could appreciate the idea behind PaperStone, but not the cost that would come with it. I think most buyers would appreciate any kitchen that’s updated well.
Ding ding ding, I think you’ve cracked it – 1 tidy thesis statement. I do like that ‘greenery’ is entering the property equation… maybe it will slowly grow in significance.
I’m pretty much in line with everyone else here. Potential buyers might be impressed with eco-friendly touches, but not enough to sway their decisions on buying or how much they are willing to pay. It’s a noble thought (thanks for the link to the countertop article, btw), but I’d hold off until we’re talking about a home that you won’t be selling immediately.
Yea, can’t quite see that heated couples’ debate where Property A vs Property B hinges entirely on …. recycled compressed paper. I’ll plan to be noble (sickeningly noble) in a future home for keeps.
Have you guys looked into the recycled glass and concrete materials? I saw some other people mentioned them in passing, but when The Foliage and I have researched kitchen materials, we’ve really loved that stuff, and it’s always seemed really affordable.
One company I know that makes it is called EnviroGlas. I promised to replace our kitchen counters this year, and that’s tooootally the stuff I’m getting.
We haven’t at all! All the research happened in those manic few weeks before we got the keys and now it’s become very lazy and “does Ikea sell it? can we pick it up in 30 minutes’ time? problem solved”.
Hopefully if we keep doing this in the future, assuming those properties come with increasing price tags, we’ll eventually reach the point where green additions are valid & worth discussing. I’ll check out EnviroGlas and bookmark it for next time – thanks Christine!
Yes, I looked into the paper counter as well, as I was trying to go for the eco angle with my renos. It came out the same as your decision is: it costs too much. Look into the recycled glass conglomerates as that will give your buyers the “ooh, sparkly!” with their “ooh, green-minded!” I put all my money into my floors (solid bamboo hardwood), and I DID get the recycled paint which worked and looks AWESOME by the way (Boomerang paint, also Greenworks Building Supply, kindly abbreviated to Greenworks BS).
Some people (buyers) actually don’t like granite, so the glass might be a good option.
We feel for the PaperStone too–until we discovered the price. Sigh.
The other big pro for us was that it’s quite DIY friendly–can be worked with (as they put it) “fine woodworking tools.” (And I think P owns every one of those ever produced.) We were pretty excited at the prospect of just buyiung a salb and working it to our own specs. Plus, it’s light enough to handle a slab, and probably wouldn’t shatter if I dropped it. Stone countertops are the only thing where we’ve ever considered pro installation, just because of the weight/delicacy issue. Until we realized stone might not pay back in resale. Laminate, here we come!
Yeah. Flipping isn’t as glamorous as they make it out to be, is it?
All glamour, all the time!!! Didn’t know that about DIY + PaperStone – that’s a definite few points in its favour.
(Wooo, laminate!!)
The PaperStone is really cool, but it seems like you made the right choice for your budget. I’m looking at a similar product for my kitchen – ShetkaStone (local-ish to me and made from newspapers – which is awesome because I work at one).
If you are curious about concrete, here’s a tutorial from a chick who lives in my home state: http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/chicago/how-to/pouring-your-own-concrete-countertops-tutorial-by-splatgirl-073544
I’m not as brave as she and her husband her, but the counters look great!
I don’t think I could pronounce that after a few drinks… Shet… Shetland pony…. ShitStone… it would end badly. Newspapers!? Nutsicles!
Thanks for the link!!!
Nice grammar and typos in that last comment. Durr. Sorry!
This is a typo-friendly zone.
I love the look and concept of PaperStone. But if I had to choose, I’d have to go with heated floors or a fab shower over PaperStone. And I’m sure the majority of potential buyers would feel the same way. As much as we all want to do things to help the planet, we don’t always have the money to invest in them. And if you have a limited budget, you have to put it to optimal use.
Kelly – sorry – I just saw this now! Don’t know how I missed it.
I think PaperStone would win us all over on looks alone – but its guiltless green association has little sway on a normal person’s plans or budget.
Definitely agree about heated floors — would I rather have toasty feet or great-grand children with clean air & healthy lungs… pshhh, no contest, right? Haha – sad, but very true!