What is Richlite?
Richlite is a paper-based fiber composite material manufactured by Richlite Company. Based in Tacoma, Washington, Richlite Company pioneered the paper-composite surface industry beginning in 1943. Intectural is proud to offer this innovative, sustainable material made from Forest Stewardship Council (FSC)-certified paper.
Richlite starts out as pulp and is turned into paper before being transformed into a beautiful, durable, weather-resistant material. This product can be used like wood for a variety of commercial or residential surfaces or design accents, from sink basins and exterior wall cladding to bathroom partitions, guard rails and pillar wraps. Stain, water, scratch and heat resistant, Richlite surfaces come in a variety of colors and collections to suit all design tastes.
Richlite Cladding
Richlite is often considered the best product for exterior cladding due to its durability, resistance to weather, and ease of maintenance. It is a composite material made from resin-infused paper and is water-resistant, making it perfect for use in outdoor applications
Features
FSC-certified paper-based composite material
Greenguard certified
Contributes LEED points
Applications
Interior kitchen and bath, retail and restaurant surfaces
Wall caps and stair treads
Interior and exterior wall cladding
Benefits
Dense and durable
Heat-resistant up to 350 degrees
Handles long spans and cantilevers without extra support
Richlite Product Lines
Note that images of materials below are a close representation of color and texture, but actual product color and texture may vary.
Heritage Collection
Comprised of a blend of recycled paper, these offerings are better suited for exterior applications.
Northwest Collection
Richlite’s Northwest Collection comprises through-color products whose names reflect natural and historic landmarks near Richlite’s manufacturing facility in Tacoma, WA. It also includes Richlite’s recycled series, r50 and r100, whose names which reflect their percentage of recycled content.
As this material ages, its color will darken and become richer, warmer and more dramatic. Richlite has a ‘mottled’ appearance, which patterns in a striated effect lengthwise, due to the natural variation in the way fibers lay within the paper used to make the material. The Northwest collection is best suited for interior applications.
Black Diamond
Maple Valley (R100)
Chocolate Glacier
Browns Point
Blue Canyon
Gray’s Harbor
Redstone
Cascade
The Cascade Mountain Range is the quintessential backdrop of the Pacific Northwest and the inspiration for Richlite Company’s line of layered products. With solid-color tops and two- to three-tone edges, this collection offers designers a creative alternative.
The multicolor paper composite surfaces blend the best of the natural and design worlds with subtle accents that enliven kitchens, baths and commercial environments. Cascade’s unique layering system can also be used for signage when the material is machined to reveal several contrasting colors.
Ranier
Little Tahoma
Stratum
Richlite Company partnered with Smith & Fong Plyboo to create a layered paper and bamboo surface material. Stratum’s exterior features dense and durable Richlite FSC Certified paper composite materials while the core is made from Plyboo’s 100% rapidly renewable bamboo and soy adhesives.
Natural beauty, longevity and sustainability give Richlite Stratum a mark of distinction in the architectural community. It’s a versatile building material with character that complements rugged to refined designs, from contemporary urban centers ]to rustic mountain hideaways.
Stratum
