Ever heard of solid surface countertops? Solid surface countertops are not particularly new. They have been around for the past 25 years but their popularity has exploded lately. They are more expensive than cheap laminated countertops, but they are not nearly as expensive as granite or quartz countertops which makes them a great option for a mid-range priced kitchen. Solid surface worktops are made of acrylic polymers, but instead of being just a thin layer of plastic as with formica countertops they are made entirely of this synthetic material.
What Does Solid Surface Countertop Mean?
Solid surface countertops are a type of man-made synthetic surfaces invented by DuPont under the brand name Corian. Corian is in fact another way to refer to this type of countertops, as most people just assume Corian is just the name of the technology. It is a non-porous surface that can be made to look like anything: stone, marble, granite, wood, quartz, it can imitate the looks of any high end type of countertop and then add some that would never be seen in Nature. Do you fancy bright green stone looking countertops? A solid surface is your answer.
It can also be casted and shaped via heat into a variety of shapes, so you can have a seamless countertop that includes the sink for example. Any shape is possible, provided you have the budget. As for the materials, this type of countertop surface uses a combination of alumina trihydrate (ATH), acrylic, epoxy or polyester resins and pigments.
What Is the Most Durable Solid Surface Countertop?
The most durable and so most expensive type of solid surface countertops are quartz countertops. They are made with a mixture of crushed granite stone, polymers and resins, and then given colour using pigments. But other alternatives that use only synthetic materials and flame retardant substances are available and comparable in terms of longevity. You will get tired of your countertops way before they get tired of you.
If you are concerned about the durability of solid surface countertops look for products that can be buffed to remove stains and scratches but do not require periodic re-sealing.
Which Is Better Quartz or Solid Surface?
Technically Quartz countertops are a type of solid surface countertops, so the question should be whether quartz is the best type of solid surface countertop. And arguably, the answer is yes, in most cases. For domestic use, quartz countertops have enough natural minerals to look organic and less “plastic” than the full synthetic equivalents such as formica countertops. But they are also usually the most expensive as well. However, if you want the feel of granite without the hassle, quartz is a great option.
If you are just looking for a durable, nearly indestructible countertop or want to achieve a more modern, synthetic look, 100% synthetic solid surface countertops may work better. If you are looking for countertops in solid colors, for example, Wilsonart has amazing products that are also fireproof and hard wearing. Or if you are looking for something more eco-friendly, Samsung Staron uses landfill materials recycled into their solid surface countertops.
Solid Surface Countertops Price
You can find solid surface countertops for as low as $75 per square meter, or as high as $120 per square meter in average. Larger manufacturers are usually cheaper, but if your kitchen design is complex and you want moulded features such as a built in sink that will cost more. For this price you should also get installation included by a professional team.
Some brands also offer a variety of accessories designed to fit right into your countertop, such as kitchen sinks in matching colors and textures.
- Authentic solid surface is renewable and will not wear away
- Pre-drilled with 1 faucet hole
- Authentic solid surface is renewable and will not wear away
- Pre-drilled with 1 faucet hole
- Authentic solid surface is renewable and will not wear away
- Pre-drilled with 1 faucet hole
Is Solid Surface Cheaper Than Granite?
Generally speaking, the answer is yes. It really depends on the quality of the granite and the quality of the solid surface countertop, as the price ranges overlap. But for a similar quality and installation, a solid surface worktop will be cheaper than the equivalent granite one.
Solid surface is basically indestructible and it barely requires any maintenance. So even overtime it’s cheaper than granite countertops which would require resealing treatments and are more at risk of stains and cracks. But it is still synthetic, and people will often pay the extra for the natural beauty of stone countertops.
Solid Surface Countertops Brands
- DuPont Corian Solid Surface Countertops: The original quartz countertops! Corian is nearly synonymous with Quartz Countertops at this point, and the quality and price reflects this.
- Wilsonart Solid Surface Countertops: Colors, colors, all the colors. If you can dream it, they manufacture it. They have the widest catalog in purely synthetic materials, no natural quartz involved.
- Samsung Staron Solid Surface Countertops: Great variety of colors and they use recycled plastics so also eco-friendly.
- Swanstone Solid Surface Countertops: Less styles, but cheaper than other alternatives and among the most durable solid surface countertops money can buy.
- Formica Solid Surface Countertops: Mineral fillers mixed with resins. An established brand that is also responsible for the introduction of laminate countertops to our kitchens.
Why Choose Solid Surface Countertops
The main benefit of solid surface worktops is that they look similar to natural stone and granite, but in any colour you can imagine, at a lower cost and with much less maintenance and care requirements.
The major benefit of solid surface countertops is, without a doubt, the fact that it is easy to repair minor scratches, by just sanding lightly with sandpaper. This makes it considerably easier to maintain than granite countertops and this, together with the fact that it is much more affordable, has also earned solid surface countertops many fans. However, as with any other resin based material, this kind of countertops is more prone to scratching and being damaged by heat, such as carelessly leaving a hot pot on top of it while you fix something else in the kitchen.
- HIGH QUALITY - Repair kit for white quartz, granite, marble, cultured marble, silestone, corian, porcelain, acrylic, stone repairs in minutes
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Solid surface countertops are non-porous, this means bacteria have a harder time making themselves at home and they are easy to clean with soap and water. Unlike wood countertops, they don’t require regular maintenance or resurfacing. Since they don’t require a weaker wood base they are also more resistant to damage and won’t break or crack easily.
Installing Solid Surface Countertops
Unlike laminate, solid surface countertops are not something you can just cut to size at home and install. They are large slabs of plastic cut to measure by experienced installers, which makes them more expensive than DIY formica kitchentops installations. Solid surface kitchen countertops do not require a wood backing. While you can purchase a solid surface worktop and install it yourself, it’s not easy and will require a lot of strength because those things are HEAVY. Not as much as quartz or stone, but still very heavy and difficult to handle by somebody without the right tools and training.
So overall, let the professionals install solid surface countertops. If you want to save money, focus on sourcing the countertop yourself and just hire the installation.
The variety of designs and colours of solid surface countertops is endless, as they are 100% man-made surfaces. This is great news for those who want their countertops to make a statement, but it is true that they can’t imitate natural stone just yet, although progress is being made on that regard. If you are looking for a cheaper alternative to natural stone countertops but prefer to avoid laminate, solid surface countertops may be exactly what you need.
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