Solid Surface Countertop Basics

Solid surface countertops have been around for over 25 years now. And it's one milestone that solid surface countertops certainly deserve. While some countertop innovations are, in my opinion, fads and trends that will disappear before long (i.e., concrete), the solid surface counter is a true mainstay of the modern kitchen.

Problems of Not Having a Solid Surface Countertop

Cooks have long been trying to find the perfect countertop material. At one time, wood or butcher block were favored materials, but one problem with wood is that it is porous.

Ceramic tile has those much-hated grout lines which make it impossible to roll out large sections of pie dough. Even the popular granite and marble options are not perfect: they are expensive, prone to cracking, and can even be damaged by hot pans.

Composition of Solid Surface Counters

Solid surface countertops are about 33% inorganic binding resins and 66% organic (minerals). Contrast this with quartz counters, with are about 7% resins and the rest minerals.

Beyond Formica and the Laminates

Laminate surfacing, a nearly 100 year old material, came to fore in the 1960s as the premium surface for countertops. Mostly known as the brand Formica (also Wilsonart is a major manufacturer), laminate is a minimally heat resistant "sandwich" of paper or fabric impregnated by melamine resin.

Designs and colors were no longer limited to the imagination, and completely smooth surfaces were now possible. But the downside of laminate is that it easily chips, it burns under hot pans, and the core material (usually composition wood) is not very strong.

Solid Surface Brands

Popular brands of solid surface countertop materials include:

• Corian
• Silestone
• Avonite
• Shirestone
• Gibralter
• Earthstone
• Staron
• Mystera

Qualities of Solid Surface Countertops

Reichhold, a supplier of resins for the solid surface countertop industry, indicates that there are a number of qualities, including

1. Non porous - keeps bacteria away, promoting a cleaner and more sanitary countertop.
2. Strong - unlike laminate, the plastic goes all the way through, and thus resists impact better.
3. Scratches can be sanded out - by far, the greatest advantage of solid surface countertop material.
4. Wide range of designs possible.
5. Wide range of colors possible - infinitely "tint-able"

Not DIY-Friendly

One downside of solid surfaces is that they are difficult, if not impossible, for do-it-yourself home remodelers to fabricate. However, it should be added that nearly all kitchen countertop materials, with the exception of wood, are difficult to fabricate without special tools and expertise.