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Solid Surface Countertops
Solid surface countertops were a revolution of sorts when they were first introduced. Until then most countertops were limited to tile or laminate. Since then solid surface has come a long way, available in an array of colors and patterns from a number of different manufacturers.
The term "solid surface" may seem a bit obvious since all countertops are "solid". But in the countertop and surfacing trade there is no confusion about what this material is.
Solid surface is basically a plastic. It's a petroleum-based product made from the combination of acrylic or polyester resins and an inert filler material. Its beauty, aside from pure aesthetics, lies in its ease of workability and reparability. From an installer's viewpoint solid surface is very similar to wood with regard to its ability to be cut and joined. Seams are virtually invisible which allows large expanses of countertop space to be connected with no visible joints. The same characteristic allows for integral solid surface sinks with no discernible edge between the countertop and the sink.
What Do I Need To Know About Solid Surface Countertops?
Not all plastic is created equal and the same applies to solid surface countertops. So what should you know about first before deciding to write the check for those Corian® countertops you've always dreamed of? Here's a list of considerations that are worth thinking about. We'll talk more about them in the information below.
Material - What Solid Surface Is Made Of and Why It's Important
As mentioned previously, solid surface is essentially a plastic, but it has some great qualities that make it a good choice for a countertop work surface. By the same token, there are a few minor downsides that you'll want to know about too.
Solid surface is made up of two main constituents called a "filler" and a "binder". The filler in most cases is a substance known as "ATH" or Alumina Trihydrate. ATH is a natural mineral that's in the form of a white powder when used in the manufacture of solid surface. This sometimes results in scratches that show up as white or light-colored lines, particularly in darker surfaces. The scratch accentuates the ATH used in the makeup of the surfacing material. ATH is also a natural fire-retardant which gives solid surface countertops good fire-resistance.
The binder that's used to hold the ATH and any other secondary ingredients together is a resin that's either pure acrylic or polyester or a combination of both. This is another important point because there are differences between the two materials. Each has its own characteristics that impact the look, fabrication and in some cases, the durability of the solid surface.
Acrylic-based material was the first type of solid surface, formulated by the DuPont® company. Acrylic enjoys several advantages over polyester in that it's harder, more impact resistant and less brittle than polyester. It won't fade or discolor from exposure to ultraviolet light whereas polyester has less resistance to UV light. This might not be a big factor if your countertops won't see a lot of direct sunlight however. Acrylic also has greater thermoformability - meaning it can be formed and shaped with heat more easily than polyester. This is important during the fabrication of your countertops should your design incorporate any bends or other features that require the material to be formed.
Polyester on the other hand is more chemical resistant particularly with regard to acrylic-based chemicals such as acetone and nail polish remover. Polyester can also achieve a higher polish than acrylic and offers a greater ability for achieving a translucent effect. Some manufacturers like Avonite® use polyester specifically to obtain countertops with these qualities. Polyester costs less than acrylic so in general, polyester-based solid surface is cheaper than acrylic-based products.
Beyond these main ingredients solid surface manufacturers include numerous additives aimed at enhancing various aspects of the material. Each has their own "recipe" based on various attributes they're trying to achieve.
Brand Differences - Are They All the Same?
Since solid surface countertops were first introduced by the DuPont® company numerous manufacturers have come on line with their own products. Each has their own unique formulation and method of manufacture but virtually all of them use the same primary ingredients of fillers and resin binders.
So you may ask, are they all the same? The problem with the answer to this question is that it's not that black-and-white. The best answer may lie with an analogy to something we're all familiar with, such as car brands.
Each auto manufacturer can make a car that operates satisfactorily, incorporates the necessary operational and safety features and can transport us where we want to go with reasonable reliability. The same is true about similar 'commodities' like solid surface countertops. The differences lie in the details and that's where being an educated buyer proves it's worth in sorting through all the choices.
So what makes them different? Consider the following:
Warranty
Not all manufacturers offer the same warranty though many are similar. Look at both the duration (length) and transferability. Transferability refers to whether the warranty applies to the original buyer only or others that may purchase a home after the countertops were originally purchased by someone else. While you may not care if someone else can benefit from a purchase you eventually leave behind, it does say something about the manufacturer's support of their product.
Duration of the warranty also speaks to the level of confidence a manufacturer has in their product. At a minimum, consideration of the warranty is one means of judging a product and may provide you with some level of security in your investment.
Colors
The quantity of colors and patterns varies among manufacturers. Each brand will have their own different color categories and while there are similarities, there are differences as well. Some specialize in very unique colors not offered by other manufacturers. If you fall in love with one particular color or style that you can't find anywhere else you may end up choosing that brand over all the others, regardless of other considerations.
Cost
Cost will vary somewhat among manufacturers and even between color and pattern selections within a particular brand selection. One key point to keep in mind is that if you have your mind set on one particular color but think it's too expensive you may be able to find the same or a very similar color or pattern at a lower price from a different manufacturer. There is some 'overlap' among the colors and patterns produced by the various manufacturers so it pays to shop around.
The bottom line on brand differences is that differences do exist, but they're not drastic enough to warrant complete avoidance of any particular brand. Manufacturer reputation, experience, warranty, product selection and cost are the primary differences.
Fabrication - Who Installs it and How It's Installed is Important
Solid surface installation is not for the do-it-yourselfer, at least if you want a durable, long-lasting countertop. The fabrication and installation of solid surface countertops requires craftsmen that are trained in the skills necessary to install them. The process involves cutting and routing as well as bonding of various pieces to create the final product.
There are other considerations in the installation process that also affect long term durability of your countertop. The solid surface material should be acclimated to the room before it's actually installed because it reacts (expands and contracts) with it's environment. This conditioning is needed to make sure there's minimal expansion or shrinkage once the material is cut, bonded and installed in place.
Another trait of solid surface is that it's brittle and susceptible to something called "stress risers". Stress risers are defects such as sharp corners or nicks that concentrate the normal stresses that occur from loads (such as a heavy bag of groceries) or expansion and contraction (such as the heating/cooling that occurs near a stove top). That 'concentration' of stress can cause the solid surface to break. A good fabricator is aware of these issues and should take this into account when installing your countertops.
The bottom line with installation of solid surface countertops is this: you're spending good money on a quality surface. Make sure you're confident and comfortable with the capability and experience of your installer because improper installation can cause problems down the road and in some cases even void your warranty.
Look for fabricators that are certified by the solid surface manufacturer or are members of the ISSFA (International Solid Surface Fabricators Association). Manufacturers typically use the certification process to support their product warranty and ensure the product's reputation is not tarnished by faulty installation. Also, obtain references from an installer and check out their past customers' satisfaction firsthand.
Positives and Negatives
Solid surface countertops look good and perform well but like most things in life, there are plusses and minuses. The following are the positives and negatives regarding solid surface but don't consider them as purely black and white. In some cases, one person's positive will be another's negative. It all depends on your perspective and expectations.
Positives
- Non-porous - resists stains and food-borne bacteria
- Durable - impact resistant
- Renewable and restorable - scratches can be sanded out and more significant damage can be repaired with 'seamless' patches
- Long lasting - because it's renewable it can be maintained for a long period of time
- Seamless joints - allows for expansive stretches of countertop without visible seams and/or integral sinks with no visible joints (other than the delineation between a sink and countertop of different colors).
- Waterproof - no worries about water damage in the proximity of sinks
- Wide manufacturer base - numerous makers typically result in a wide color selection and price competitiveness
- Warm feel - doesn't feel as 'cold' to the touch as stone, metal or tile
- Fabrication options - can be made with items like inlaid trivets for hot pans, drain boards for dishes and integral design patterns using different colors
- Homogeneous - the color and pattern goes all the way through the material so that it maintains it's look even if it needs sanding or renewing
Negatives
- Not tolerant to high heat - being a plastic, it's not immune to high heat sources or possible damage from the application of a hot pan
- Glossy surfaces limit practicality - glossy surfaces will tend to show scratches and dull more easily than matte or satin finishes and aren't very practical for high-use areas
- Susceptible to scratches and cuts - plastic is obviously softer than metal, stone and tile and will need more care to avoid this type of wear and tear
- Requires skilled fabricators for installation - longevity, quality and sometimes warranty depend on the skills and qualifications of the fabricator installing the countertop
- Brittle - solid surface is more susceptible to "stress risers" like deep cuts or sharp corners that can cause fractures
What Are the Choices Among Brands?
Solid surface is produced by a number of manufacturers, probably more than any other countertop material. Here are the choices available to you. Click on the name to learn a little more about each brand.
Avonite| Colors/Patterns Available | 105 colors within their ½" thick solid surface lineup
26 colors in their Acrystone® line | | Warranty | 10 year limited, non-transferable for Foundations™ and Studio Collections™ line
1 year limited warranty on the Acrystone line | | Comments | Avonite offers 3 product lines. They are: Foundations, Studio Collections and Acrystone.
The Foundations line is acrylic-based solid surface and includes 4 series of color patterns for a total of 51 colors within this product line. Colors are generally in the earth-tone pallette and are either solids or patterns that contain small particulate.
The Studio Collection is polyester-based and stretches the envelope by offering 6 series of colors and patterns. Colors are more dramatic and some have a translucent quality with various types of particulate suspended within the surface. Fifty-four colors are available in this collection.
The Acrystone line is a departure from traditional solid surface in that it's 1/8" thick, not ½" like standard solid surface. Acrystone is a thin sheet of solid surface material that is bonded to a substrate, much like a laminate countertop. It retains some of the good qualities of solid surface and is a lower-cost alternative to traditional solid surface countertops. | | Website | www.avonitesurfaces.com |
Corian®| Colors/Patterns Available | 104 colors | | Warranty | 10 year, limited transferable warranty | | Comments | DuPont introduced Corian solid surface material over 30 years ago and has developed over 100 different colors and patterns. It's an acrylic-based solid surface that's offered in 10 different palettes, each consisting of several colors/patterns.
A recent addition to the product line is the new Private Collection. It includes the Artisan Series and the Palladio Series. These new lines offer some unique characteristics such as veining that make for a more distinctive look.
DuPont classifies Corian retailers based on their track record for demonstrating high levels of quality, customer service and responsiveness. "Magna" retailers demonstrate the highest standards followed by "Summit" retailers who meet "high" customer service levels and "very high" quality according to their website. | | Website | www.corian.com |
Formica®| Colors/Patterns Available | 66 | | Warranty | 10 year limited / transferrable with proof of original installation date | | Comments | Formica brand solid surface is offered in 5 distinct lines that range from solid colors to patterns with increasing particulate size. The material is a blend of acrylic and polyester resins.- Solid Elements - 5 solid colors
- Basic Elements - 8 colors with small particulate
- Transitions - 6 colors with small to intermediate particulate
- Classics - 23 colors with richer shade choices and larger particulate
- Signatures - 24 colors with the largest particulate and richer transluscent appearance
Formica brand solid surface comes from a company with a long history in countertop surfacing, probably most widely known for their laminate countertops. Their solid surface has received the Greenguard® certification for low-emitting indoor surfaces.
The Greenguard Environmental Institute™ is a non-profit organization that performs testing and establishes certification for products that produce low levels of chemical emissions on various products such as flooring, surfacing, appliances and indoor furniture. The Formica Corporation voluntarily applied for certification. Testing is continued on a quarterly basis to maintain compliance with the certification. | | Website | www.formica.com/publish/site/na/us/en/index/solidSurfacing.html |
Karadon| Colors/Patterns Available | 32 colors in 4 color series | | Warranty | 10 yr limited / transferrable | | Comments | Karadon solid surface is made by the Karadon division of FAMA Industries located in British Columbia, Canada. It's polyester based and is offered in 32 colors within 4 series:- Artisan - 5 colors in a marbled/veigned look
- Cool Cravings - 7 vibrant colors with light/white particulate
- World - 7 colors distinguished by more earth-tone pallettes and particulate that mimics the look of stone
- Ambient - 13 colors that are similar to the World series but are darker and bear an even closer resemblance to granite and stone-like surfaces
While Karadon solid surface is not offered in as wide a range of colors and patterns as other manufacturers, they offer an intriguing lineup and some unique and different choices. Their World and Ambient series deserve a closer look if you're looking for solid surface that has a richer, stone-like appearance. | | Website | www.karadon.com |
Staron®| Colors/Patterns Available | 58 colors in 7 categories | | Warranty | 10 year limited / transferable | | Comments | Staron solid surface is a product of the chemical division of Samsung, headquartered in Seoul, Korea. They produce acrylic-based solid surface in over 50 colors, grouped into 7 categories. - Solid - 3 solid colors
- Breccia - 1 color combining tranlucency and particulate
- Quarry - 8 colors that incorporate varying sizes of particulate and colors that mimic natural stone
- Talus - 3 colors in earthtones incorporating varying sizes of particulate
- Pebble - 16 colors
- Aspen - 12 colors using smaller particulate
- Sanded - 15 colors with the smallest particulate size
| | Website | www.staron.com |
Wilsonart®| Colors/Patterns Available | 69 in 3 product lines | | Warranty | 10 year warranty | | Comments | Wilsonart solid surface is produced in 3 product lines:- Earthstone®
- Gibraltar®
- Renaissance™ Collection
Earthstone is geared toward capturing the look of granite. The line consists of 14 patterns based in earth-tones with coloration and pattern that mimics the look of stone.
The Gibraltar line contains the most colors with 42 to select from. It consists mainly of neutral tones and small particulate for a more "granular" appearance.
The Renaissance Collection consists of 13 colors that are similar to the Gibraltar lineup but with less particulate. Most patterns are in the neutral color pallette with the exception of the deep red "Amaryllis" solid color. | | Website | www.wilsonart.com/solidsurface/ |
LG Hi-Macs®| Colors/Patterns Available | 62 colors | | Warranty | 15 year transferable warranty | | Comments | LG Hi-Macs solid surface was first introduced in Europe and Asia and was eventually distributed within the United States. It's a product of LG Chem, a division of LG Group based in Seoul, Korea.
There are essentially two product lines for LG Hi-Macs solid surface. The first group comprises 54 colors and is divided into categories named Granites, Pearls, Quartz, Sands and Solids. Most patterns include small to medium size particulate for a granular look. Six colors make up the solids selection.
The LG Volcanics Collection is a separate product line with 8 colors. This line is distinguished by vibrant colors that incorporate larger translucent particles. The Volcanics colors are polished to a higher gloss that bring out this translucency. However this also raises the cost due to the time and process required to achieve this finish.
One of the nice things about the LG Hi-Macs solid surface website is the ability to choose a color and view a countertop in that pattern. The rendering is done on the same countertop design but achieves a very realistic look complete with light reflections. It's a nice way to get a view of what each color pattern might look like in a real kitchen which is difficult when looking at standard color chips. | | Website | www.lghi-macs.com
The Volcanics Collection has its own website:www.lgvolcanics.com |
Swanstone™| Colors/Patterns Available | 27 colors across two product lines | | Warranty | 10 year limited warranty | | Comments | Swanstone can be considered solid surface but it's a bit different than the other manufacturers' products. Swanstone is "compression molded" which means it's fabricated under high pressure and heat. It's also reinforced with a fiber which, according to the manufacturer, provides additional strength over more conventional solid surface. Otherwise it's similar to other solid surface materials.
Swanstone countertops are offered in two distinct product lines:- Everyday Plus countertops - these are pre-manufactured countertops made in specific sizes.
- Custom countertops - made to your specifications (style, edge treatment, dimensions).
Swanstone also makes solid surface sinks but one key difference with this product is that these sinks are not seamlessly integral with the countertops. Instead, your choices are undermounted (sink is mounted from under the countertop) or drop-in (sink sits in a cutout in the countertop with its edge overlapping the edge of the cutout). | | Website | www.swanstone.com |
Visioneer®| Colors/Patterns Available | 52 colors in 5 product series | | Warranty | 1 year for the whole countertop; 10 years on the solid surface material | | Comments | Visioneer solid surface, made by Sta-Care, is in their own description, a "hybrid" solid surface countertop. It's non-traditional in that the countertops are not 100% solid surface but a combination of solid surface material applied over a particle board substrate. The construction is very similar to laminate countertops whereby the laminate is applied over the wood backing.
Visioneer solid surface is targeted at the price point between more traditional "solid" solid surface and laminate countertops. They don't require the need for certified installers and aim to achieve the benefits of solid surface countertops but at a lower cost.
These benefits do come with some tradeoffs which may or may not matter to you based on your style objectives. Visioneer doesn't have the capacity for integral sinks like other solid surface products. You'll need to use either a drop-in or undermount sink. Also, the countertop edge seams will be more visible than traditional solid surface but on the up-side, they're less conspicuous than seams on laminate countertops.
Visioneer solid surface countertops may be worth a closer look if you'd like the benefits of solid surface with a softer blow on the budget. | | Website | www.visioneersolidsurface.com |
Topstone| Colors/Patterns Available | 97 colors across 3 product lines | | Warranty | Lifetime limited warranty for residential applications | | Comments | Topstone solid surface is manufactured by Halstead International which produces decorative interior building products including vinyl, wood and laminate flooring. It's offered in 3 product lines that differentiate themselves based on color and particulate size.Topstone solid surface is acrylic or modified acrylic depending on the product line. From the standpoint of the quantity of colors available Topstone rivals Corian and Avonite with close to 100 available colors. | | Website | www.e-topstone.com |
Meganite®| Colors/Patterns Available | 64 colors across 4 product groupings | | Warranty | 10 year warranty to original purchaser | | Comments | Meganite solid surface is produced by Meganite Inc., a chemical company specializing in chemical resin technology used in the fabrication of solid surface material. Meganite solid surface is 100% acrylic. | | Website | www.meganite.com |
Hanex| Colors/Patterns Available | 94 colors in 9 product groups | | Warranty | Unspecified | | Comments | Hanex solid surface material is produced by Hanwha L&C Corporation in Seoul Korea. Hanex is 100% acrylic and is offered in 9 different product groups. Each group is distinguished by colors and patterns with different particulate sizes.
A large number of colors are available and they offer a fairly wide range of solid colors in some unique shades.
Also available is the "Hanex ITB" which is a pre-fabricated countertop and sink suitable for a bathroom vanity. The ITB can be ordered in different sizes with a sink bowl either the same color or different than the countertop. Included is an integral backsplash and the option for a sidesplash on each end. | | Website | www.hanex-i.com |
Dovaé™| Colors/Patterns Available | 88 colors | | Warranty | 10 yr limited warranty | | Comments | Dovaé solid surface, made by Chemcore Industries, uses 100% acrylic material. They offer some unique colors patterns, some of which resemble real stone like their Onyx color line. Rather than just incorporating particulate to try and mimic the look of stone the Onyx line has a random marbled effect for a more natural complexion.
Their website has a dealer locator feature if you want to find who might offer the product in your local area. | | Website | www.dovae.com |
Royal Stone®| Colors/Patterns Available | 48 colors in 5 color lines | | Warranty | 10 year warranty | | Comments | What sets Royal Stone solid surface aside from the others is their offer to develop your own custom color or match a color from another solid surface brand. The thickness of the solid surface sheets is also offered in a wide range up to 1" thick. Or, as the company's website states, it can produce custom sheet sizes and thicknesses.
Another distinguishing feature is the ability to custom match your solid surface sink to your countertop color and pattern. Royal Stone achieves this by manufacturing your sink at the same time as the countertop to avoid variations in color that could occur with products made by other manufacturers or from different manufacturing lots.
Royal Stone solid surface products are grouped in 5 series.
- Economy Series - 5 colors utilizing fine particulate salvaged from scrap solid surface material
- Inova Series - 5 solid colors
- Quintessance Series - 7 colors made with fine grain particulate
- Visionary Series - 11 colors with medium particulate size
- Titan Series - 20 colors incorporating the largest particulates
| | Website | www.royalstoneind.com |
Mystera™| Colors/Patterns Available | 42 colors in 4 product lines | | Warranty | 10 year limited warranty | | Comments | Mystera solid surface is a unique entity in the rather crowded field of solid surface, due primarily to their interesting and novel colors and patterns. Manufactured by Hudson Surfaces, Mystera solid surface has colors and patterns that very closely mimic the natural veining seen in natural stones like marble, granite and travertine. This look is fairly unique amongst its solid surface peers and in fact, the company has filed for a patent on its method of manufacture.
Mystera solid surface patterns are grouped into 4 product lines.- Terrascape - 24 colors characterized by a swirled veining effect like marble
- Infinity - 9 colors of a lighter nature with a marble or travertine look
- Gallery Collection - 5 colors with a look very close to natural granite
- Designer Woods - 5 dark wood-tone colors with a random veining effect
If you like the random, irregular veining look you find with natural stone but want the benefits of solid surface, Mystera solid surface offers a solution worth investigating. | | Website | www.mysterasolidsurface.com |
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