Solid Surface Countertops an Easy Care Kitchen Option

January 28, 2022 Post a Comment

When information technology comes to kitchen countertops, natural materials might exist the most pop option, just they are certainly not always the most affordable. Enter solid surface countertops like Corian, which have go increasingly popular cheers to their easy-care nature and more than affordable price points. Similar all other countertop materials, solid surface options might not exist the all-time choice for every homeowner and its best to do some research to determine if it works for y'all and your lifestyle.

What is a Solid-Surface Textile?

Solid surface materials are essentially manufactured from modern plastics. Polymer resins are combined with minerals like bauxite and dyes, creating a durable countertop surface. The material is typically produced in sheets of a standard countertop thickness. These tin can then be turned into countertops, backsplashes and other surfaces. Solid surface materials likewise let for integral sinks for a seamless finish, which not necessarily the case with all other materials. This is particularly truthful considering you lot can social club prefabricated versions that cost less than custom options.

Rational solid surface countertop with groove

The best-known brand of solid surface countertops is Corian, produced past Du p ont. The company invented the fabric in the 1960s, but since its patent has expired, the manufacturing information is now widely bachelor. Other companies producing solid surface countertop material include Wilsonart, Samsung's Staron, Swanstone, Livingstone, Avonite and Hanex.

x Advantages of Solid Surface Countertops

Nonporous — This makes them resistant to stains and easy to keep clean, says Solid Surface Designs Inc.
Very Germ-free — Being non-porous, this type of material does not mold, or mildew, and does not promote bacterial growth. Its like shooting fish in a barrel clean surface does not harbor leaner, which is why it is popular for not merely dwelling kitchens, but also hospitals and laboratories. It is also
Easy Care – Solid surfaces are piece of cake to make clean and require no special products or sealing.
Information technology's Solid — These countertops have the same material through and through. They have not veneer and they are non coated in any way.
Hands repaired — Yep, solid surface countertops tin scratch, merely any scratches, scuffs, small dents, and calorie-free burns can exist sanded out.
A seamless wait — When glued together tightly and sanded, seams near disappear.
Custom options — It is a versatile material that can be carved, sanded, and shaped with heat for course integrated bleed boards, curved sink openings, and other features.
Versatile – With the wide range of colors and custom options, solid surface materials are like shooting fish in a barrel to mix with other kitchen materials. It'southward a perfect option for tying together the kitchen equally the mutual thread among a variety of their materials.
Available in varying thicknesses – While many countertop materials come in a standard thickness, many solid surface brands offering a range of thicknesses that are still strong and durable. This material offers thinner profiles than most other materials.
No fading or wearing – Whereas many natural materials develop a "patina' from use and wear, solid surface materials exercise non. They maintain their pristine surface, with no fading or other signs of wear.

Corian Portland Outsider Kitchen Countertop

Four Downsides of Solid Surface Materials

Not Rut Resistant — At that place aren't many, simply the biggest downside to solid surface countertops is that you admittedly cannot put a hot pot straight on the surface. Much like it'south man-made cousin, Formica, a solid surface countertop is non heat resistant and can fire.
Non resistant to chemicals – Apparently soapy water is plenty to clean your countertop and you lot don't need to regularly use chemic cleaners, which can damage the surface over long periods of prolonged use.
Scratches and dents – Even though a solid surface is a durable and easy care material, it is not impervious to harm. It can dent if you lot drib something heavy on it and it can scratch, and so it's all-time to always utilize a cutting board.
Not a natural look – While technology has gotten better and many of the stone patterned solid surface materials are better than always, you won't be able to fool everyone.

White kitchen design with pops of yellow

About endless colour and blueprint options

Of all the countertop materials, this is the ane that offers the most color choices. There are literally hundreds of choices, including solids, metallics and stone-like patterns. Corian alone offers a portfolio of 118 colors. Information technology's also one of the few options if you are looking for a perfectly white countertop or a really brightly colored i. Dark colors are available but nicks and scratches are more probable to be visible on dark hued options ad the will probable require more cleaning. For Corian, three types of finishes are available: matte/satin, semi-gloss and high-gloss, says DuPont. Nearly countertops take a matte/satin end as practice all Corian sinks.

U shaped kitchen design with solid countertop

Those who love the look of natural stone simply don't accept the budget for information technology might want to consider a rock-patterned solid surface countertop. As the years have gone past, manufacturers have been able to make their solid surface countertops wait increasingly more like the existent thing. That said, if you take a big countertop surface, the seaming might be visible due to imperfect pattern matching. If that volition be bothersome, information technology'south best to choose a solid color or a pattern that does not have a definite grain line.

More uses than but countertops

Solid surface materials are nearly commonly found in kitchens equally countertops, but homeowners and designers are finding more than uses for it. You tin can unify your kitchen design by opting for the same solid surface fabric for sinks, backsplashes, tables, shelving, and even accessories.

What does a solid surface countertop cost?

While solid surface materials cost less than many other natural materials, they are not inexpensive. It's best to plan for $60 to $80 per foursquare human foot installed, depending on the color or cease you choose. Complex designs and involved configurations, along with the mount, edges and inlays can make fabrication and installation soar to $130 a square foot. Some brands, such equally Corian, offer a 10-year warranty but fabrication and installation must be done by a trained person.

Solid surface kitchen design with island extension

The thicker the solid surface material, the more than durable and damage resistant. The thinnest type is most affordable. Corian makes several thicknesses including .25, .5 and .75 inches.

Caring for a solid surface countertop

Solid surface countertops are likely the lowest maintenance option of all, similar to granite and quartz.

No sealing required due to the non-porous an durable nature of the material.
These countertops are like shooting fish in a barrel to clean because you need is soapy water.
Any soil buildup can be removed with non-abrasive kitchen cleaner and a non-scratch scrubbing pad.
Impairment, such as burns, chips, or scratches can be repaired past filling and sanding the spot. You can do small-scale repairs yourself past sanding or rubbing the surface with an annoying scrub using a lite bear upon. Deep scratches and dents are all-time repaired past a professional.
Preventing h2o marks past keeping your countertop dry out, and don't exit water puddles on it for long periods of fourth dimension. Continuing water can cause a movie to develop, giving the surface a wearisome look.
If you choose a semi-gloss and high-gloss finish, you'll demand to use a countertop polish such to keep the higher luster.

Straightforward installation

Solid surface countertops are manufactured as sheets that are later formed into countertops. Typically an installer will exercise a rough calculation so that he or she tin can go a general price quote. When the homeowner accepts the estimate, the installer comes back to get the verbal measurements and create an exact template. The countertop is then manufactured and then installed on a plywood base of operations. Countertop creation typically takes four to six weeks and installation generally takes merely a mean solar day.

Eco Friendly?

While solid surface countertops come across all the emissions guidelines for volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and hazardous air pollutants (HAPs), they are still not natural materials. Some homeowners opt not to have solid surface countertops because they are essentially made from plastics that come from non-renewable resources, notes TheKitchn. For these reasons they have a loftier ecology touch on, in improver to the fact that they are non recyclable and the manufacturing process is free energy intensive.

Can I DIY a Solid Surface countertop?

For most people, the reply to DIY with this cloth is no. In virtually cases, solid surface countertops can only exist installed by professionals licensed by the manufacturer or distributor. Due to the fact that the material is traditionally fabricated to a one/2-inch-thick superlative with an underlay that makes it announced thicker materials. This requires special expertise to install properly.

That said, there are tutorials online as well as purveyors from whom you tin can buy your own materials to install your own solid-surface countertops. Those who have a lot of DIY experience tin probably handle it, however, it is not for a novice weekend warrior.

In addition to buying your countertop material, you'll have to have a two-part adhesive gun, adhesive, router bits and abrasives to fit an orbital sander. This is in addition to the regular woodworking tools y'all will demand. The material tin be cut and routed just similar woods.

Of all the countertop materials, solid surfaces may have the fewest downsides. If the environmental footprint of the manufacturing procedure is not an issue for yous, solid surface countertops are a peachy option because of their durability, versatility and easy care nature.

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Source: https://www.homedit.com/solid-surface-countertops/