Kitchen Countertop – Solid Surface vs others

December 15, 2021

Remona Divekar

The market is full of options when it comes to countertop; Remona Divekar compares a few of them and how they fare against a solid surface

A countertop is to a kitchen is what a statement necklace is to an outfit; speaking volumes of a home's personality. Gone are the days of Carrara or Calacutta marble or about any material of sub-standard quality for kitchens and island countertops. Today there are lots of options in the market for kitchen countertops such as limestone, concrete, tile, and more adding that class factor to kitchens, complementing the entire space. Concrete countertops are the trendy things to infuse a home with a unique urban appearance.

Fusing artistic design with purposeful functionality inspired by the concepts of balance and tension in the solid surface countertops have been around for many years, innovated over the timelines. Solid surface counters have been around for 50 years, which over the point in time have proved to be an essential material that determines the look and feel of the kitchens from the floor to the ceiling, enhancing the overall outlook of the kitchens. Secondly, the available options have become more high-tech and luxurious, considering the availability of materials rich in versatility. While some material innovations might arguably be called faddish, concrete counters for one, haven't seized popular imagination, solid surfaces standing in the world of kitchen remodeling show no signs of faltering.

Kitchen Countertops Glossy

Solid in the world of solid surfaces

The word solid in solid-surface does evoke the idea that this is a stable base, unlike bouncy laminates with a peripheral meaning as a natural stone but non-porous, but they are engineered, which means man-made. Laminate is composed of layers; the solid surface is homogenous, which means that it can never de-laminate. Solid-surface material is the result of a scientific quest to create solid-surface material for residential and commercial designs.

A homogenous product primarily used as a countertop in kitchens is also one of the most popular options for desks at offices or airports. These solid surface countertops are not as natural looking as real stone countertops but over time, advancements were made in their overall user ability. However, it can be expensive than their real stone counterparts. A popular brand’s (DuPont) innovation, Corian continues to evolve and inspire designers and architects, artists, specifiers, and fabricators all over the world to reach new creative heights with this material.

Subtle coloured kitchen countertops

A renowned architect and interior designer from Mumbai says, “Solid surface countertops made with acrylic, marble dust, bauxite, epoxy or polyester resins, pigment and at times synthetic stone are popular choices in new home construction and remodeling. Sold under various brand names including Corian, Dekton, Avonite, and Silestone, these countertops offer a pleasing option for strength and looks. They resemble natural stone but aren’t porous. It looks like a stone on the surface, but inside, you will find something else. If you were to slice granite down the middle, you would find a variety of particles that make up the slab.” He further says that these countertops are durable and easy to clean and come in a huge variety of colours, making it easy for homeowners to find a style they like. Unlike laminate countertops, solid surface types are seamless.

There are different qualities of solid surface counters which include strong laminates, plastic that makes it more resistant to impact which is non-porous, able to resist bacteria, providing better sanitation for the kitchen. Acrylic-based-solid surfaces are of high quality, unlike polyester-based versions. Interior experts view polyester counters that have vibrant colours as suitable for thermoforming and other fancy fabrication work. Additionally, a solid surface with low porosity keeps bacteria away, promoting a cleaner countertop. Aluminum TriHydrate (ATH) which is a fine white powder helps to maintain smooth consistency, as compared with quartz, which is 10% resin and 90% minerals, such as marble, granite, and glass.