What Are Solid Surface Countertops?: A Beginner’s Guide
Choosing the right solid surface countertop can elevate the look of your home on a budget
Highlights
Solid surface countertops come in more than 100 colors and designs.
High temperatures from pots can affect solid surface countertops.
Quartz is considered more environmentally friendly than solid surface since it contains a large percentage of quartz crystals.
Solid surface counters are less expensive than some other materials like quartz or granite.
Choosing a countertop is an important decision that can determine how much time you spend keeping it up. Solid surface is a popular choice for kitchens and bathrooms because of its affordability, durability, and hygienic properties—but what are solid surface countertops? Whether they’re known as Corian® or Everform™, they can pay off when it comes to maintenance while upgrading the look of your home. Here is an overview of what they look like and what to consider before installing them in your home.
What Are Solid Surface Countertops?
Solid surface countertop materials are nonporous, making them a good choice for kitchens and bathrooms. They consist of approximately 33% binding resins and 66% mineral. Since they are nonporous, they are stain resistant, easy to clean and don't hold on to bacteria. It’s also scratch resistant, and thanks to its seamless design, it doesn’t have many crevices for dirt and germs to hide in. This also is why solid surfaces are known for their hygienic properties.
Unlike laminate, which essentially features layers of heavy paper and particleboard to create the surface, solid surface countertops are as their name states: solid throughout the entire countertop.
Corian® is one of the most popular solid surface countertops. Corian® is a brand created by DuPont that has become synonymous with solid surface countertops. A newer brand on the market comes from one better known for its laminate countertops: Formica®’s new line is called Everform™ Solid Surface. People will often use the brand names interchangeably for solid surface countertops.
Types of Solid Surface Countertops
There are two types of solid surface countertops: polyester-based and acrylic-based. Some solid surface kitchen countertop brands offer both types. Polyester-based are typically less expensive than acrylic, offer more vibrant color options, and resist chemicals but are not good candidates for fabrication or thermoforming.
Acrylic-based solid surface countertops may have fewer color options than polyester-based countertops but they are thermoformable, meaning they can be made into any shape you need as a countertop.
What Are the Pros and Cons of Solid Surface Countertops?
Solid surface countertops are durable, easy to clean, and have hygienic properties, meaning bacteria doesn’t linger. These traits make solid surface countertops particularly desirable in rooms like kitchens where people prepare meals or gather around to eat.
The composition of solid surfaces are thermoformable which allows for almost any design to be created in a seamless manner. As a man-made material, it’s also one of the most affordable and budget-friendly types of countertops.
Solid surface countertops are more prone to scratches than quartz countertops but those can be buffed pretty easily by sanding the area or filling the chips with a repair kit. A homeowner with an orbital sander or fine-grain sandpaper can sand down scratches, but hiring a professional can ensure it’s done right.
Solid surface countertops don’t handle high temperatures well so it’s best to use either a trivet or heat pad when placing hot pots and pans or other items on the surface.
The Difference Between Solid Surface Countertops and Quartz
Popular countertops include quartz and solid surface countertops like Corian®. Both materials are synthetic and contain minerals and resins.
Solid surface countertops come in more than 100 colors with new colors introduced every year. Choices range from whites, natural tones, and minty green, and some styles mimic natural stone. The material is thermoformable, which means it can be heated and thermoformed into curves or other designs based on a designer’s specifications. By comparison, if one was to consider how to cut granite countertops, you’d need specific tools and care to avoid cracking since granite is a natural stone.
Quartz is considered engineered stone because 90% to 94% quartz crystals are mixed with 6% to 10% epoxy resin. The most popular brand is Cambria® and like Corian®, comes in a wide variety of colors and designs, some strikingly close to natural stone with veining similar to marble or colors similar to granite. In fact, some choose quartz as an alternative to natural stone since it’s more budget-friendly. Also, since it’s made using a large percentage of quartz crystals, many consider this material an eco-friendly countertop.
The composition of solid surface and quartz is among their key differences since it informs how each handles heat. Corian® is heat resistant (emphasis on resistant) while quartz acts more like natural stone in terms of strength and ability to handle much higher temperatures.
Cost is another differentiating factor between the countertops. Both quartz and solid surface countertops often make the cut for kitchen countertop ideas on a budget, but solid surface countertops are typically less expensive than quartz countertops.
Are Solid Surface Countertops Worth the Price?
How much solid surface countertops cost is mostly dependent on size. Corian® countertops cost approximately $3,950, depending on thickness, design, and style. In comparison, a typical butcher block countertop costs $2,000 to $5,000, depending on the size and quality.
Solid surface countertops are an affordable and solid choice in kitchens or bathrooms, which explains why they’re a popular option for those seeking budget-friendly countertops and an upgrade from laminate.
It’s possible to cut and install your own solid surface countertops. You can also hire a professional Corian® countertop installer near you to make sure the job gets done right.