Solid Surface

This page is sponsored by ISSFA.

PRODUCT OVERVIEW
There is something special about solid surface. In fact, there are many performance characteristics that make solid surface products truly unique. Some performance characteristics that all solid surfaces share are: it’s solid; homogeneous (color and pattern all the way through); machinable; hard; non-porous; stain and chemical-resistant; fire-resistant; reparable; it endures; and it’s esthetically pleasing. It’s a decorative surface that has a smooth feel and seamless beauty that is meant to be seen.

Most solid surface materials combine two main ingredients: a natural mineral (the "filler") and a resin (the "binder”), along with various additives (pigments, UV absorbers, catalyst, stabilizers, etc). These are combined and then cast in curing processes that result in a sheet or a shape. Acrylic and polyester are the two main "families" of resins used to make solid surface. A purely acrylic-based resin yields a sheet that is thermoformable--that is, it can be heated and bent to a new shape. To offer continuous improvement, solid surface additives are continually and carefully being tweaked and changed in coordination with enhancements in technology.

The filler of choice in most solid surface is alumina tri-hydrate (ATH). ATH is refined from bauxite ore, a form of clay, so solid surface starts as one of the most abundant and natural minerals on earth. According to ISSFA, “ATH has great physical properties.” ATH gives solid surface excellent chemical and stain resistance; excellent water-resistance; nice translucency; impact-resistance, and it makes solid surface hard enough to give superb wear-resistance but “soft” enough to be machinable. One last almost magical property: not only will it not burn, but because it has “water in hydration”, when attacked by heat ATH actually releases steam. This makes it a natural fire-retardant.”

Most solid surface is made with a special “white” grade of highly refined ATH that offers a high degree of translucency and allows for bright, pure light colors, especially white. The palette of colors and patterns include solids, speckled, and faux-stone patterns. The material can be finished with a matte or high gloss sheen. Due to market demands for dark colored solid surface that didn’t show scratches as much (from the whiteness of the ATH), Avonite created its Class III colors which contain no ATH at all. This was a conscious choice by Avonite that provides a range of dark, extremely rich, deep-looking colors, but loses its fire-resistance and some of its hardness.

APPLICATIONS
“Solid surface countertops, probably solid surface's most familiar application, are becoming standard features on many new home projects as consumers discover what a wonderful product it is.” Magnificent new color palettes from the manufacturers as well as outrageous new fabrication techniques from the fabricators mean that solid surface countertops can be as beautiful as any competing surface. Because the material is colored all the way through, the slab can be carved, inlaid, molded, or sandblasted to create a unique custom countertop. It also has a seamless look as the seams are molecularly bonded to create an invisible seam.

Another unique benefit of solid surface countertops is the ability to fuse the countertop and bowl together--creating an integral sink. It’s easy to clean up and work around this area because the countertop and bowl flow into each other without a projecting lip. (For more information see our SINKS Section.) Your fabricator can even craft a custom routed drainboard or inlay designs in your sink or top! Because it is so easy to maintain, you can also install solid surface as a tall backsplash behind your sink, oven, or any other area that will get food and water splatters.

INSTALLATION
The most important choice a consumer can make when it comes to selecting a solid surface countertop is the fabricator who will actually manufacture and install it. Solid surface is incredibly fabrication sensitive and solid surface fabrication is a highly skilled and ever-changing field. Only a full-time professional who is active in maintaining his expertise, skill and training levels; someone who works with the product every day, can hope to keep up. In the hands of the true solid surface craftsman, a solid surface installation is as robust and permanent as anything in the house. But in the hands of someone who is less skilled, a carpenter or woodworker who does solid surface "on the side", for example, cracks and worse are inevitable. Also, its substantial weight needs good support--both from the base cabinetry and from the flooring.

To help insure a quality job, it is highly recommended that you hire a fabricator/installer who is a member of the International Solid Surface Fabricators Association (ISSFA) and thus agrees to observe the ISSFA Fabricator Member Code of Ethics. To find an ISSFA fabricator member in your area, visit the ISSFA Fabricator Member Directory; “log in” on our web site and click our “Local Resources” box (bottom right corner); or call the ISSFA National Headquarters at 702-567-8150.

COST
According to the ISSFA, “Both acrylic and polyester resins start life as petroleum, and thus their cost is tied at least indirectly to the price of oil. But other supply and demand factors enter in to make the chemical market extremely volatile (no pun intended) price-wise. At today’s prices, acrylic is approximately 25 percent more than the cost of polyester.” Choose a good quality solid surface product to get the most for your money from fabrication to the longevity of its look. Depending upon the market and fabrication specifications, solid surface may be almost as costly or even more than granite or marble--but it’s well worth the investment. If cost is an issue, but you want the look and features of solid surface, check out solid surface veneer, which can cost about 20-30% less. However, colors and edge treatments are limited in veneers.

To review the many benefits of Solid Surface and its relative cost to other countertop materials, check out “Counter Points” from This Old House Online (go to page 6 “Solid Surface” and page 9 “A Snapshot of Counter Materials”).

MAINTENANCE / DURABILITY
As mentioned earlier, solid surface is hard; non-porous; stain and chemical-resistant; fire-resistant--in a word--enduring. The surface is extremely durable and easy to maintain with just a mild nonabrasive cleanser and damp cloth or sponge. Most household staining agents and chemicals, and even some industrial chemicals, will not damage it. While chemically and technically, nothing is 100% non-porous, solid surface is very close.

Strongly bonded, and in the case of acrylic - molecularly bonded, invisible seams mean limitless design possibilities as well as superior hygienic performance. And because solid surface is virtually non-porous, most bacteria and fungi simply cannot grow on it--including salmonella. It is for this reason that solid surface and stainless steel are the only two surfaces that have received the NSF 51 approval for use in food preparation areas.

Unless damaged, solid surface should theoretically remain unchanged for hundreds of years. Solid surface is harder than wood, but not as hard as steel. It is unaffected by water and changes in humidity. That said, it is recommended that you do not use it as a cutting board or place hot pots on its surface. However, if and when this happens, dents, abrasions, and burn marks can be repaired with a light sanding. The majority of solid surface products are repairable.

NATIONAL PARTNER
As one of our National Partners, we are pleased that the International Solid Surface Fabricators Association ­ (ISSFA) supports our mission to help educate homeowners about this unique product.

INTERNATIONAL SOLID SURFACE FABRICATORS ASSOCIATION (ISSFA)

The ISSFA is a not-for-profit trade association established to represent, support and benefit the common interests of the world's solid surface fabricators. These goals are accomplished through education, promotion, improving industry standards, communication and cooperation with suppliers, exchange of technology and experience, and uniting for our common benefit.

Members must meet a 14-point membership requirement and abide by the ISSFA Fabricator Member Code of Ethics. These guidelines help insure a quality job. Of its entire current member companies (U.S. and 28 foreign countries), its fabricator companies are responsible for a large part of the solid surface materials/products fabricated and installed worldwide. The combined purchasing decisions made by ISSFA members total over one billion dollars annually.

In short, the best guarantee for good solid surface fabrication and installation is to choose an ISSFA fabricator member. There is no other group or association besides ISSFA whose sole responsibility is to look out for the health and quality of the solid surface industry.