Solid Surface Countertop: A Practical Alternative for Your Melbourne Kitchen
30 May 2022Solid surface countertops have been a standard in kitchens and bathrooms for more than 50 years. It’s hard to find a countertop material other than quartz that has achieved the same level of acceptance as what was formerly considered trendy. Additionally, in terms of price, a solid surface is an excellent choice for a kitchen countertop. Homeowners who don’t like laminate but yet want a low-cost countertop sometimes turn to a solid surface. It is one of the few countertop materials that an orbital sander is all that is needed to bring it back to its former glory. A solid surface material may not have the optical depth of natural stone or even quartz, but it does look more like stone than laminate. After weighing the advantages and disadvantages of several countertop materials, many customers choose a solid surface for their final choice.
Made With Thick Acrylic, Polyester, or a Mix of the Two
Solid surface countertops are made of mineral particles, a bonding resin, and pigments. Most of the time, alumina trihydrate (ATH) is used as a natural mineral filler, and resins are made of polyester, acrylic, or a mix of the two. When choosing a solid surface material for your kitchen, it may not be clear whether the product is made of polyester or acrylic. Before making a decision, look up the product’s technical specs to make sure it will work best for your needs.
Nonporous and Easy to Clean
One of the best things about solid surface materials is that they are almost resistant, which makes them easy to clean. Solid surface materials are often used around sinks, in showers, and on walls in hospitals and other healthcare facilities because they don’t let bacteria grow because they aren’t porous. Unlike natural stone countertops, solid surface countertops don’t need to be sealed because the resins that make them are inherently nonporous.
Quartz is the only cheap countertop material that works just as well since it is also nonporous. Since butcher block countertops are made of wood, they are very porous and hard to clean. Ceramic tile countertops with grout between each tile are also hard to clean. Even expensive materials like marble are porous and not as clean as solid surface countertops.
Remedy to Heat Damage and Scratches
Many heat-resistant countertop materials can be harmed by excessive heat. Solid surface countertops can withstand heat up to 212 degrees Fahrenheit (boiling water), but a hot pot or skillet will scorch or discolour them. It’s easy to resurface scorch or burn to make it look new. Additionally, because of the softness of the material, solid surface countertops are prone to scuffs and scratches. Knives and other tools can cause unpleasant scratches on them. White solid surface countertops may be the best choice for active prep areas like kitchens because scratches in solid surface material appear white.
It’s a good thing that this countertop is so uncomplicated to fix. Solid surfaces, in contrast to many other materials, can be sanded using a random orbital sander and fine-grain sandpaper, which should only be repaired by specialists. The same procedure can be used to restore the counter’s appearance after it has been damaged by burns.
What qualities would you prefer in your dream solid surface kitchen countertop? TKIC is a Melbourne-based team of solid surface benchtop fabricators. We provide cabinet makers and builders who offer domestic clients, medical clients, shopfittingorganisations, and specialised componentry for all, primarily in Melbourne and larger Melbourne, but also in regional areas. We’re official suppliers and fabricators of Lotto Staron, Laminex Hi-macs, Forest One Meganite, DuPont Corian surfaces, Marblo, and more. Contact us now to discover more about our services and products!
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