Solid surface is a non-porous low-maintenance countertop surface.
A man-made product, it has the ability to mimic the appearance of stone,
wood and other naturally occurring materials,
yet can be joined nearly invisibly by a trained craftsman.
Typically manufactured in sheet form for fabrication into finished countertops,
Sheet goods can also be heated and bent into three-dimensional shapes using a process
called thermoforming, which adds to the versatility of the product.
In a residential setting, solid surface can be used as kitchen countertops,
bathroom vanity tops and shower and tub surrounds. Countertop fabricators typically join solid surface sheets into desired shapes using a two-part adhesive, after which the cured joint is machined flat. The same method is used to create extra thick edges, which can be machined using tools and techniques similar to those used to work hardwoods.
A major appeal of solid surface is its seamless nature. Solid surface sinks, such as with cultured marble,
can be joined to the countertop surface with no gaps, which eliminates areas for water to collect
and bacteria to grow. Integral backsplashes can also be created that follow the contours
of the wall “seamlessly” and without gaps.
Should the material become scratched or broken, solid surface can, in most cases,
be repaired quickly by a trained fabricator. Because the surface is solid throughout,
a countertop that has undergone years of wear and tear can be refinished.
The installed product is available in a variety of finishes, ranging from matte to high-gloss, although most manufacturers recommend a matte or satin finish for ease of maintenance.
Price from Rm160/ft
Solid surface is available in hundreds of colors and visual textures,
Newly developed fillers and production techniques make it possible to create solid surface colors and patterns that transcend the natural,
to mimic the technoculture of the 21st Century.
Dozens of multi-national companies manufacture solid surface sheet goods and sinks for the world market; and hundreds of smaller,
regional manufacturers produce for local markets with good results.
Most well run manufacturers are part of an organization called "American Composites Manufacturers Association and ICPA (International Cast Polymer Association).[2]
particularly in residential new construction. An emerging market for solid surface is in commercial and industrial settings, where its non-porous characteristics,
combined with durability, renew-ability and form-ability make it the material of choice for many designers and architects. Also appealing, is the wide range of colors and textures,
as well as the ability to custom-color the material for large projects. Hospitals, in particular, employ large amounts of solid surface for sinks, showers, nursing stations and wall cladding, because its seamless properties eliminate gaps and crevices that harbor harmful bacteria.
