There are a lot of things that make a material a yay or nay for kitchen countertops. There are two popular types of engineered stone countertops: quartz countertops and solid surface countertops. Here is everything you need to know about solid surface countertops that you might have never heard before.

It’s Non-Porous

A lot of people don’t know about this fact. Solid surface countertops are not porous at all. This means that the stone does not consist of tiny holes that can suck in water and other liquids. This is a problem with a lot of natural stones, which is why countertops made out of these stones need to be sealed with a special agent that will fill up the pores and make them waterproof. Well, with solid surface countertops, you don’t need to worry about these things, as sealing isn’t necessary.

This also makes the material pretty low maintenance, making the lives of people easy and a breeze. Nothing can beat a material that is easy to maintain and take care of, because no one likes to slave over a material, all in the name of maintaining it.

It’s Man-Made

We all know that solid surface countertops are man-made, that’s not the interesting fact, rather it’s the composition of the material. Solid surface is generally made out of resin and pulverized minerals that are mixed together and made in a plethora of colors, designs, and patterns. Now, the minerals can differ, based on what the properties of the stone are.

Most commonly, bauxite, an aluminum derivative, is used as a base mineral for this material, because it adds strength, durability, and ruggedness to the material. It can also be made out of minerals like mica, calcium carbonate, pulverized stones, and the list goes on.

You can get different stones with specific compositions based on what color and properties you want the stone to have and the retailer will custom create a solid surface that’s fit for your kitchen and matches your preferences.

Not DIY Appropriate

This is a fact that not a lot of people will appreciate, especially the ones with creative minds. Solid surface isn’t a material that can be fabricated to your liking. There are only a few designs and edges that you can work with and that’s pretty much it. This can be a bummer because it’s a great material and a lot of people can turn it down because of this fact. Not everyone’s kitchen is going to be the same.

There are going to be different dimensions, different placements of certain things, and, most importantly, the sinks will be in all shapes and sizes. You will need to get the countertops made according to your dimensions and the shape of the sink. This can be a huge issue for solid surface countertops because they can’t be fabricated as easily as other man-made and natural stones.

The main reason why is the fact that this stone is actually pretty soft and any manipulation and overworking of the stone can lead to breakage and the entire thing will be ruined. This is also the reason why a lot of side edges can’t be made on this material because it will literally chip and break and that shaves off a lot of points.

It Can Be Damaged By Heat

Solid surface is great but that doesn’t mean that it’s indestructible. It can be greatly damaged by heat and can lead to the formation of ugly and dark stains on the countertop. Hot temperatures and solid surface together are a no-go.

This is why it’s recommended to keep a barrier between the countertops and the hot foods and utensils because even the slightest contact with scalding hot food can blister the countertops and removing these heat stains is a nightmare. So, things like cutting boards and metal trivets are perfect to use, because they provide a thick barrier between the altering temperatures and your countertops won’t be damaged at all.

Using trivets is better because they’re ventilated and it will not only allow the hot food to cool faster, but it will also keep the heat away from the countertop surface and that’s a huge plus.

It’s A Natural-Looking Stone

Even though solid surface is a man-made material, it still has the ethereal qualities of natural stones. It’s quite beautiful to look at, and if there is an addition of mica in it, then the slight sparkle and shimmer when the sun hits the surface is just so mesmerizing.

It’s known as one of the few man-made countertop materials that are absolutely gorgeous and up there with marble and granite countertops Raleigh NC as far as looks are concerned. It looks absolutely wonderful in small and large kitchens and it adds depth and dimension to the space that not a lot of man-made stones and materials can do.

Scratches Aren’t A Problem

Solid surface might be delicate when it comes to fabrication, but it sure isn’t scared of scratches. This material is pretty solid when it comes to protection against scratches and there are virtually none on the material, even if you use sharp things like knives and needles regularly on the surface of the countertops.

Since the material is literally made out of resin, there won’t be a possibility of scratches and even if some do form on the surface, they are a breeze to get rid of, without having to hire a professional. All you need is a soft sandpaper and you’re good to go. You’re going to buff the area that has scratches and the debris from the sanding will automatically fill in the scratch and it will be gone. It’s pretty easy and you won’t be ruining the appearance of your countertops either, because nothing is visible.

Affordable Than Most Materials

This might not come as a surprise, but it’s great news for most people. Solid surface is a pretty affordable stone and judging by the qualities it has, it surpasses a lot of natural stones. It’s decently durable, it doesn’t need maintenance, it’s easy to clean and the list goes on.

If you add affordability to the mix of qualities, then this material is nothing less than perfection. A lot of people keep the price in mind when going for a certain material, and although durability and popularity matter, the price is something that’s at the forefront of a lot of people’s minds and affordability is a main priority.

No Seams

Since this material is fabricated as a whole unit and then installed in the kitchen, it makes seams a non-issue. There is a huge problem with seams as far as other natural stones are concerned because those need to be installed in the form of a jigsaw puzzle and the seams can show sometimes, even though the contractor was careful.

Well, this isn’t going to be an issue with solid surface, which makes this material even better than a lot of its expensive and popular counterparts.

Conclusion

Solid surface is just one of the many kitchen countertop materials to choose from and now you know all of the interesting facts about it. Consult countertop replacement NC companies to find different colors and designs of solid surface countertops.