Delorie Countertops & Doors opened in Pompano Beach, FL in 1999. Since then we have continued to grow into one of the premier countertop fabricators and cabinet door, component and cabinetry distributors in Southeast Florida.
In the 50 years since their invention, solid surface countertops have become one of the most popular materials in kitchens and bathrooms worldwide. Once a trendy but niche option, solid surface acrylic has achieved popularity beyond even the granite, it was created to mimic. It’s not hard to see why; solid surface acrylic marries the gorgeous colors and natural stone patterns with the affordability and ease of installation of other acrylics. As a result, solid surface countertops are the perfect mid-range option for the savvy homeowner, less expensive than stone but much more attractive than basic laminate.
Where Did Solid Surface Countertops Come From?
The origins of solid surface countertops date back to the mid-1960s at DuPont. The initial idea was to create a countertop surface with all the advantages of stone – the colors, patterns, and toughness – but with one significant improvement: it would be nonporous. The chaotic particles that make a stone so beautiful also make it easy to crack, weakening the material. The porousness of natural stone countertops also makes them vulnerable to water damage and allows bacteria to sneak into the holes in the surface, creating an unhygienic and sometimes even dangerous cooking environment.
Solid surface countertops were also designed to avoid some of the weaknesses of other artificial countertop materials, like laminate. Laminate materials are made of synthetic sheets on top of particleboard, making them easier to damage. On the other hand, solid surface countertops are the same down, providing a much sturdier base. It also means they’re much easier to repair. The fact that laminate designs are only on the top layer of the surface means that laminate countertops are impossible to repair if scratched or chipped. On the other hand, solid surface countertops can be easily ground or sanded down past the chips and scratches while still maintaining the same appearance.
What Are Solid Surface Countertops Made Of?
Unlike laminate, which is made by combining separate layers of acrylic and wood, solid surface countertops are created in a single material that can be shaped and molded to fit any area. Aluminum trihydrate (ATH) is mixed with various binding resins and pigments; then heat is applied to bind the whole thing together chemically. The result is a single, nonporous material that can be cut, sanded, and molded into any shape your kitchen or bathroom requires. While most solid surface countertops are created to look like granite or other stones, there’s quite a bit of variety in the styles available today. You can get concrete surface countertops that look like stone, sleek solid white, or anything in between.
As a savvy consumer, you should always make a point of comparing your options to make sure you’re getting the best possible solution for you. Here are a few advantages that solid surface countertops have over some of their most common competitors:
No countertop surface will be 100% perfect, and each one has its advantages and disadvantages. Here’s a quick summation of the pros and cons of opting for a solid surface countertop:
If you’re interested in adding a solid surface countertop to your kitchen or have more questions, please give us a call at (954) 970-7661 or stop by our locations in Pompano Beach or Vero Beach. At Delorie Countertops & Doors, we have over 20 years of experience remodeling kitchens and bathrooms, and we’re eager to bring that experience to work for you. So the kitchen or bathroom of your dreams is only a call away!
