Archives for May 2015

May 22, 2015 By

What to Know When Shopping for Solid Surface Countertops

When it comes to interior design, solid surface countertops are usually admired by anyone who comes into contact with them. From a busy restaurant kitchen to a newly renovated residential bathroom, impressive countertop spaces are cherished by their owners for good reason.

 

However, while people often appreciate solid surface countertops, they rarely talk about the details that are so important for the selection of the most suitable countertop for whatever purpose the buyer is shopping for. Regardless of whether a home cook needs something solid to chop and roll on, or whether a commercial hotel needs durable solid surface vanities for its bathroom upgrade, careful consideration is required.

 

What Kind of Solid Surface Countertops am I Looking For?

 

If you are looking to buy solid surface countertops—especially if the concept is new to you—then its purpose should guide your purchase:

 

Home

A Wilsonart solid surface countertop is a worthwhile choice if you are buying for a home installation, as the acrylic organic Wilsonart Solid Surface products can be post-formed to create customized appearances in more than 50 colors, while its easy-to-clean toughness is complemented by a water resistance that also guards against dirt and food particles.

 

Commercial

Corian countertops are appropriate if you are shopping for a commercial setting like an eatery or an office building. Corian solid surface countertops are certified by Du Pont, as the company engineered the solid surface material.

 

While a variety of colors and designs is on offer, Corian’s emphasis lies in flexibility and durability—the former allows it to be shaped for any purpose, without affecting its beautiful appearance, while the latter’s non-porous, stain-resistant properties mean that Corian countertops are built to withstand intensive use and maintain a resistance to bacteria.

 

Healthcare

Solid surface for healthcare is highly recommended, as the material is ideal for the design of hygienic environments. An Avonite solid surface countertop stands out in this regard, as not only is its non-porous and heat- and stain-resistant surface easy to clean, but the product’s GreenGuard certification means that the material improves the surrounding air quality.

Like anything, experience is a great advantage when shopping for solid surface countertops. We have been assisting both residential and commercial buyers since 2001, so in Toronto, the advantage is simply a phone call away.

Filed Under: blog, solid surface countertops
May 12, 2015 By

How to Prevent Scratches on an Avonite Solid Surface

Homeowners and businesses are stopping at one brand when they need to select from the different solid surface countertops on the market: Avonite solid surface products. Like other prominent brands, countertops made from Avonite solid surface material are sturdy, and their flexibility means that an approved fabricator can manipulate the material to suit your design.

Particularly for parents and conscientious businesspeople, the health benefits are what make Avonite solid surface countertops attractive. Avonite solid surface material has been specifically designed for adaptability—whether it is used in residential or service environments—so dirt can be easily wiped away, while a NSF51 certification ensures that bacteria cannot survive on the non-porous surface.

The health benefits don’t stop there, though, as Avonite solid surface products are GreenGuard certified because their composition enhances the surrounding air quality. When such superiority is at hand, care is a foremost concern.

Managing Scratches on Avonite Solid Surface Countertops

  1. Prevention
  • Excessive heat can damage Avonite’s solid surface material, and more than a scratch will eventuate if you are not careful, so it is always best to use a hot pad or trivet whenever you need to set down a hot kitchen item.
  • Cutting boards are essential for owners of Avonite solid surface While Avonite’s solid surface material is super-tough, an especially sharp knife or cutting instrument is likely to leave an unsightly mark. Always use a cutting board for all chopping and dicing.
  • If you have Avonite solid surface material in your home or workplace, then always remember that the surface can be scratched by any material that is harder than the solid surface itself—especially if it is high gloss. Ceramics and glassware are examples of materials that need to be buffered by felt protectors.
  1. Maintenance and Repair
  • Avonite solid surface material is advantageous because the pattern runs all the way through the surface, which means that repairing scratches simply involves sanding with grit paper. For matte finish surfaces, use 240 grit paper. For satin finish and high gloss, use 400 grit paper.
  • For considerable scratches, or when the Avonite solid surface material is a polished finish top, an Avonite solid surface fabricator should be used to complete the repair.

In Toronto, Avonite solid surface material contributes to the sophistication of a world-class city. It can stay that way so long as we are careful.

Filed Under: Avonite Solid Surface, blog
May 2, 2015 By

The Advantages of Corian Countertops

Corian Countertops are considered to be the distant cousin of more glamorous countertops like granite or quartz. They are considered to be an expensive product but there are still a number of higher-end options that will cost more to have installed. The thing that sets Corian Countertops apart would have to be their aesthetic. If you are planning on having a kitchen counter, backsplash as well as a sink replaced, then Corian Countertops can be made to give off the appearance that they are all one solid surface, and that’s just one of many benefits they are able to offer.

Why Choose Corian Countertops?

Corian can be used for a wide variety of applications including solid surface countertops, solid surface vanities, as well as solid surfaces for healthcare. There are a number of reasons why many people are choosing this option over others, which include:

  1. Easy to Clean – Corian countertops are easier to clean than most other solid surface countertops. No fancy, overly expensive products are required to clean them. Simply using warm water and soap and then wiping it dry after it is cleaned will usually be enough.
  2. Limitless Designs – They can be molded through a process known as “thermoforming,” which is unique to this material. This gives it great versatility and allows it to be used for a wide variety of applications, in a wide range of styles. In some cases, the countertops can even be illuminated.
  3. Seams – Corian countertops solve one of the biggest problems in the world of countertops – seams. Seams have traditionally been considered a weakness in countertops and can often lead to bacteria growth and unhygienic conditions (less than ideal in a kitchen) if not properly maintained. Corian countertops don’t have them, so this isn’t an issue.
  4. Price – Cheaper than many alternative countertop materials such as quartz, granite and marble. However, while they cost less, they are just as aesthetically pleasing as the others.
  5. Repairs & Maintenance – They are slightly more susceptible to damage than other surface materials but they are also easier to take care of and repair work doesn’t usually require any drastic action unlike with other countertop products.
  • Scratches- They can be sanded out. Deeper scratches would leave a slight indentation but the scratch itself can be made to disappear. If the damage is too extensive, resurfacing is also an option.
  • Maintenance- Be sure to avoid placing hot pots or pans directly on the surface of the countertop. Also, try at all costs to not cut or slice anything on the surface of the countertop to avoid scratches. A cutting board, or heat proof mat should do the trick.
  1. Long Lifespan- Corian countertops are designed to withstand a lifetime of usage. It is sturdy and completely unaffected by humidity, an area in which wood countertops fall short.

If you are looking to remodel your kitchen or any other solid surface in your home, Corian is definitely the way to go. For a countertop that will make your living space stand out from the rest, contact the team at Solid Surface in Toronto, a trusted expert, for all your countertop needs.

Filed Under: blog, Corian Countertops