Are solid surfaces a thing of the past? It seems, at times, that Corian and other, similar solid surface brands like Formica, Wilsonart or Avonite get pushed to the back burner when it comes to lists of the hot, “in” countertop materials such as marble or quartz.
Don’t pay attention to those trends, though – solid surfaces are still top sellers, and are just as relevant today as when they were first entering our homes in the ‘60s and ‘70s. Its selling points haven’t gone anywhere – solid surfaces are still highly durable, stain resistant, easy to repair in case of minor scratches, heat resistant, available in a wide range of colors and styles and reasonably priced. It’ll never truly go away, because no other surface can offer everything solid surfaces give you.
That being said, there are several reasons why solid surface continues to be one of the best-selling surfaces on the market, even 50 years after it was first created. Here are just a few:
Solid Surface Isn’t Yet Dated
A surface really only becomes dated when everyone stops using it – that’s why you don’t see much avocado green linoleum or shag carpeting being installed anymore; as people stopped wanting it, it became considered old and dated. The wide range of colors and patterns you can get solid surface in prevents it from falling victim to those sorts of trends and, according to Time magazine, solid surface countertops are still tied for the third most popular countertop material today. It may not be as “in” as quartz or granite, but it’s still one of the most commonly selected options available.
Solid Surface is Durable
Renovating a kitchen is a major project! It’s certainly not something you want to do over and over again – you want to make sure that your new kitchen lasts the test of time. There isn’t a surface out there more durable than solid surface – while it’s possible to scratch, it’s nowhere near as fragile or damage-prone as granite or marble. Most damage can be easily repaired with a scrubber sponge – it’s incredibly low-maintenance. That means it’s a choice you can count on to last the lifetime of your kitchen.
Solid Surface is a Good Investment
If you select a trendy, “in” kitchen material for your design, you’re running a risk. Remember when we mocked those avocado countertops a few paragraphs back? Well, if you grab on to the latest craze, it’s possible your trendy, hip style will become the next shag carpet or frilly window treatment. Solid surface, however, has stood the test of time, and that gives it those two magic words: “resale value”. If you’ve ever been home shopping and saw a truly outdated kitchen, it probably made you think twice about making an offer. Solid surface helps keep your kitchen looking great, and your home’s resale value up.