formica Archives - Solid Surface Countertops Toronto: Commercial & Residential

Is Solid Surface Outdated in 2017?

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.

Solid Surface Countertop Brands

When you’re deciding on solid surface countertops, you may be surprised to see the wide variety of brands available. Different companies offer their own unique solid surface styles, each with their own selection of colors, finishes and other options. It can be a bit overwhelming for the first-time buyer, but each brand offers its own strengths and weaknesses.

DuPont Corian

Solid surfaces were invented by DuPont in 1967, and its Corian brand was, for many years, the only brand available, until their patent ran out and competitors can enter the market. The original solid surface is still a very solid choice. It comes in a wide variety of styles and colors, and is still the leading brand in the industry. Corian is backed by one of the best warranties in the industry, and has a proven track record of durability—it’s still the gold standard among solid surface brands.

Wilsonart

Wilsonart is best known for its laminate countertops, but they’ve been involved in the solid surface industry for over a decade and make some fine options. Their main selling point is their variety; Wilsonart offers more than 80 colors and patterns to choose from. They used to have quality control issues, offering a “solid surface veneer” that cracked and shattered, but their current offerings are much better in quality and definitely worth considering.

Samsung Staron

When you think “Samsung”, you think televisions and mobile devices, not countertops. However, Samsung’s Staron brand is one of the more attractive solid surfaces available on the market. Their Tempest line of semi-translucent metallic finishes has them stand out from the pack; they’re not like any other brand on the market today. Their more traditional offerings promise to give you Corian-style quality at cheaper prices.

Avonite

Avonite offers both polyester-based and acrylic-based solid surfaces, and pioneered a new technology allowing them to create incredibly long sheets of acrylics. While you’re likely not in the market for a 300-foot kitchen counter, it goes to show you that they’re an innovative and established company. With both the polyester and acrylic options, Avonite gives customers the widest range of budget choices, as polyester-based solid surfaces generally are cheaper than their acrylic-based counterparts. That doesn’t mean they’re of lesser quality, however; polyester tends to stand up against harsh chemicals better and can achieve a higher polish.

Formica

Like Wilsonart, Formica is better known for its laminate countertops, to the point where “Formica” is often used as the generic term for laminate. However, they’ve been transitioning into the world of solid surface, and have come out with some exciting colors and styles in recent years, and are a rapidly-growing name in the solid surface world.

There are many other brands available, with Hanex and LG HI-MACS getting their fair share of use, as well. Ultimately, the choice for best surface to use will depend on your precise requirements. An expert solid surface professional can help make sure you’re making the right choice for your home.