January 31, 2023 By

Essential Guide to Solid Surface Countertops 2023

how-much-kitchen-renovation-cost

Are you ready to upgrade your kitchen? Knowing how much kitchen renovation cost, choosing a durable kitchen countertop will save you time and money. Solid surface countertops have durable construction and long-lasting beauty. They are made of a blend of acrylic and polyester material, making them resistant to scratches, heat damage, and fading due to UV light. Compared to other materials like tile or marble countertops which can crack or chip with heavy use, solid surface countertops will maintain their shape and colour over time. 

Solid Surface Countertops Have Very Low Maintenance

Unlike other kinds of countertops, such as natural stone that require regular sealing, sanding and polishing, solid surface countertops make it easy to keep them looking fresh. You only need a wipe-down with warm water and dish detergent to keep your counters clean. For a family, how much kitchen renovation cost includes longtime maintenance. Do you want a countertop that you can use for years and affordably maintain? Choose a solid surface. 

Contemporary Colours and Styles for Every Home 

Solid surface countertops come in a fantastic array of colours, textures, patterns and finishes. Easily customize your kitchen or bathroom décor according to your style preferences. From sleek marble look-alikes with sharp edges for traditional-style kitchens to edges for contemporary designs, select the right kind of solid surface countertop for your home.

Worry-Free Installation

Installing a solid surface countertop is much easier than installing other countertops. Why? Your new countertops come in pre-cut sections easily attached to existing surfaces. The installers can attach the new surface to cabinets or walls without having to do extensive remodelling work in the process. 

Most sections clip into each other. No screws or glue is required during installation. This also makes it easier to make any repairs without removing large portions of the countertop itself if its components sustain any damage over time. A solid surface is a hassle-free option for every homeowner. 

Choose from a Wide Range of Customizable Patterns 

Solid surface countertops are highly customizable. Solid surfaces come in various patterns and colours, including classic shades such as black, gray and white. Mix different coloured panels together to create unique patterns perfect for matching any décor theme. Meet with our design team to discuss the incredible options available.

A Clean Sterile Surface

A safe kitchen countertop is necessary today. Solid surfaces provide a nonporous surface that protects your family from mould, bacteria, and viruses. Easy to sanitize, solid surface countertops remain popular in homes, medical settings, and public cafeterias where health and safety come first. Doesn’t your family deserve that type of protection?

Call Solid Surface Today

Your family deserves high-quality kitchen countertops. We have a wide selection of custom countertops, styles, and colours perfect for every home. Our team would be happy to find the right countertop for your home and budget. Contact us today. We pride ourselves on providing high-quality craftsmanship and the best materials. You deserve the best kitchen countertops. We look forward to speaking with you. Call us.

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December 31, 2022 By

Kitchen Remodel Planning: It’s Not As Difficult as You Think

Remodelling your kitchen can be daunting, but it doesn’t have to be. With a step-by-step plan, you can take the overwhelming design process and make it manageable. Start with measuring the space, choosing materials and appliances, and deciding on the layout. From there, you’ll be well on your way to achieving the kitchen of your dreams. Need some new kitchen ideas to guide you? Read on for professional tips to help you through your new kitchen remodel.

Find the Perfect Kitchen Layout

When selecting your kitchen counter layout, consider factors like accessibility, functionality and flow. Also, view the material you’ll use and your family’s lifestyle. Some materials, like solid surface, are more forgiving for large families and busy households. Popular new kitchen ideas include a double kitchen island, beautiful solid surface countertops with farmhouse sinks, and creating a small butler’s pantry. 

Your layout determines how you will function in the space. Measure everything carefully and ensure you can cook and entertain comfortably in your new kitchen. Speak with your kitchen remodelling team about what layout works best for your family.

What Design Works for You?

The top kitchen design for 2023 is an open-plan kitchen with contrasting solid surface countertops. Countertop colours are chosen in shades of grey and black to create a unique look. This trend brings a fresh and updated look to any kitchen design with extra storage, integrated appliances, and modern lighting fixtures.

Go With the Best Countertop

Solid surface countertops offer a variety of benefits, including durability, non-porous surfaces that resist bacteria growth and staining, beauty, customize-ability and easy maintenance. The range of colours and designs available can be a great addition to any kitchen. Whether you have a 20th-century-inspired modern kitchen or a more Minimalist space, you can find a solid surface solution for your home. 

Make Your Kitchen a Smart Kitchen

In 2023, the latest and greatest kitchen appliances will feature innovative technology, with Wi-Fi connectivity, voice control and custom setup options. Popular choices include refrigerators with cameras that alert the user when food is spoilage, wall ovens with automatic adjustment settings and dishwashers equipped with self-cleaning cycles. Additionally, custom lighting options add more security and safety to the home. 

Design Ideas for Small Spaces

If you’re looking to update your kitchen countertop and have a small space, you have plenty of options. From sleek countertops to stackable kitchen islands, these trendy designs can quickly become the centrepiece of your kitchen. With the right blend of style, durability, and functionality, create a beautiful, functional space tailored to your needs. Smaller spaces benefit from hidden storage spaces and practical lighting. 

Best Kitchen Storage Solutions for 2023

Maximize your kitchen counter space with storage solutions ranging from countertop shelves and drawers to mounting accessories and backsplashes. These simple organizational strategies provide quick and easy access to the items you need for all your cooking, cleaning and meal prep needs.

When you want the best solid surface design in the region, contact the experts at Solid Surface. We pride ourselves on providing the best materials and design for every client, no matter their budget. Call us today. We would love to help you. 

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May 28, 2022 By

What Industry Experts Say About Contemporary Kitchen Design

kitchen-cabinets-and-countertops

What are the hottest kitchen trends in 2022? This year expect a return to bold colours, beautiful patterns, and stunning surfaces. This year homeowners will combine their love of modern kitchen cabinets and countertops with a more whimsical aesthetic. They will embrace the practical with the fun, truly showcasing their personal unique taste. 

Bold Statements 

This year expect kitchens to range from adorable pink to sunflower yellow. Combine stunning backsplashes, brightly coloured kitchen cabinets and countertops, and unique accessories to give your space a unique look. Solid surface countertops offer a wide variety of colour options. With almost limitless choices, you can find a countertop that will match any colour scheme you want. Homeowners today want to make a strong statement in their kitchen. Gone are the bland white kitchens of yesteryear. Instead, embrace your personality, embrace your uniqueness! 

Smart Lighting 

Another way to modernize your kitchen is to embrace smart lighting. Custom lighting design adds extra functionality and brightness. Additionally, program lights to adjust for daytime or perhaps set a mood. Select from a variety of chandeliers, sconces, and artisan lamps. Make a dull dark room beautiful and inviting. Additionally, smart lighting gives extra security for families with older adults or children. Installing the right lighting can truly transform a room.  

Sustainability & Durability 

Many homeowners value sustainability and quality. This year homeowners will choose long-lasting easy-to-maintain options like solid surface countertops and sustainable materials. Manufacturers like Corian, Avonite, and Formica provide durability and style, perfect for every home. Solid surface is also heat-resistant and easy to clean, meaning that they will last for years to come.  

Accessible Storage Options 

Your kitchen looks less cluttered with smart innovative storage options. From kitchen islands with hidden compartments to a variety of custom cabinet options, you have many choices to reduce the mess. Don’t forget about installing cabinets that work best with your family members.  

Oven Power 

Update your antiquated oven with a new high-end appliance. Choose an oven with a spacious interior oven cavity space.  Newer ovens use smart technology to help ease cooking, ensuring an even bake throughout the oven. Don’t feel like you can’t splurge on your oven. You will love the difference a new oven brings.  

Easy Maintenance Matters 

You want a kitchen you can clean easily. Choose options like solid surface countertops and modern tiling to reduce maintenance. Replace old outdated appliances with newer ones. Choose materials like solid surface that is not only easy to clean but remains a sterile place to prepare food.  

Find the Right Countertop Today 

When you start your kitchen remodel, contact the countertop experts at Solid Surface. For years we have provided the best materials and workmanship. Enjoy an easy installation. Check out our impressive collection of solid surface options. When you need to upgrade, Solid Surface can help you each step of the way. Contact us today. 

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May 19, 2019 By

What Solid Surface Means For High End Retail

what solid surface means for high end retailIf you’ve ever been to Paris, chances are you’ve strolled through the Galleries Lafayette. You probably didn’t buy anything, but it was nice enough just to see how the other half lives. Galleries Lafayette has expanded into Shanghai, China, and with it, they have brought solid surface to create the high end retail look you all know and love.

Crisp aesthetic

High end retail is all about presentation. Clothes are sparser and hung on individual racks. It’s not about bulk buying as it is about buying signature pieces. There is an eye for every detail, and that includes the architecture within the building itself.

Solid surface is able to create whatever look you want. No matter what color or design, there is a sold surface for you. It’s lack of lines also makes it appealing. Who wants to see where two pieces were fused when you can just see a seamless countertop instead?

Wall to wall to wall

Inside the Galleries Lafayette in Shanghai, solid surface can be found in so many areas. The giant columns that anchor the store are all made from solid surface in an elegant glacier white color. The retail countertops allow you to complete your purchase with that same regal look as when you walked through the door. Even the elevator cladding uses solid surface for that seamless, high end look.

Time to rest

Every inch of the Galleries Lafayette was constructed with detail which makes it no surprise that the washrooms were, too. Inside all the washrooms and the nursing room, solid surface is used for an elegant look. The seamless countertops ensure that you never forget that you are indeed inside a high end place.

A window to the heavens

If you aren’t completely bombarded by the beauty inside the Galleries Lafayette, take a moment to look up. Atop the main arcade is a showstopper skylight. This window to the heavens is made possible because of the Corian solid surface cladding. Together with fluid LED light bands, you can look out on the night sky and feel truly humbled.

Into the future

What is really impressive with the Galleried Lafayette in Shanghai is that Corian solid surface is most definitely a path to the future. Instead of trying to use existing materials to fit a project, solid surface allows architects to create their own design. There’s no more playing around and altering plans. Instead, whatever look you want, you can get.

This may seem a bit daunting if you plan on using Corian solid surface in your own home. But the point is that its versatility means that no matter where it is used, solid surface will make a giant impact.

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January 18, 2019 By

4 Objects To Remove From Your Kitchen Counter

4 objects to remove from your kitchen counterYou’ve just spent time and money to renovate your kitchen, including the addition of a new countertop. Now is not the time to hide your investment. The kitchen counter too often becomes the dumping ground, both for small appliances and miscellaneous items. It’s a flat surface which makes it easy to store papers, kid’s projects, and all manner of debris. But why spend money on a new kitchen counter if you can’t actually see it and enjoy it?

The Toaster

Toasters can be used every day, but only for a matter of minutes. It’s time to put the kitchen toaster away. Place it in a cupboard directly under the part of the countertop that it normally sits on. If you move it further away, then it won’t be put away after being used.

It’s also a good idea to place the toaster on a tray. This way any crumbs are caught, and you won’t have to deal with the mess. If you’re not completely convinced, just try the move for a week. Hopefully you’ll realize that it’s not an appliance that needs a permanent home on the kitchen countertop. And, hey, as more people go gluten-free, the toaster might just become a bit of an obsolete appliance, anyways.

Kitchen Utensils

Chances are, you have a bin (or two) or kitchen utensils taking up space on the countertop. This includes spatulas, ladles, and flippers. Do they really need to be on the kitchen counter? It’s just as convenient to open a drawer and choose one while cooking. Find a drawer near the stove for easy use. Then, transfer the utensils into a basket or two, separating based on shape.

Knives

If you’re an avid chef, then there will be an assortment of knives in your kitchen. They might not have a home, and instead live on the cutting board, just waiting to be used. You could find a chopping block to place them in, but this just leads to more clutter. Instead, place a magnetic knife strip on the wall. This is a safe, efficient way of storing your knives.

Paper

No matter how hard you try, it seems like there is always a pile of paper on the kitchen counter. Bills to be paid, coupons to be used, forms to be filled out. You may think that at least all of the papers are in one place, so they can’t get lost. But look inside a junk drawer and there is probably even more paper to be found.

The solution is easy, but hard to follow. Create an organizing area. Have slots or baskets that you can place each item of paper in. And, be sure to go through everything regularly. There’s not point in keeping a basket of coupons that all expired last year. Having a clean countertop is worth the effort of decluttering.

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November 18, 2018 By

4 Reasons It’s Always A Good Idea To Invest In A Kitchen

4 reasons its always a good idea to invest in a kitchenNot many people have the wherewithal to invest in a complete home renovation. It therefore ends up being the budget that determines just what part of the house gets updated. If you’re not sure if investing in a kitchen is a good idea, here are four reasons why it’s always a good idea to invest in a kitchen.

Selling Value

An updated, modern kitchen will go a long way in selling value, if you choose to move. But don’t wait until you decide to move to invest in a kitchen. After all, you’ll want to enjoy the hard work that you’ve put into it. Even kitchens that are five years old still have a large selling value. When remodelling, try to choose a more neutral, classic choice. This way anyone who looks at your house can envision themselves in it. If you need to add your personality to your kitchen remodel, choose bright walls. Putting on a new coat of paint is easy if you plan on selling in the future.

Energy Savings

There are a lot of appliances in a kitchen, and that means ample opportunity for sky-high utility bills. Investing in new appliances means that you will save when it comes to electrical and even gas bills. Look for Energy Star appliances that have been manufactured to smartly use electricity. Also look for different settings. A dishwasher, for example, that can run quick or half loads means that you won’t have to use as much water to get a small number of dishes clean. Many local utility companies will also offer rebate programs, so check out their websites to see if you can save even more money.

Wear and Tear

The kitchen is the most-used room in a house and can quickly take a bit of a beating. While bedrooms and even the living room usually just need a fresh coat of pain, the kitchen will need a complete overhaul in its lifetime. Knicks in the countertop, broken cabinet hinges, dings in the tile: all are common in a kitchen. It’s definitely not practical to remodel your kitchen every two or three years but start planning on when it makes the most sense. If you have small children, wait until they are in school. This way they’ll not only be out of the house more when the repairs are happening, but they will hopefully be out of the complete mess stage of toddlerhood.

Positive Energy

The final reason why investing in a kitchen is always a good idea is really quite simple. You use your kitchen a lot and want to enjoy it. A kitchen should inspire you and make you want to bring people together. If it doesn’t, start envisioning a new kitchen’s potential so that you can add a bit of joy to the home.

 

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October 18, 2018 By

5 Reasons a Shower Surround is the Way to Go

5 reasons a shower surround is the way to goRemodelling a bathroom is a fun, creative experience, but often the number of choices becomes overwhelming. The focal point is often the shower, as this can be a very large piece in the bathroom. How you design your shower is an important part of the creative puzzle. One design element that is picking up steam is the shower surround. Easy to install, customizable, and pleasant to look at, shower surrounds are the way to go.

Less expensive

Shower surrounds are less expensive than tiling a shower. Most people have a finite budget when it comes to a bathroom remodel, so price is a very important issue. Shower surrounds can help keep your budget in check. Not only will they fit most people’s budget, but because they still look nice, you can use the money that you saved on other elements of the bathroom.

Versatility

No matter the size of your shower, there is a shower surround that will fit the space. There are pre-fab surrounds and there are also custom-made surrounds. So if you have a unique space then no worries as there will be a way for a customized shower surround to fit.

Easy to clean

Shower surrounds are usually just one or two pieces and even these pieces will be expertly sealed together. So, cleaning becomes a lot easier. You can simply spray and wipe down the interior of the shower. Tiles are easy to clean, but the grout in between them is a lot harder. Grout can quickly become discolored and often needs to be cleaned with a special brush.

The silicone seal between tile and a bathtub is also the perfect place for mold to grow. This seal needs to be expertly cleaned. If not, it often needs to be dug up and replaced to keep it looking fresh.

Modern designs

Shower surrounds come in many different varieties, so no matter what your design plans are, there is an option for you. There are flat designs but there are also designs with built-in shelves. Some even have benches built in. Shower surrounds have kept up with modern designs and no longer look out of place in new bathrooms.

No leaks

Leaks in any bathroom are always a concern, no matter the type of material that is used. When you have a shower surround expertly installed, you can be assured that there will be no leaks. Instead the plumber will make sure that the pipes behind the wall are tightly sealed. Only after this is determined will the shower surround be installed.

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March 26, 2017 By

Project Report: Tim Hortons

Tim Hortons Store LG-HIMACS (340 Front Street West)9We’ve just finished a major renovation project, and we’re excited to share the results with you!

Would a morning be complete without a trip to Tim Hortons?  Coffee and doughnuts are the perfect way to start the day, and we know we’re not alone in that – everyone needs their double doubles in the morning, right?

Recently, some older Tim Horton stores have begun to be upgraded.  As part of the renovations, they’re being renovated to look more like a coffee house; a more upscale, modern look.  That’s great, and a boost for business – but it’s difficult to serve customers when your building is being renovated!

Tim Hortons Store LG-HIMACS (340 Front Street West)10This was a problem for the Tim Hortons on Front Street in downtown Toronto.  A closed store means a huge loss of daily revenue, especially for a store in a prime location just outside the Rogers Centre.  They wanted to have their renovations done well, but quickly, so they could open as soon as possible.  That’s where we come in.

They wanted the entire renovation done in two weeks, and we were more than happy to undertake that project.

We removed some displays and old storefront pieces, and replaced them with new cabinets and countertops, made with fine Maple Meadow LG Hi-Macs solid surface.  To speed up the process, we kept the exsiccating countertop in place.  We took an exact template from the exsiccating counter, and created a new countertop as a cap, using LG Hi-Macs solid surface for the main surface and stainless steel for the hot grilling areas.

All of the sinks, pipes and holes all ended up in the same locations, making conversions a snap.  And, just as promised, the store was open for business after just 14 days, in time to make sure the Entertainment District got its helping of Timbits, donuts and muffins.  We’re proud of the work we’ve done, and we think it looks fantastic!

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