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Solid Surface for Beauty and Versatility

Introduction
In years past, tile, Formica® , fiberglass, marble, granite, porcelain, cultured marble and numerous other surface materials were a builder's choice for countertops, sinks, shower stalls and many other working and or wet areas of the kitchen and bath. More recently, a completely different type of material has been gaining in popularity and moving into the homes and buildings in your neighborhood. So, what is this "new" product surface called "Solid Surface?" What makes it so unique? And…why are so many designers, architects and homeowners choosing it over traditional surfaces and products? This article will provide you with some background information about Solid Surface material, its versatility and application. It will also make some comparisons to many of the traditional surface materials, examining why there is an ever growing use of Solid Surface in homes and in high traffic areas such as hotels, hospitals, restaurants, theme parks and many other types of public facilities.

History of Solid Surface
Solid Surface was conceived in 1963 by a group of engineers and researchers from the DuPont™ Chemical Company. The recognized father of Solid Surface is Don Slocum whose idea was to create a material that would be totally solid all the way through, with a consistency of color, pattern and void of air bubbles. The surface had to be non-porous as well as stain, chemical and fire resistant. Fabrication of the material into a usable working surface had to be accomplished with standard woodworking tools. He also wanted a surface hard enough to function as a work surface but at the same time easily repairable. Finally, it should have a rich and pleasing 'look' to it.

Along with Don’s idea and a lot of hard work, DuPont™ produced its first sheets or Solid Surface in 1964. They called it Corian® . The company’s first installation of Corian® counter tops was completed in 1965 with the original patent for Solid Surface issued October 8, 1968.

Growth of the Solid Surface Industry
"Solid Surface" has become the generic term for a group of materials that for many years was primarily used for making countertops. However, because of the unique qualities of Solid Surface, it is now being fabricated into shower pans, shower and tub walls, floor tiles, tabletops, cutting boards, cabinet pulls and knobs, cutlery handles and many other products including artistic sculptures. The versatility of Solid Surface material makes it ideal for both custom designing as well as solving "problem" situations.

Currently, there are approximately eight to ten major corporations and 30 or more minor companies producing thousands of different types of Solid Surface materials. In much the same way that Kleenex is used to describe tissue, the name Corian® has been used to describe Solid Surface materials. However, due to the phenomenal growth of this industry over the last few years, this is changing rapidly. The companies are achieving their own identity through strong marketing campaigns and product sales. A few examples of the product names in the Solid Surface industry are Avonite® , Corian® , Fountain Head® , Gibraltar® , SSV®, Surell®, and Swanstone® . The list goes on and on with each product surface having a wide variety of colors, textures and finishes.


Each of the Solid Surface manufacturers use a different combination of chemicals to produce their products. However, the recipe for most Solid Surface materials relies on two main ingredients, natural mineral filler and a resin binder. Various additives are mixed in to give the finished product certain desirable characteristics that are unique to the manufacturer. The mixture is cast in a mold and cured in a process that results in a sheet of Solid Surface. The sheets are then sized so that the finished material is easy to transport to the fabricators and installers.

Why build with Solid Surface?
There are many materials that can be used to construct a working surface for a kitchen or bathroom. From either a construction standpoint or the consumer’s standpoint, each has its desirable qualities and some undesirable qualities. Solid Surface was developed as an answer to most of the undesirable qualities of these traditional materials.

Solid Surface emulates the best attributes of high-end traditional products. It also possesses the desirable attributes of expensive materials like marble and granite. It is very strong and durable. In contrast, it is far easier to care for and repair than marble or other stone surfaces. Best of all, Solid Surface is seamless. There are no grout lines, no edge seams and no cracks to catch dirt.

Solid Surface has all the advantages of Formica® and tile. It is easy to clean, has a bright finish, and is stain resistant. It comes in a wider range of colors and textures that allow the average consumer the opportunity to have an out-of-the-ordinary kitchen, bath or bar.

Lastly, Solid Surface products can minimize the usual costly repairs. Most countertops when damaged and repaired, look repaired! Solid Surfaces can be patched, sanded and repaired in a variety of ways that quite literally make the "fix" disappear.


The average customer will spend anywhere from two thousand to ten thousand dollars for an installation in their home. This sounds like a lot of money to spend on counters until you consider the alternatives. Stone surface is costly. Formica®, though inexpensive, has limited applications. Tile is uneven and often difficult to clean. All these surfaces can also be costly to repair and are much more difficult to keep looking new in the years ahead. This makes the seamless Solid Surface product a fantastic alternative. In short…It’s a great value!

If it’s so great…why do I need to care for it?
For all its strong points, Solid Surface has a few shortcomings. Like traditional materials, it is somewhat accepting of minor scratching and dulling. Most Solid Surface products have a deep rich glow. If desired, it can be buffed to a high shine. However, a high gloss shine shows scratches and is usually not recommended for high traffic areas such as a kitchen. The answer is to provide the customer with a "low luster shine," or matte finish, that is more forgiving. This is the level of finish recommended by the industry. Once fabricated, the surface is sanded to a medium shine and then buffed to a deep, rich, natural, low luster glow. Caring for your Solid Surface will help maintain that dry, clean natural look. If for some reason your surface does become damaged, keep in mind that repairs can be made with relative ease by a skilled craftsperson. In many cases, damage that you might consider as unrepairable, can in fact be repaired to a "like new" appearance.

So how should I care for my Solid Surface?
Clean the surface regularly in much the same way that you would maintain any counter or working surface in your home. When your installation is completed, ask the installer for suggestions about caring for the surface. Be sure to read all the product information and instructions provided with your Solid Surface. Each manufacturer generally provides a care and maintenance guide with suggestions about your particular surface. By following their advice and instructions you will be sure to receive the maximum performance and benefits your Solid Surface has to offer.


What product should I use to keep my Solid Surface looking new?
Protect All, Inc. has been working with Solid Surface fabricators, installers and suppliers for many years, They have discovered the truly unique qualities of Protect All Shine Plus™. Some of their comments are as follows:

Wayne Rutledge, Commercial Development, Avonite®, Inc.: "We find Protect All Shine Plus™ to be an effective new product for general care and maintenance of our solid surface materials. It is, in our opinion, the best product of its kind available today. That is why we are including it in our care and maintenance kit."

Jim Brose, Corian® Training and Development: "I feel that Protect All Shine Plus™ surpassed our expectations for cleaning and maintaining the Corian® surface. Protect All Shine Plus™ is the one product that gives the surface a beautiful, natural shine -- a definite winner! ...I feel there’s no equal to the Protect All Shine Plus™ finish on a solid surface like Corian®!"

Steve Adams, Foothill Pacific Design -- Solid Surface Specialist: "Most countertop products leave a moist film. Protect All Shine Plus™ is the one product that leaves a nice, clean, dry professional finish to the job."

Kaylee Green, Lane Marble Interiors, Marble and Corian® Solid Surface Fabrication and Installation: "Easy to apply, keeps Corian® and marble surfaces much easier to clean for weeks. It gives the surface a satin feeling. Protect All Shine Plus™ is so economical and goes a long way. I use it on 100 or more surfaces around the home and in the garage."

James Holochuck, J & J Custom Design, Inc., Customer Residential & Commercial Fabrication Design and Installation: "Protect All Shine Plus™ is the best product I’ve ever used on Gibraltar® and Avonite® solid surfaces. Incredible! I use it all over the home. I can highly recommend it."


Protect All Shine Plus™ will take your Solid Surface one step past "clean." It is formulated to quickly and easily maintain the original beautiful deep rich natural glow of the surface. As a very effective non-abrasive cleaner and polish, Protect All Shine Plus™ creates a slick, protective finish that aids in preventing scratching on all types of Solid Surface materials. Protect All Shine Plus™ can also be used regularly as a primary clean up product without the common oily residue or build-up problem of other products. The surface will be dry, clean, anti-static, water and stain repellent.

 

 

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