You’ve decided it is time for new countertops. Your list ranges from the kitchen to bathrooms, even to the laundry room - depending on material and price, of course. The good news is you’ve already done some shopping and solid surface countertops is what you really want. However, we want to make sure you know some key details about solid surface before you buy.
To start, solid surface countertops are engineered or man-made counter surfaces. Although solid surfaces been available for nearly 50-years, they are now quickly becoming the new trend in kitchens and bathrooms.
Materials like quartz, marble, or granite are notsolid surface countertops because they are composed mostly from natural mineral properties. While natural stone materials are beautiful, they are porous and prone to cracking. With a solid surface material, you get the natural stone appearance without the risk of breakage. Not to mention that solid surface countertops are stain resistant too. Keeping the surface both sanitary and beautiful requires little maintenance. In fact, solid surface is one of only a few materials that a homeowner can resurface with just an orbital sander.
When it comes to affordability, many homeowners gravitate to solid surface counters because they are reasonably priced. Laminate is a thing of the past and quartz or granite aren’t always within an anticipated design or budget. And again, it may not be real stone, but it does resemble its sought-after design.
Unlike natural stone, solid surface can be made seamlessly - meaning the material can be cut, carved, casted and formed, without any visible seams. Something else homeowners love is the vast assortment of colors and patterns available,allowing homeowners to choose what they feel best matches the rest of their décor.
There are many good features to solid surface countertops, but there are also a few drawbacks. For example, solid surface does not respond well to heat and could begin to deform at temperatures not much higher than that of boiling water. Therefore, placing hot pots/pans directly on the surface is not ideal. Also, solid surface is a softer material than marble, quartz, and granite, so cutting boards are encouraged to eliminate the risk of marring and / or scratching.
Now are you ready for those new countertops? Come see us at Fischer Lumber in E. Alton. We have (on display in our showroom) a wide range of countertops including various solid surfaces. We have professional designers on-site to assist you throughout the selection process. Choosing new countertops is a big project, but we’re prepared to help you. Visit us at 210 N. Shamrock or call us at 618.259.7434. The Fischer Lumber team is looking forward to working with you!