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Deciding on the perfect countertop for your kitchen can be an arduous task, especially with so many options to choose. For example, you may be choosing from materials like laminate, natural stone, wood, and even metal. Add in the large investment that comes with it, and selecting the right countertop becomes even more stressful. 

Enter: Solid Surface Countertops. 

If you’ve been researching kitchen cabinets for your new home or kitchen renovation, you’ve most likely come across “solid surface” countertops. 

That’s why we’re here to help!

At Deslaurier Custom Cabinets, we have over 40 years of experience providing custom cabinets and kitchen design services to our customers. While doing so, we partner with a number of Ottawa’s most reputable countertop suppliers, like Urban Quarry, to help our clients customize the kitchen surfaces of their dreams.

With that, this article will break down everything you need to know about solid surface countertops in order to help you decide if they are the right choice for your dream kitchen. 

Let’s get started!

What are Solid Surface Countertops?

Solid surface countertops are a man-made surface manufactured using mineral particles, bonding resins, and added pigments. 

Solid surface countertops are considered “homogenous.” That means that unlike other popular man-made kitchen surfaces – such as laminate – that have multiple layers of materials fused together, solid surface countertops are the same consistent material throughout.

Solid surface countertops use resins made of either acrylic, polyester, or a combination of both. 

Both resins will provide unique qualities that differ from one another. So, a solid surface countertop made using only acrylic resins will look and perform differently than one manufactured with polyester resins. 

These differences present themselves in terms of appearance, their overall performance, and the cost of the countertop, all of which we will break down below! 

Solid Surface Countertop Appearance

If you’re looking for a material with an almost limitless array of selections, solid surface countertops won’t disappoint. 

Solid surface countertops are prized for their flexible and customizable appearance. They arearguably the most modifiable when it comes to style and design options, right up there with laminate, and are certainly the most versatile of “solid” countertop materials. 

Colours, Patterns, and Styles

Solid surface countertops have the ability to come in a variety of solid colours; replicate stone surfaces like marble, quartz, granite, and slate; and can even mimic wood tones.

All of which will be dependent on the manufacturer. Some prominent solid surface countertop suppliers will have hundreds of different colours, patterns, and designs in their selection!

It should be noted that solid surfaces aren’t the most accurate imitation of stone countertops. The appearance isn’t as convincing as laminate’s iteration, and the texture is not quite as compelling as something like a Dekton surface. 

So, while the texture and appearance won’t be a one-for-one replacement of authentic stone countertops, for relatively half the price, it is a quality alternative. 

Acrylic vs. Polyester Resins

As we mentioned earlier, whether the surface is made using acrylic or polyester bonding resins will have an impact on the countertop’s appearance. 

Acrylic resins tend to lend themselves to a more matte finish. Solid surfaces made using polyester resins will offer a slightly more glossy appearance, which translates well for more vibrant, colourful countertop selections. 

While it is possible to buff a polyester surface for an even glossier finish, it is not often recommended because it will increase the visibility of any potential scratches. 

They Can Offer A Seamless Appearance

Reducing seams in larger countertops is one of the most sought-after attributes for potential consumers. 

For stone surfaces like engineered quartz, granite, and marble, there is no getting around seams. While modern fabrication can help negate seams as the eye-sore they once were, seams will always be slightly visible with stone surfaces. 

This leads us to one of the most compelling characteristics of solid surface countertops: they can have a seamless appearance. When properly installed, the seams will be virtually undetectable to the naked eye, giving the appearance of a continuous countertop. 

Solid Surface Countertop Durability 

When it comes to durability, solid surface countertops are somewhat of a mixed bag. There is plenty to like about them, but also a few characteristics that should be cause for concern depending on what your household activity is like. 

They’re Nonporous

For starters, thanks to their manufacturing process, solid surface countertops are entirely nonporous! 

Unlike natural stones like marble or granite – which are porous and need to be routinely resealed – the bonding resin in solid surface countertops seals the surface, effectively rendering it waterproof. 

An important quality for a countertop that is located in spaces that are near water or vulnerable to spills, like around a kitchen sink or for bathroom surfaces. 

Heat-Resistance

While they are manufactured to withstand boiling water – 212 degrees Fahrenheit – a hot pot or pan can reach or exceed that temperature and, if in contact with the countertop, will stain, scorch, or damage the surface. 

For reference, solid surface countertops can withstand slightly more heat than engineered quartz countertops, which can manage only around 175-185 degrees Fahrenheit. Stone surfaces like granite, on the other hand, are capable of withstanding 1200 (!!) degrees Fahrenheit; well above the temperature range solid surface countertops can handle. 

For the most part, it’s much safer to use effective heat protection and avoid putting a hot pot or pan directly on the countertop. 

Scratch-Resistance

In terms of their strength and impact durability, solid surface countertops are similar to a soft stone, like marble. Acrylic-based and combination will be stronger and more durable than polyester, thanks in large part to the tighter bond and more compact material it creates. 

Having said that, all solid surface countertops can be susceptible to scratches and other impact damage. Scratches, in particular, can cause two separate problems for solid surface countertops:

1. They will appear almost white, which can be extremely noticeable for darker or colourful surfaces.
2. A deep cut will result in the surface no longer being nonporous. Water will be able to enter the entire countertop, and as it does with anything else, it will spread like wildfire. 

For those reasons, always use a cutting board or protective surface when preparing meals, as those can go a long way in ensuring your solid surface remains pristine. 

Solid Surface Countertop Cost 

The cost of solid surface countertops is one of their most appealing qualities. 

Considering their design flexibility and quality, solid surface countertops are one of the more cost-effective options on the kitchen countertop pricing scale. 

Solid surface countertops have a price range of about $50 - $120 per sq. ft., placing them somewhere in between budget-friendly laminate products and more expensive countertops like quartz or granite. 

That price range still offers plenty of fluctuation from one solid surface countertop to the next. Factors that will influence the cost include: 

• The manufacturer or supplier of the countertop
• The type of resin used: acrylic will be slightly more expensive than polyester 
• The colour: the more rich and dark the colour is the more pigment that will be required

Ultimately, shopping for solid surface kitchen countertops is the same as shopping for any other. Visiting local showrooms and solid surface suppliers will aid you in finding the best countertop for you by comparing the selections and price ranges of different countertop suppliers. 

If you’re in the Ottawa area and looking for the perfect solid surface countertop, check out our Learning Centre for our article on the Top Kitchen Countertop Suppliers in Ottawa! 

Home Installation 

While it is certainly not recommended for everyone, solid surface countertops are actually one of the more DIY-compatible countertop materials. Some experienced and skilled DIYers can actually install solid surface countertops themselves!

Unlike stone, the solid surface material can be cut using standard power saws and routers, and the seaming kits are fairly straightforward. However, it should be noted that laminate and wood are still far easier to work with for a DIY-friendly kitchen countertop solution.

The most difficult part of the DIY process is buying the material. It is beginning to be slightly more common to be able to find solid surface slabs you can purchase yourself, but it is far from being a common practice. 

Of course, installing your own kitchen counters is not suggested to the average homeowner. Leaving the installation in the hands of professionals is the safe and recommended method for your kitchen countertops. 

Design with Deslaurier Custom Cabinets 

If you’re looking to pair custom cabinetry with the perfect kitchen countertop surfaces, Deslaurier Custom Cabinets has everything you need. 

We bring 60+ years of experience to the table and partner with a vast network of premier countertop suppliers. The result? We consistently leave a long trail of customized, high-performance kitchens in our path.

We provide our clients with a fully customized design process with our talented team of designers. Book a free consultation with a Deslaurier kitchen expert at our Ottawa showroom!

Interested in becoming an authorized Deslaurier dealer? Visit our Become a Dealer page to learn more! Live outside the area? Find a Dealer to connect with a Deslaurier dealer near you!