Solid surface countertops might be the perfect choice for your next kitchen or bath remodel. Let’s look at some of its health-promoting properties.
Solid surface has been around for more than 50 years. It is being used more and more in healthcare, restaurant, and hospitality settings because of its hygienic properties. With the rise of the pandemic and other health concerns, cleanliness and good hygiene are on everyone’s minds. To ease these concerns, solid surface might just be the perfect choice for your next kitchen or bath remodel. Let’s take a look at some of the benefits of solid surface countertops.
What is solid surface? It is a manmade material generally composed of alumina trihydrate that is mixed with acrylic or polyester resin binders and pigments. (Meaning you can create almost any look imaginable.) It is then heated and poured, into continuous sheets and those sheets can be shaped, very much like wood, into usable surfaces such as countertops, tables, benches, furniture, commercial food prep areas, desktops, window sills, bar tops and even flooring. Solid surface can even be heated and thermoformed into curved and molded shapes.
Truly, you can make solid surface look almost any way you want it, and make it into almost any shape you need. In addition, it has a number of health-benefiting properties.
Safe and Durable
Thanks to its properties and fabrication techniques, solid surface is highly suitable for environments that can be exposed to illness causing agents and bacteria. It is also strong and sturdy enough to stand up to heavy use.
Hygienic
Solid surface is non-porous and prevents microbial growth and does not support the growth of bacteria, mold, or other fungus.
Seamless
A smooth surface eliminates cracks and crevices. Solid surface is seamless, which means it can be joined with no gaps. This makes it perfect for applications like surgical room walls, showers, wet walls, coved backsplashes, and integrated sinks.
Greenguard™ Certification
Many solid surface brands have earned this certification, meaning that it is low chemical emitting. Greenguard Certification means that a product has been tested for hundreds of VOCs and will not affect your indoor air quality.
NSF/ANSI 51 Certified
Most solid surface brands also carry the NSF/ANSI 51 certification that means it has been tested and is safe for food contact.
It is easy to see why solid surface continues to grow in popularity and is a great fit for residential kitchen and bath applications, as well as restaurants and commercial kitchens, and the healthcare industry. With growing fears regarding cleanliness, solid surface countertops can help to provide peace of mind, while also allowing for almost limitless design possibilities.
The International Surface Fabricators Association (ISFA) has been working hard to make everyone aware of the safe, clean, and hygienic properties of solid surface. Please read this article outlining the extensive reasons this material is a strong fit for those wanting to help ensure safe, quality materials are used in healthcare applications, commercial kitchens, the hospitality industry, and residential kitchen and bath applications.
