Countertops may seem pretty easy to buy, but there are a lot of things that you need to consider, when selecting the perfect countertops for your kitchen. Most homeowners focus on popular materials like granite and quartz countertops. If you’re interested in quartz counters, you should also know about solid surface countertops. Here is everything you need to know about solid surface countertops.
Solid Surface Countertops
Countertop materials are mostly naturally sourced and they can have random and abstract designs in different directions. Solid surface is a man-made material, which is similar in appearance to quartz countertops. However, the main difference here is that solid surface is a homogeneous material, through and through. The top of the surface is exactly the same as the bottom.
Solid surface is made out of resin and a combination of different materials, which are densely compacted in the form of a slab, which imparts great strength and durability to the countertop. There is a huge variety of color selections available in solid surface and there is something for everyone. If you want neutral and light colors, then solid surface has you covered. If you want your countertops to be darker and more majestic looking, then solid surface countertops have a ton of options for you to choose from.
What makes solid surface a winner in the kitchen is the fact that it has sufficient strength as many stones like granite, limestone, and quartz do, but it doesn’t put a dent in your wallet; these countertops are reasonably priced. Price is a huge deal breaker and maker for buyers, so the fact that you get a good deal for the money you’re paying gives you the satisfaction you need when you’re using these countertops in your kitchen. Let’s be real; no one wants to spend a huge amount of money on countertops, no matter how beautiful they are. At the end of the day, you want the quality to surpass everything else.
Considerations When Buying Solid Surface Countertops
Here are some things you need to keep in mind when buying solid surface countertops. These pointers will prevent you from making hasty decisions.
The Measurements Are Important
This is probably the most important thing to consider when buying any sort of countertop, let alone solid surface countertops. The measurements are extremely important to take, especially if it’s your first-time replacing countertops in your kitchen.
The last thing you want is to get countertops that are not the right size. If you are not confident in taking measurements by yourself, then you can call the retailer and have them take it for you.
The Right Color
Another very important thing to consider when buying solid surface countertops is the color. You want to choose something which will go with the rest of your kitchen especially your kitchen cabinets. It’s good to have a color scheme in mind when you are looking at different colored countertops.
It’s very easy to get swept away by the color catalog because everything will look great. This is why you need to have an idea of what color you want to go for, so you can filter out the available options and choose the best color for your kitchen.
The Edges Of The Countertops
This tip might be forgotten in the hustle of everything else, but the edges of countertops are also crucial to look over. The edges need to be durable enough so that they won’t crack by bumping into any article present in the kitchen. The edges should be durable enough to resist chipping and cracking.
So, when you’re deciding on the color and style of countertops, make sure that you are keeping the edges in mind as well. Usually, square-tipped edges and honed edges are two of the best options, which are strong and look beautiful as well, but you can choose another design if these don’t seem up your alley.
Cut-Out For The Sink
This is a huge issue for most countertops, especially solid surface countertops. The process of installing these countertops is in a way that involves having a separate cut-out for the sink. In this way, the cavity can easily be installed over the sink and there’s no need for you to remove the sink and have the countertops installed that way.
Most countertop retailers will ask about the cut-out for the sink, so you need to have those measurements as well or the retailer can take them for you. You can also hire granite countertop installers Rockville for taking the measurements and installing the countertop.
Do They Need Sealing?
Porous countertop materials are sealed, before or after installation. This is very common in granite and marble countertop installation, but the great thing about solid surface countertops is that the material is already non-porous in nature, so it doesn’t need sealing.
You will save yourself from the trouble of getting it sealed because engineered materials are densely packed and they don’t let water or moisture seep into the countertop. These countertops are also stain-resistant, because of this feature, which gives solid surface countertops extra points.
How Easy Are These Countertops To Clean?
When selecting any type of countertop material, you want to make sure that it isn’t a pain to clean and maintain. Natural stones like granite and marble are very beautiful and durable, but their cleaning can be a nightmare.
If you want a material that is super easy to clean and a breeze to maintain in the future, then you will be happy to know that solid surface ticks all of the boxes. You don’t need any special cleaners to clean these countertops and there isn’t any heavy-duty maintenance involved either, which makes this material seemingly perfect.
Do They Need Protection From Heat?
One major drawback of solid surface countertops is that it is not quite resistant to heat. You can’t put hot pots and pans on the surface of this material, otherwise, the surface will be stained with very ugly black marks which will be a challenge to remove. The surface of solid surface countertops can be blistered by heat and while it’s okay to handle warm things on these countertops, the same can’t be said for piping hot food items.
It’s better to use cutting boards and trivets to help protect the surface of the countertops from heat damage. This is the one thing that might be inconvenient for some people, so you need to choose a countertop material wisely.
How To Take Care Of Solid Surface Countertops?
As mentioned previously, these countertops are easy to clean and they’re pretty much no-fuss, but it’s still a good idea to get general cleaning instructions from the retailer when you’re buying these countertops.
The main gist of cleaning these countertops is that you need to wipe them every day, and that goes for almost all kinds of countertop materials. Once a year, you might need to polish it or have the surface varnished, but it is not mandatory.
Conclusion
These tips are going to help you a lot when you’re out buying countertops. Not only will the countertops fit perfectly in your kitchen, but they will dress up your entire space too. Get in touch with a quartz countertops dealer Potomac for find out more about choosing a man-made countertop material.
