What to Know About Solid Surface Countertops (Pros & Cons)

Researching countertop materials? Over the years, I’ve installed just about every countertop material possible… wood or butcher block, quartz, marble, soapstone, granite, porcelain, laminate, and even solid surface. They all have their place. Sure, I regularly profess my love for natural stone, but sometimes affordable options are necessary- or simply the right material for the job. Today, we’re talking solid surface countertops… which has been around for decades- and admittedly, gets a bad rep. Let’s unpack it! Solid surface is ideal for homeowners on a budget who want an easy, quality, durable countertop with a stone-like look for less. Click through for what you need to know about solid surface countertops… the pros, cons, cost, maintenance, and everything in between.

Did you know we installed solid surface counters at the Tuesday Made office in the kitchenette makeover? Or maybe you noticed them in the camper reveal? Like I said, they definitely have a place. They’re an ideal midrange option for those who prefer something nicer than laminate, but don’t have the budget (or perhaps weight capacity) to support quartz or natural stone kitchen countertops. Read on to learn more…

What Is Solid Surface?

Solid surface is a synthetic (man made) countertop material, comprised of resins and minerals. It has a smooth and silky touch, can be buffed to a glossy or matte finish, and often mimics the appearance of natural stone. While solid surface materials do look more convincing than laminate, it’s not quite as realistic as quartz. It’s also available in solid colors, if movement or texture isn’t your end goal. Here are some samples I snagged, to give you a good visual example…

Unlike laminate, solid surface countertops are solid throughout… which is where the name comes from. Meaning, if you choose a speckled gray color (if you were to slice the countertop in half), you’d see gray speckles. To compare it to quartz… solid surface is made of 33% resin and 66% minerals. Quartz countertops are made of 10% resin and 90% minerals. Because of the resin content, it has a silky feel.

Pros & Cons

Before we dig into the pros & cons… you’re probably wondering what solid surface costs? It’s far better on the budget than natural stone or quartz. You can expect to pay anywhere from $35 – $100 a square foot. Whereas, quartz is around $80 – $200 a square foot.

Pros

Honestly, solid surface countertops make a lot of sense and there are plenty of perks to installing this material…

• Aesthetic… it looks similar to stone. Because technology has come a long way in the process of mixing minerals into resin, it’s a great budget-friendly alternative to natural stone- or its more expensive man made counterpart, quartz.
• Clean and durable. No surface is 100% non-porous, but solid surface is fairly close. Because of this, it keeps bacteria away, is super sanitary, and is easy to clean. It’s also stain resistant, impact resistant, and requires very little maintenance. Solid surface is nearly as durable as granite, marble, or quartz.
• Easy to repair. While solid surface can scratch, it’s a simple fix that any homeowner could tackle. Scratches easily buff out with fine grit sandpaper or a Scotch Brite pad. If you scorch it (or really mess it up), it can easily be repaired by a professional… which may give you peace of mind. You wouldn’t need to replace an entire slab.
• Affordable. Obviously the biggest perk to solid surface is the budget-friendly price tag.
• It’s solid throughout. Unlike laminate countertops, solid surface is homogeneous (a solid material)… meaning you can put an edge profile on it, it looks more realistic, and has a higher-end feel. This also gives it a seamless appearance.

Cons

There are some disadvantages to be aware of, if you’re going the solid surface route. The big one? It’s not heat resistant or chemical resistant… meaning your counter could become discolored or scorched if it comes in contact with either of those things. Here are my cons of solid surface countertops…

• It’s a soft material that scratches. You have to be extra careful with utensils, as solid surface can easily be scratched.
• Heat damage. While solid surface can resist boiling water or temperatures up to 320 degrees Fahrenheit (160 degrees Celsius), a super hot pot or pan shouldn’t be placed directly on the counter.
• It’s difficult to fabricate. This isn’t a DIY material like natural stone or wood counters. You’ll need an expert fabricator with specialized tools & equipment, which can add to your labor costs.
• Aesthetic… it’s not all created equal. Some solid surface options are not visually appealing… point blank. While it does mimic natural stone, it will never compare to the real thing. If you’re looking for a true marble look, that’s a tricky one to source.
• It’s not an investment material. Solid surface countertops don’t detract from the resale value of a house, but they don’t add extra value either.

Thanks to Emmett for giving us an up-close look at fabrication throughout the post, snapping fabrication photos from the shop at his work…

Maintenance & Fabrication

This is one of those surfaces that is more difficult to DIY because it requires specialized equipment and it can be a material you wouldn’t want to ingest while being fabricated. However, since it is a softer material, the fabrication process is relatively quick, which makes labor cost a bit less than natural stone. You can choose either a matte or gloss finish.

Maintenance for solid surface is a breeze! You’ll want to regularly wipe your countertops, avoid harsh or abrasive cleaners, and stay away from resting hot pans directly on the surface, as they don’t do well with high heat. Solid surface doesn’t require sealing, and any surface level scratches can easily be buffed out.

Top Brands & Designer Picks

These days, there are quite a few solid surface brands on the market. If you’re struggling to find the the right one for your project, they come in a wide range of colors… check out samples from some of the following:

• Corian
• Hi Macs
• Avonite Surfaces
• Formica
• Livingstone
• Meganite
• Staron
• Studio Collection
• Wilson Art

Pro tip… I stick to basic solid colors (black, white, gray, or neutrals) or I try to find options that are most realistic to achieve the look of stone.

Where & When to Install Solid Surface

As I previously mentioned, solid surfaces are perfect if you’re on a budget or have weight restrictions, as they’re a much lighter weight material than natural stone or quartz. That’s exactly why we ended up using solid surface in our camper! We used black on the kitchen counter, and we had our dinette table fabricated from white solid surface (pictured above and below). Here is quick brainstorming list of where and when you might use this material…

• In a kitchen
• In a bathroom
• In commercial spaces
• In a space that has weight restrictions (like a travel trailer or camper)
• As a desk or tabletop
• As a bench seat or window sill
• In a shower niche
• In a laundry room
• In a mudroom
• On a bar

FAQ

Related

Looking for more countertop, stone, or kitchen related content? I’m going to link some of my favorite posts for you below…

• The Difference Between Natural Stones
• How to Save Money and Shop Stone Remnants in a Slab Yard
• Honing Our Guest Bathroom Nero Marble Countertops
• How to Choose a Marble Slab for Your Renovation
• Marble Maintenance and the Trust About Natural Stone
• Why We Used Soapstone In Our Kitchen… Again
• Ideas for Customizing a Kitchen Island or Cart
• Everything You Need to Know About Soapstone
• How to Select Different Countertop Edge Profiles
• 15 Aesthetically Pleasing Kitchen Storage & Organization Ideas

Have you ever used solid surface? If you were in the market for a new countertop, would you consider this option? I hope this post was helpful! If you’re in the market for countertops, don’t discount this option. It’s an amazing, affordable material that can have a really beautiful look, when done correctly. Don’t write it off… it’s a good choice! I know I’m always reiterating my love for natural stone countertops, but I wouldn’t be doing my job if I didn’t share all of the options available! As always, let me know if you have any questions in the comment section below. That said, I may be slow to respond this week as we’re train hopping to ski the Dolomites on vacation in Italy. I’ll be back soon!

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