When you’re in the market for new counter tops, you have a lot of options before you. Today we’ll take an in depth look at synthetic, man made, counter tops. We’ll discuss the qualities, design, and cost of engineered stone to make selecting your counter top material a bit easier.
Synthetic counter tops, also called Solid Surface, are a mix of about ⅓ resin and ⅔ natural materials. It was designed as a step up from laminate counters that chip and are layered. Solid Surface counters are homogeneous, the same all the way through. The homogeneous counter tops are nonporous and repel bacteria, resist stains, and make repairs simple. The solid surface counters do scratch or nick easily, so be sure to use cutting boards on top of the surface when cooking. They can also be damaged by extreme heat, so keep your recently used pots and pans off of the counter tops too. These counter tops are usually advertised as heat and scratch resistant, but resistant does not mean impossible to damage. If this makes you uncertain, fear not. If you or another household member damages the beautiful counters, all you have to do is sand it out. Remember, these counters are homogeneous, so you don’t have to worry about any inconsistencies in design after repair. Even if you cause heat damage to the counter, professionals are usually able to resolve the damage there too.
These desirable features are unique to the man made counter tops. Natural stone, while beautiful, is far more fragile and porous. It absorbs stains and cracks and breaks quite easily. Engineered stone, as mentioned before is usually more than ninety percent natural stone the remaining ten percent being a binding agent called resin. The stone sand is made into a mixture, stirred, and spread into a mold. It is then compressed, solidified, and polished. The edges are cut, inspected, and sent as slabs to various companies. These slabs of stone and resin will be measured, cut, and shaped for your home.
The human engineering of these counter tops allows for creative colors and details to be incorporated into the counter tops. This gives the buyer numerable beautiful and unique options for their counters, and not just beautiful but wonderfully functional and convenient as well. The hand made counters are non porous, homogeneous, and can accurately mimic the appearance of natural stone or quartz. The fabrication of synthetic counters such as engineered stone and quartz has begun to be appreciated as an art form. The hard work and hand crafted details some companies employ are beautiful and functional.
Solid surface counters come in a wide variety of colors and patterns. The finish and color vibrancy depends on whether your countertops are acrylic or polyester based. An acrylic based counter is more expensive and quickly being preferred over polyester. It has a flat, matte finish with nearly invisible seams. It is less susceptible to fading from UV rays as well. The polyester based counters are less expensive and offer a variety of colors with a high gloss finish. The overarching style of solid surface countertops is to have the look of natural stone, a stronger surface, and homogenous design for easy repairs and consistency.
Of all your counter top materials, synthetic is the perfect balance between cheap, low quality laminate and fragile, expensive natural stone. Solid Surface counters cost anywhere between fifty-two and one hundred and twenty dollars per square foot. The cost will depend on material, edge style, patterns, and manufacturer. Appealing, accommodating, and affordable,synthetic counter tops are a solid choice for any homeowner. They are quality, colorful, clean, durable, and easily repairable. The beauty of natural stone with the added features of durability, a natural and creative design, not to mention its affordability make these counter tops nearly irresistible.