Most surfaces can be marred, sometimes permanently, by such things as grease spots, blueberries, graffiti, makeup or lipstick, hair dye, shoe polish, or permanent marking pens. On solid surface, all of these blights can be removed with water or an abrasive cleaner.

Solid surface will not support the growth of bacteria, which makes solid surface invaluable in healthcare settings like hospitals, doctors offices, gyms, hospices, and retirement homes. Not to mention kitchens and bathrooms.

The majority of solid surface brands carry NSF/ANSI Standard 51 Certified certification which means the material is safe for food contact for all types of food. That’s why it’s great for kitchen countertops.

The majority of solid surface brands carry this certification, which means it does not outgas any of the roughly 300 substances that Greenguard deems harmful, and does not degrade the quality of indoor air.

Using these select types of solid surface that qualify for recycled content shows that conserving natural resources is important to you and your projects.

Light sanding will remove scratches, small chips, and scorches from cigarettes or extremely hot pots. Gouges and cracks may need the attention of a professional solid surface repairman.

Large surfaces require seams regardless of the material used. With solid surface, the seams are either invisible or remarkably hard to detect. This is not only good for aesthetics, but it also eliminates a place for crumbs, dirt, stains, and bacterial and other pathogens to get into. Shop for abrasives and adhesives.

If you think about that for a minute, it’s really remarkable and unburdening. You don’t need to reseal the surface every six months and you don’t need to worry that if you don’t, the grease will leak through and permanently stain the surface.

No-finish coat means no need for applying a finish, sanding, and applying another coat or having paint booths or drying rooms and all the assorted equipment.

No repainting means that when the surface becomes dingy or aged it can easily be fixed with a cleaner and some wiping or scrubbing instead of repainting or resurfacing.

Solid surface is available in a vast array of colors and patterns, for example:

•    Infinite solid colors

•    Small multicolored particulates like grains of sand embedded in the sheets

•    Larger particulates such as found in granite

•    Randomly veined with particulates variegated, swirled, and veined patterns with particles that do not repeat

These patterns are often inspired by nature, but then sometimes do not at all resemble nature and are whimsical. Some have swirls of metal shavings or strands of other materials. You can also have custom colors made to fit your designs by sending a sample to be matched.

Solid surface is not stone-cold, like concrete, quartz, and granite. It is smooth and “warm” and provides a forgiving hardness; when a glass is tipped over, it may not break. However, when dropped from a distance, glass will likely break.

Solid surface is not impacted by chemicals like ammonia, mild acids, and trisodium phosphates. However, nail polish remover, strong acids, and concentrated bleach will produce a hazing effect. Hazing can be removed with the use of a wet Scotch-Brite pad.

Solid surface is not stone-cold, like concrete, quartz, and granite. It is smooth and “warm” and provides a forgiving hardness; when a glass is tipped over, it may not break. However, when dropped from a distance, glass will likely break.