Introduction
In years past, tile, Formica® , fiberglass, marble, granite, porcelain, cultured marble and numerous other surface materials were a builder's choice for countertops, sinks, shower stalls and many other working and or wet areas of the kitchen and bath. More recently, a completely different type of material has been gaining in popularity and moving into the homes and buildings in your neighborhood. So, what is this "new" product surface called "Solid Surface?" What makes it so unique? And…why are so many designers, architects and homeowners choosing it over traditional surfaces and products? This article will provide you with some background information about Solid Surface material, its versatility and application. It will also make some comparisons to many of the traditional surface materials, examining why there is an ever growing use of Solid Surface in homes and in high traffic areas such as hotels, hospitals, restaurants, theme parks and many other types of public facilities.

History of Solid Surface
Solid Surface was conceived in 1963 by a group of engineers and researchers from the DuPont™ Chemical Company. The recognized father of Solid Surface is Don Slocum whose idea was to create a material that would be totally solid all the way through, with a consistency of color, pattern and void of air bubbles. The surface had to be non-porous as well as stain, chemical and fire resistant. Fabrication of the material into a usable working surface had to be accomplished with standard woodworking tools. He also wanted a surface hard enough to function as a work surface but at the same time easily repairable. Finally, it should have a rich and pleasing 'look' to it.

Along with Don’s idea and a lot of hard work, DuPont™ produced its first sheets or Solid Surface in 1964. They called it Corian® . The company’s first installation of Corian® counter tops was completed in 1965 with the original patent for Solid Surface issued October 8, 1968.

Growth of the Solid Surface Industry
"Solid Surface" has become the generic term for a group of materials that for many years was primarily used for making countertops. However, because of the unique qualities of Solid Surface, it is now being fabricated into shower pans, shower and tub walls, floor tiles, tabletops, cutting boards, cabinet pulls and knobs, cutlery handles and many other products including artistic sculptures. The versatility of Solid Surface material makes it ideal for both custom designing as well as solving "problem" situations.

Currently, there are approximately eight to ten major corporations and 30 or more minor companies producing thousands of different types of Solid Surface materials. In much the same way that Kleenex is used to describe tissue, the name Corian® has been used to describe Solid Surface materials. However, due to the phenomenal growth of this industry over the last few years, this is changing rapidly. The companies are achieving their own identity through strong marketing campaigns and product sales. A few examples of the product names in the Solid Surface industry are Avonite® , Corian® , Fountain Head® , Gibraltar® , SSV®, Surell® , and Swanstone® . The list goes on and on with each product surface having a wide variety of colors, textures and finishes.

Each of the Solid Surface manufacturers use a different combination of chemicals to produce their products. However, the recipe for most Solid Surface materials relies on two main ingredients, natural mineral filler and a resin binder. Various additives are mixed in to give the finished product certain desirable characteristics that are unique to the manufacturer. The mixture is cast in a mold and cured in a process that results in a sheet of Solid Surface. The sheets are then sized so that the finished material is easy to transport to the fabricators and installers.

Why build with Solid Surface?
There are many materials that can be used to construct a working surface for a kitchen or bathroom. From either a construction standpoint or the consumer’s standpoint, each has its desirable qualities and some undesirable qualities. Solid Surface was developed as an answer to most of the undesirable qualities of these traditional materials.

Solid Surface emulates the best attributes of high-end traditional products. It also possesses the desirable attributes of expensive materials like marble and granite. It is very strong and durable. In contrast, it is far easier to care for and repair than marble or other stone surfaces. Best of all, Solid Surface is seamless. There are no grout lines, no edge seams and no cracks to catch dirt.

Solid Surface has all the advantages of Formica® and tile. It is easy to clean, has a bright finish, and is stain resistant. It comes in a wider range of colors and textures that allow the average consumer the opportunity to have an out-of-the-ordinary kitchen, bath or bar.

Lastly, Solid Surface products can minimize the usual costly repairs. Most countertops when damaged and repaired, look repaired! Solid Surfaces can be patched, sanded and repaired in a variety of ways that quite literally make the "fix" disappear.

The average customer will spend anywhere from two thousand to ten thousand dollars for an installation in their home. This sounds like a lot of money to spend on counters until you consider the alternatives. Stone surface is costly. Formica®, though inexpensive, has limited applications. Tile is uneven and often difficult to clean. All these surfaces can also be costly to repair and are much more difficult to keep looking new in the years ahead. This makes the seamless Solid Surface product a fantastic alternative. In short…It’s a great value!

If it’s so great…why do I need to care for it?
For all its strong points, Solid Surface has a few shortcomings. Like traditional materials, it is somewhat accepting of minor scratching and dulling. Most Solid Surface products have a deep rich glow. If desired, it can be buffed to a high shine. However, a high gloss shine shows scratches and is usually not recommended for high traffic areas such as a kitchen. The answer is to provide the customer with a "low luster shine," or matte finish, that is more forgiving. This is the level of finish recommended by the industry. Once fabricated, the surface is sanded to a medium shine and then buffed to a deep, rich, natural, low luster glow. Caring for your Solid Surface will help maintain that dry, clean natural look. If for some reason your surface does become damaged, keep in mind that repairs can be made with relative ease by a skilled craftsperson. In many cases, damage that you might consider as unrepairable, can in fact be repaired to a "like new" appearance.

So how should I care for my Solid Surface?
Clean the surface regularly in much the same way that you would maintain any counter or working surface in your home. When your installation is completed, ask the installer for suggestions about caring for the surface. Be sure to read all the product information and instructions provided with your Solid Surface. Each manufacturer generally provides a care and maintenance guide with suggestions about your particular surface. By following their advice and instructions you will be sure to receive the maximum performance and benefits your Solid Surface has to offer.

What product should I use to keep my Solid Surface looking new?
Protect All, Inc. has been working with Solid Surface fabricators, installers and suppliers for many years, They have discovered the truly unique qualities of Protect All Shine Plus™. Some of their comments are as follows:

Wayne Rutledge, Commercial Development, Avonite®, Inc: "We find Protect All Shine Plus to be an effective new product for general care and maintenance of our solid surface materials. It is, in our opinion, the best product of its kind available today. That is why we are including it in our care and maintenance kit."

Jim Brose, Corian® Training and Development: "I feel that Protect All Shine Plus surpassed our expectations for cleaning and maintaining the Corian® surface. Protect All Shine Plus is the one product that gives the surface a beautiful, natural shine -- a definite winner! ...I feel there’s no equal to the Protect All Shine Plus finish on a solid surface like Corian®!"

Steve Adams, Foothill Pacific Design -- Solid Surface Specialist: "Most countertop products leave a moist film. Protect All Shine Plus is the one product that leaves a nice, clean, dry professional finish to the job."

Kaylee Green, Lane Marble Interiors, Marble and Corian® Solid Surface Fabrication and Installation: "Easy to apply, keeps Corian® and marble surfaces much easier to clean for weeks. It gives the surface a satin feeling. Protect All Shine Plus is so economical and goes a long way. I use it on 100 or more surfaces around the home and in the garage."

James Holochuck, J & J Custom Design, Inc., Customer Residential & Commercial Fabrication Design and Installation: "Protect All Shine Plus is the best product I’ve ever used on Gibraltar® and Avonite® solid surfaces. Incredible! I use it all over the home. I can highly recommend it."

Protect All Shine Plus™ will take your Solid Surface one step past "clean." It is formulated to quickly and easily maintain the original beautiful deep rich natural glow of the surface. As a very effective non-abrasive cleaner and polish, Protect All Shine Plus™ creates a slick, protective finish that aids in preventing scratching on all types of Solid Surface materials. Protect All Shine Plus™ can also be used regularly as a primary clean up product without the common oily residue or build-up problem of other products. The surface will be dry, clean, anti-static, water and stain repellent.



Common Questions and Answers About Protect All Shine Plus™

Q. What does Protect All Shine Plus™ do for my Solid Surface?
A. Protect All Shine Plus™ will provide a deep, rich, lustrous shine to the surface without leaving a thick wet or oily film. This shine will help resist staining, and the slick finish created will help resist surface scratching.

Q. Does Protect All Shine Plus™ hide scratches?
A. Protect All Shine Plus™ is a non-abrasive polish, wax and treatment that will not hide or remove scratches. It will however clean the surface to a point where most problem areas are not as noticeable.

Q. Will Protect All Shine Plus™ remove stubborn stains?
A. Protect All Shine Plus™ is a non-abrasive cleaner/polish that will remove some stains but not stubborn stains. A treatment, however, will help to prevent staining. If Protect All Shine Plus™ does not remove a stain, consult the guide provided by your installer/fabricator that is specific to your Solid Surface. If you need additional assistance, contact the installer/fabricator or the manufacturer of the material.

Q. Will Protect All Shine Plus™ put a high gloss shine on my counter?
A. Protect All Shine Plus™ will help to maintain a high gloss shine if your original finish is high gloss. Otherwise, it will help to bring out the "natural low luster shine" of most surfaces and provide a dry slick finish for protection against scratching.

Q. Where else can I use Protect All Shine Plus™ in my home and business?
A. The answer is so complex its simple. Protect All Shine Plus™ can be used on any hard or semi-hard surface in the home or business with the exclusion of the floor. Counters, cabinets, sinks, faucets, cook tops, appliances, glass, mirrors, chrome, wood, plastic, vinyl, rubber, aluminum, stainless steel, chrome and the list goes on and on.

Q. What makes Protect All Shine Plus™ better for Solid Surface than everything else available?
A. Most products in the consumer market work using one of two methods. Some clean using strong abrasives that can scratch. Others polish using heavy oily products that leave a wet mess. Protect All Shine Plus™ is specially formulated to leave a clean, dry, anti-static, deep lustrous shine. 

More information about Protect All Shine Plus

Selecting a Qualified Fabricator
The most important choice a consumer can make when it comes to selecting a Solid Surface product is the fabricator who will actually manufacture and install it. This is not to say that the brand of solid surface chosen is unimportant--far from it. This choice is also an important one.

Solid Surface fabrication is a highly skilled and ever-changing field. Some rules and practices for fabrication and installation that are standard today were not required ten years ago--and some things that were allowed ten years ago would void most manufacturers’ warranties today. Only a full-time professional who is active in maintaining his expertise, skill and training levels, someone who works with the product every day, can hope to keep up. In the hands of the true Solid Surface craftsperson, a Solid Surface installation is as robust and permanent as anything in the house. If taken care of it will remain a useful and beautiful addition to your home or office virtually forever.

So how does one select a Solid Surface fabricator?
Most important is that the fabrication company be a member of ISSFA, the International Solid Surface Fabrication Association. The following "ISSFA Fabricator Member Code of Ethics" speaks for itself:

  • Each member of the International Solid Surface Fabricators Association agrees to observe the highest standards of Honesty, Integrity, and Responsibility in the conduct of their business.

  • By adhering strictly to the highest quality standards of fabrication and installation;

  • By promoting only those products and services that are of proven quality and value;

  • By writing contracts and warranties that are clear, honest, and fair to all parties involved;

  • By honoring all contractual obligations in a reasonably prompt manner;

  • By quickly acting on and attempting to resolve all customer complaints, and in situations where complaints appear unreasonable and persistent, by encouraging the customer to initiate an approved third party dispute settlement mechanism;

  • By being fiscally responsible and honoring all legitimate financial obligations;

  • By maintaining all required licenses and insurance;

  • By maintaining fabrication shops that are safe, healthy workplaces.

In addition to agreeing to abide by these guidelines, membership requirements for ISSFA fabricators help insure a quality job. The ISSFA program focuses on a company’s years in the business, sponsorship by an ISSFA member in good standing, trade and customer references, licensing, insurance and certification requirements and a proven track record of sound ethical business practices and quality work.

In short, the best guarantee for Solid Surface fabrication and installation is to choose an ISSFA fabricator member. There is no other group or association besides ISSFA whose sole responsibility is to look out for the health and quality of the Solid Surface industry. To find an ISSFA fabricator member in your area, call the National Headquarters at 702-567-8150, or, go to www.issfa.org

 

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