What is Solid Surface

In 1963, solid surface was merely an idea. Don Slocum, a researcher at DuPont™ Chemical Company, aspired to create a durable, sanitary and aesthetically pleasing product that was homogenous in material and color. While more popular materials such as granite, marble and laminate were widely used as building materials, they’re also naturally porous or used porous substrates, and thus more likely to deteriorate with use and harbor harmful bacteria.

Slocum collaborated with researchers and engineers at DuPont to create the first sheets of solid surface in 1964, which they called Corian®. Many companies have since created their own brands of solid surface, including LG HI-MACS®, DuPont™ Corian®, Aristech Avonite Surfaces®, and Lotte Staron® to name a few.

Why should you use it

  • It’s durable, so it doesn’t need to be replaced or repaired year after year, saving you money in the long run.
  • It’s easy to clean, keeping your investment in like-new condition.
  • It’s repairable, making scratches or gouges a simple fix.
  • It’s hygienic, making it safer for everyone who comes in contact with the product.
  • It’s stunning in design, attractive, and sleek
  • It’s customizable, allowing us to manufacture and build exactly what you’ve envisioned.

Where do we use it?

While solid surface was first conceived primarily as an alternative to granite, marble or laminate countertops, it’s now used to build a variety of products including furniture, tables, desks, cabinets, lockers and restrooms. Here are just a few great places to use solid surface:

Heavily trafficked areas

Because solid surface is so durable, it’s great for those locations that see hundreds of people come and go throughout the day. For example, it’s popular material for reception desks, lobby spaces, restrooms, restaurant tables, college dormitories, educational labs and retail shelving. The products not only withstand daily, intensive use, but they are also easily cleaned so as to appear brand new, even after years of use.

Healthcare environments

Solid surface is more sanitary than traditional material. Its nonporous and seamless qualities result in less dirt and bacteria buildup, making it perfect for environments such as hospitals that require cleanliness to help prevent healthcare-associated infections (HAIs).

Additionally, because solid surface is thermomoldable, it can be shaped into a more continuous design that makes it easier for those with disabilities to use and navigate.

Hospitality and commercial buildings

For those businesses and designers looking for a more elegant, polished look, solid surface provides the perfect solution. Designers can create almost any shape with solid surface, allowing for rare but memorable designs that create a higher-end environment. The limitless options give designers and architects substantial design freedom in creating the product, allowing them to create sophisticated and elaborate solid surface products with a sleek finish.

Athletic environments

Athletes can be hard on their equipment without even realizing it. Whether they’re aware that they’re damaging lockers and training room furniture or not doesn’t matter if you build smart with durable materials. Because to them, it’s just normal use. Whether it’s gallons of sweat, sopping jerseys, layers of grime, mud-laden gear, etc., solid surface is the material of choice when it comes to hygiene and longevity of your athletic investments. Learn more about Shield Lockers.