A Look at What’s New in Solid Surface
Products
By Russ Lee
There’s always something new going on in the world of solid
surface. Unlike other products such as tile, granite or laminate,
which can only rely on a smattering of new colors every year to
liven up their product offerings, solid surface is in a state of
constant evolution.
Following is a sampling of some of the new products shown at Solid
Surface 2000, the annual conference and trade show put on by the
International Solid Surface Fabricators Association (ISSFA) in Las
Vegas this past February.
Composition
What could be more fun than glow-in-the-dark solid surface? Not
much at least that’s what the folks at Fountainhead seem to be
thinking these days. Dubbed “Midnight Vision,” the newly minted,
phosphorus-free material is appropriate for use in hospitals,
airplanes, movie theaters, children’s bedrooms and other
applications where soft illumination is desired when the lights are
turned off.
Extremely chemical and stain resistant, epoxy resin has become the
surfacing material of choice for laboratories around the world
because of its toughness. Yet, the same properties that make it
ideal for harsh environments also make it hard to work with. It is
heavy, difficult to cut and quite expensive. That is, until now.
Kewaunee Labs has developed an epoxy resin material that is
non-porous, seamable, machinable and lightweight, thereby
qualifying as solid surface under ISSFA-1-98. Available in only
four colors, however, the product has been developed for use
primarily for the commercial market.
Traditional resin formulations for solid surface are changing as
well. Schock Co. of Germany has developed an acrylic product that
is manufactured under a new process, which the company claims
relieves the stress and surface tension factors normally built into
solid surface through conventional manufacturing techniques.
Avonite has developed a polyester resin “alloy” solid surface
that company officials claim delivers enhanced physical properties,
such as higher heat resistance, less brittleness and improved
machining capability. Called “Soladium,” the new material delivers
its own unique look when it is broken up into “crunchies” and
re-mixed into fresh sheets. It is also the primary ingredient in a
new translucent solid surface material, which the company says is
ideal for room dividers, as well as for traditional
countertops.
Aesthetics
An appealing aspect of solid surface is its ability to mimic the
look of natural materials while retaining the characteristic of
invisible seams. Thus, a fabricator can produce a flowing faux
granite or marble countertop surface that is both multi-directional
and monolithic. Seam in a bowl or two of virtually any shape or
color, add a sloped drainboard and a coved backsplash, and you have
a watertight, easy to maintain and beautiful installation.
The trouble with this is, many of the granite patterns usually
offered by solid surface in the past tended to look much more like
sand than granite. But that is changing, too.
Karadon, of Vancouver, British Columbia, has developed a line of
solid surface that closely resembles the appearance of stone. Its
latest offering looks so much like black galaxy granite, in fact,
that the only way a casual observer can tell the difference between
the two materials is by touch. The cold, hard feel of granite is
contrasted by the luxurious warmth of solid surface.
Fountainhead has also introduced a new product line featuring
metallic particles suspended in a solid surface matrix. Available
in gold, silver and bronze, the material produces a directional,
shimmering effect that appears to change as the viewer shifts
position. This “Metallics” line of solid surface is produced using
the same technology as Fountainhead’s Artifacts, which features
multi-colored slivers of polyester crunchies embedded directionally
in a solid surface matrix.
What could be more custom than an exotic mother of pearl inlay
in your countertop? Or, how about including an abalone shell
decorative stripe along the front edge? Both of these natural
materials are now offered for use in solid surface by Avonite,
which manufactures the material in varying widths coated with a
clear resin, ready for seaming into the countertop.
Company officials hint that these initial shell offerings are just
the beginning of a wide array of natural and man-made solid surface
compositions slated to be unveiled in the near future.
Shapes
DuPont Corian continues to lead the way with its latest crop of
sink offerings for both the kitchen and the bath. Perhaps the most
striking of these recent introductions is a new vanity bowl cast in
the shape of a modified oval, which features a soap dish shelf
built right into the sink. This extra deep bowl, when used together
with Corian’s new modified octagon lavatory sink, makes for an
optimal “his and her” combination in the bathroom.
When you want to add a splash of color and the simple elegance
of European design to the kitchen, Pfeiffer and Sons’ new MIXA sink
offers an alternative to what is considered the normal fare.
Consisting of a thermoformed Corian bowl and optional drainboard,
this kitchen sink line features a stainless steel or brass bottom
and seams directly into the solid surface deck. Distribution of the
line in the U.S. is handled through XXL Innovations.
Speaking of thermoformed sinks, TFI Corporation has just
released its new line of molded vanity bowls, which the company
hopes will entice the end-user with a smorgasbord of color and
contemporary design options. If you’re looking for a scalloped
solid surface lavatory sink, or one of those free-standing oval or
round models so popular in contemporary design, TFI probably has
what you’re looking for in both granite and solid colors.
And how about a solid surface bathtub? Centura Solid Surfacing
in Westfield, IN makes a line of tubs in both solid and granite
colors. The company also casts solid surface shower pans in its
manufacturing facility, and offers the option of custom colors for
all of its products.
Ask your fabricator
Can you see an application for any of these new products in an
upcoming job? Talk to your fabricator for more information. If your
fabricator attended Solid Surface 2000, he or she can bring you up
to date on the availability and color options for the products
you’re interested in, as well as provide suggestions for other
applications not listed above.