When it comes to choosing countertops, materials like granite and quartz are often at the top of people’s wish lists. Today, I want to discuss another great option that often gets overlooked—solid surfaces.

Don’t consider it the ugly stepsister in countertop materials, folks. Solid surfaces are beautiful with lots of benefits. After you read this short article, don’t be surprised if you find yourself moving this material to the top of your must-have list.

Before I get into the benefits, let’s talk about what I mean when I say “solid surfaces.” In a recent blog post, I discussed the science behind solid surfaces, which are made using homogeneous acrylic or polyester-acrylic blend resins mixed with other natural additives to allow for total customization. Definitely check out that article when you get a chance.

Now, let’s get into the big benefits that solid surfaces offer:

1. Buh-bye, seams.

With granite and even quartz, seams can show. Not so with solid surfaces. This makes it an ideal choice for all designs, especially more complex ones, which brings me to my next point.

2. Hello, curves.

Fabricators can do so much more with solid surfaces because of its inherent flexibility, which makes it easier to shape. Think curves, turns, curls, and a whole bunch of other design options. In fact, think way beyond countertops. Solid surfaces can work in vertical applications as well (such as shower surrounds, partitions, dividers, backsplashes, and more).

3. Ready to binge on color?
Rainforest

With granite, what you see is what you get. Its so-called uniqueness is often a double-edged sword. Yes, each slab of granite is special because it’s one-of-a-kind, but it can often be difficult to work with since it doesn’t have a uniform appearance. While quartz does offer color consistency, solid surface is the material that will really impress you when it comes to color options. (Psst: that solid surface color swatch to the right is one of ours…it’s called Rainforest.)

3. Meet me at the intersection of cool sinks and countertops.

Designs often call for cohesion and smooth transitions, especially from countertops to sinks. With granite and quartz, this look is more difficult to achieve, but with solid surfaces, you can have your countertop and sink made from the same material. Talk about a cohesive look (and, again, one that doesn’t produce unsightly seams).

4. Give three cheers for easy, breezy cleaning (because no sealing).
Solid surfaces are non-porous, which means you don’t have to worry about bacteria and germs growing in nooks, crannies, or cracks. This makes cleaning straightforward—soapy sponges and hot water usually do the trick .Ongoing maintenance is super easy as well since there’s no annual sealing you have to worry about like you do with granite.

Bonus: solid surfaces are built to last, which is one of the many reasons most solid surfaces come with a limited 10-year warranty.

5. Tell your wallet to relax.
Granite and quartz typically cost more than solid surfaces. If you opt for solid surfaces, you get all the benefits above and extra wiggle room in your budget to boot—dollars you can put towards some other accent or design flourishes. That’s a win-win for everyone.
Be sure to check out our solid surface collections: Meridian Solid Surface Acrylic Collection and Meridian Solid Surface Countertops.