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Custom Architectural Woodwork & Specialty Finishes
Custom Architectural Woodwork & Specialty Finishes
Solid surface is an engineered material made up of mostly aluminum trihydroxide and acrylic resin or polyester resin. The aluminum trihydroxide provides heat resistance and hardness to the solid surface. The acrylic or polyester resin is the binder that holds the material together. Color pigments and acrylic chips provide the different variations that seem to be limitless.
In what commercial finishes can solid surfaces be used?
We all know that solid surfaces can be used for countertops. Did you know that it is becoming more common for solid surfaces to be used for wall cladding, die walls, shower pans, stair cladding and more? Thermoforming adds even more diversity when it comes to how solid surfaces are applied in commercial applications.
Many people believe that solid surfaces are “antibacterial”. This is a common misnomer. The truth is that solid surfaces are no more “antibacterial” than the shirt you are wearing. However, solid surfaces are non-porous. This makes solid surfaces easy to clean and in application settings such as healthcare where a 3-step cleaning process is used a great surface.
There are limitations to solid surface applications and some basic recommendations. For example, each manufacturer will specify how tight a radius can be when thermoforming solid surfaces. Wilsonart recommends limiting the radius to 3 inches while Corian states that their solid surfaces can be as tight as ½ inch. The thickness of the material, the chemical makeup and any large acrylic chip used can determine how tight a radius will be. Did you know that even if a solid surface manufacturer states that their solid surface can be bent to a very tight radius that acrylic chips in the material can “blow out”?
It is always best to ask for a mock-up when it comes to pushing the limits of thermoforming solid surfaces.
Some other limitations to solid surfaces are visible seams and scratching. Most solid surface come in sheets of 144 inches by 30 inches, meaning if you have a surface area that is wider than 30 inches you will have a seam. With solid colors this is not a problem using color matching adhesive. This does become a problem if you are using a solid surface that has “movement” or different colors in the aggregate. Because of the movement, the seam will likely be visible. One way to design around this would be to add a reveal where the seam will be located. Another limitation to solid surfaces is that when darker colors are scratched, the scratches will show up light grey or even white. For this reason, working surfaces such as countertops, transaction ledges, etc. should always be a lighter color. Save the darker colors for vertical applications such as wall cladding.
At Giffin Interior we have be in producing exceptional millwork since 1980. We are AWI QCP licensed.
Contact us today to review your next commercial millwork project.sales@giffininterior.com
