loading

        KingKonree - Solid Surface Manufacturer of Sanitary Ware, Solid Surface Countertops & Sheets for over 25 years, innovation in moulding and thermoforming

Solid Surface vs Granite: Which is Right for Your Kitchen Worktops?

There are two ways to form a kitchen worktop. One is to use massive machinery and wire-cutting machines to extract natural stone (granite) from the earth. Another is to create a solid-surface kitchen worktop using acrylic polymer combined with particulate chips that match the recipe for color and texture. Which worktop would you prefer for your kitchen, solid surface or granite? In this guideline, we will compare the characteristics of these two materials to find the right one for our kitchen.

Scratches, acidic liquids, dropped cookware, and abrasive utensils can damage kitchen worktops. However, solid-surface kitchen worktops and granite will react differently to these external factors. Heat, UV light, and dusting can also affect the material's color, surface finish, and strength. We will see which performs better and why we should consider either. Ultimately, we will summarize the key points so that our readers can immediately make decisions based on their take on both kitchen worktops.

Background: Formation Process of Solid Surface and Granite

Understanding the formation process of both materials can be helpful in the selection process. It highlights the limitations of each type of material and gives an insight into how they can affect the environment.

Manufacturing Solid Surface Kitchen Worktop

Did you know that a plastic surface that serves as a solid surface kitchen worktop also contains many other materials? It can have color pigments, metal flakes, glitter, and sometimes particulates of natural stone to change its characteristics like strength, or it can serve as a decorative addition. It all depends on the texture choice and material characteristics decided by the designer. 
Solid Surface vs Granite: Which is Right for Your Kitchen Worktops? 1
The process starts with the formation of a particulate material mixture. Pigment and particulate are mixed with acrylic polymer and poured onto a steel belt. The belt has boundaries that maintain the width of the polymer mixture. The mixture is then exposed to steam and later passes through heated ovens to form a continuous sheet. Then, these sheets are cut into pieces that are fit for transport and further fabrication. It follows the sanding and polishing process with acrylic solid surface sheets.

Solid Surface vs Granite: Which is Right for Your Kitchen Worktops? 2

Production of Granite Tabletops

Granite is extracted from the earth's core. The solidification of lava forms it. It is a stone cut into the form that serves as the worktop for your kitchen. At the Quarry site, the extraction process starts by drilling bores into the earth with a 93mm diameter. Then, explosives enter the boreholes at an appropriate distance from each other. A controlled explosion happens, which separates the rock from the bed.

These bedrocks are cut into large granite slabs at the quarry using wire cutting. The slabs are then transported using heavy machinery to a manufacturing facility, where they are further processed to form a kitchen worktop. The process of cutting, grinding, and polishing is involved. The material needs to be carefully handled once it is in the form of slabs as it is brittle.

Solid Surface vs Granite: Which is Right for Your Kitchen Worktops? 3

10 Factors to Consider When Selecting Kitchen Worktops

Always take your time to finalize products that will go into your home. You might use a kitchen worktop daily, and if the product is not up to the mark or doesn't match your requirements, it can lead to daily dissatisfaction. Let's dive deeper into the aspects you need to consider when finalizing a solid surface kitchen worktop or granite solution for your home:

1. Surface Finish

Having a consistently shiny tabletop can be a fantastic feeling. The clean look can enhance mood and aesthetic pleasure, increasing productivity. Good-quality material and intricate processing can lead to an even surface. Users can pick from a matte finish to a glossy finish, depending on their preference. Both granite and solid-surface kitchen worktops have variations in surface finish. Natural stones may have some inconsistencies in surface finish, which manufacturers clear up using various techniques.

2. Consistencies in Texture

Natural stone can add luxury to the kitchen. They consist of intricate patterns that are otherwise impossible to recreate precisely using any other material. However, they are prone to inconsistencies. Finding similar color patterns in batches of natural stone slabs can be challenging as the material does not fuse together. It can consist of multiple joints to form a kitchen worktop. Plastics, on the other hand, like solid surfaces, can join together and have consistency in material.

 

3. Performance Against Abrasives and External Forces

Kitchen worktops are exposed to sharp materials, such as knives, forks, and other cutting tools. These can cause scratches and sometimes break away parts of the worktop. Therefore, the material must be strong enough to resist chipping, denting, scratching, or cracking during regular kitchen activities. In some cases, moving cookware or sliding can also cause scratches on the surface. Mats, trivets, and cutting boards must be used to protect the surface from damage. In some cases, it can cause part of the worktop to break due to heavy forces exerted by falling objects.

 Solid Surface vs Granite: Which is Right for Your Kitchen Worktops? 4

4. The Affect of Sunlight on Kitchen Worktops

The UV lights and heat from the sunlight can affect the kitchen worktops. Color fading, temperature, thermal expansion, efflorescence, and photodegradation are some everyday things that can happen to kitchen worktops when exposed to sunlight. Color fading can occur, especially on worktops that contain color pigments. A rise in surface temperature can sometimes be uncomfortable and cause efflorescence, leaving behind residue that can be hard to clean. Photodegradation in polymers is also a common phenomenon which can damage the worktop. Consider the effect of sunlight on your kitchen if you are exposed to it.

 Solid Surface vs Granite: Which is Right for Your Kitchen Worktops? 5

5. Repairability

Having the ability to repair a kitchen worktop can go a long way, as there is always a chance of mishap. A heavy object can fall on the countertop, and sometimes, with time, the countertop can also lose its shine or matte finish. Whether breaking away of material or degradation in surface finish, repairing your countertop with minimum investments is the best option. A repairable countertop goes a long way and stays new over decades.

 

6. Resistance Against Heat

High heat can damage some materials. For natural stones, thermal expansion can sometimes cause them to crack if they are uneven across a surface. Low-quality plastics can melt away or start deformation, discoloration, or disassociation. Regardless of the type of material, whether natural or synthetic, it should retain its shape to ensure longer life.

 

7. Bendability

Modern minimalist and contemporary designs have flooded the market. It compels architects and interior designers to pick more flexible materials for their creative imagination. Natural stones are brittle, and bending them is not possible. Forming smooth curves is nearly impossible. However, in the case of plastics, bendability is a significant advantage. It can bend at a right angle of 90° and even more as per user requirements. It unlocks unlimited design applications and formations. The canvas for creativity is much larger with plastic kitchen worktops.

 

8. Color Variation

A broader palette of colors for selection can provide better interior design compatibility. For some users, a simple black, beige, white, or mono color scheme may not work. They may require the addition of gold streaks, silver, and intricate patterns that are a delight to the eye. Finding such color variation by nature is challenging and has a very high cost. Therefore, finding man-made materials like plastics for color matching is much more manageable and flexible.

 

9. Cost-Effectiveness

Every house is built on a budget, and kitchens often contribute significantly to the overall construction and furnishing cost. Many options include laminated sheets, granite, solid surface, quartz, and marble table tops. However, their prices vary significantly. Laminated sheets are the most cost-effective but also the least durable. Finding the delicate balance of reliability, longevity, and toughness with cost can be challenging. In our case, granite and solid surface are good competitors.

 

10. Environment Friendliness

The world is shifting towards environmentally friendly products. These products must be sustainable, recyclable, and require less energy during manufacturing. They should also use minimal VOCs, which can be harmful, especially in a kitchen environment.

 

Comparison of Solid Surface Vs. Granite Kitchen Worktops

Feature

Solid Surface

Granite

Surface Finish

Consistent across batches

Variable finish depends on material

Texture

Consistent

Inconsistent, natural variations

Durability

Resists scratches, some heat sensitivity

Highly resistant to scratches and heat

Sunlight

Some color fading

Color fading is possible, and heat expansion

Repairability

Highly repairable

Difficult to repair

Heat Resistance

Moderate

High

Bendability

Highly bendable

Not bendable

Color

Wide range

Limited to natural colors

Cost

Generally more affordable

It can be more expensive

Environment

Can be more eco-friendly

Generally more eco-friendly (natural)

 

Is Solid Surface is the Best Alternative to Stone Kitchen Worktops

Yes, solid-surface kitchen worktops are an ideal alternative to stone worktops. They have an excellent price-to-performance ratio, are versatile in design and material strength, are easily repairable, and offer seamless construction. Skilled workers can connect solid-surface pieces without gaps or fillers, reducing the chances of grime collection or dust accumulation. Due to their tight polymer structure, they are non-porous, making them hygienic for the kitchen environment.

Overall, solid surfaces are the best alternative to stone kitchens. If you are looking for high-quality solid surface material, visit the Kingkonree (KKR) website, which offers tons of variety in solid surface kitchen worktops. They have 20+ years of experience and exports to over 107 countries. Kingkonree (KKR) is the right choice for high-quality CE/SGS/UV/CUPC-certified products.

FAQ

1. What’s the maximum unsupported overhang on a solid surface worktop?

Overhang for solid surface worktop can go to 6 inches. Anything above 6 inches will require additional supports like brackets, corbels, or plywood decking. Thickness can affect the length of the overhang. For example, 3/4" (19 mm) material from KKR can hang 12" (305 mm). Thicker material increases strength for overhang.

2. Do solid surface countertops scratch easily?

Solid surface countertops are made from acrylics blended with stones or other materials. It makes the material prone to scratches. However, their moldability and flexible nature make them easily repairable using a small heat source. An entry-level fabricator can fix solid surface countertops with ease. They also grind, sand, and polish efficiently.

prev
What are Solid Surface Bathtub Pros and Cons?
Top 10 Bathroom Vanity Manufacturers
next
recommended for you
no data
Get in touch with us


About Us

KingKonree is not only a professional China sanitary ware brand, but also a specialist focus on exporting service since it's establishment in 2000. The products we prize is the combination of quality and design.

 Company Info

Address:Room No. 2408-2508, Building 5A, Longguang Jiuzuan, Longhua District, Shenzhen, China

Zip Code: 518131

Tel: +86 (0)755-82875700

Fax: +86 (0)755-82875921

Email: cherry@kingkonree.com

All rights reserved © 2024 Kingkonree International China Surface Industrial Co., Ltd | Privacy Policy Sitemap
Customer service
detect