General

What is a solid surface worktop?

A solid surface worktop is a man-made countertop material composed of acrylic or polyester resin combined with natural minerals and pigments. It is non-porous, seamless, and fully repairable, making it widely used in kitchens, bathrooms, healthcare facilities, and commercial environments.

Is there a difference between the Solid Surface brands?

Generally, Pure Acrylic Solid Surface materials from any of the brands listed are essentially the same — mineral‑filled acrylic composites. 

Each brand will claim that subtle variance in composition justifies a competitive edge, especially performance and sustainability credentials. Some have genuinely gone the extra distance to attain certification for specific uses for specific colours (often for conditions of heat, chemicals, medical, dental or food applications).

All brands however, offer seamless joins, thermoformability, hygienic non‑porous finish, and similar performance traits that set solid surfaces apart from natural stone or quartz in kitchen and bathroom applications. 

The sheet prices vary considerably by brand, with some using name recognition to charge a premium, whilst other focus on breadth of colour range and availability. 

As fabricators, we typically find that there is no correlation between brand pricing and solid surface material quality/performance.  Our cheapest offering performs as well as our most expensive - our price is driven by the brand's own price model. We don't offer brands that undermine our reputation and put our warranties at risk.

This means, ultimately, that you can focus on colour choice and budget, regardless of brand, as the final product and performance will be like the seamless joins... inconspicuous.

What is Solid Surface made from?

Solid surface materials were developed in the 1960s by DuPont as an alternative to natural stone. They typically contain:

30–35% acrylic or polyester resin – provides durability and flexibility

60–70% mineral fillers, such as aluminium trihydrate – gives strength and rigidity

Why is solid surface a great choice?

We believe that Solid Surface is one of the best products to use when crafting high-quality kitchens and bathrooms.

We’ve found that Solid Surface meets and exceeds the demands of our customers for the following reasons:

Visually Stunning

There’s no denying the beauty of a Solid Surface worktop, it’s one of the reasons it’s earned such a good reputation in the industry.

The non-porous smooth surface makes for a pristine, uniform finish that feels soft to the touch and appears virtually seamless. With a wide range of colours to choose from, you can also tailor your Solid Surface product to match your personal style.

Seamless Joins

The seamless nature is a standout feature that makes it such a popular choice. Unlike traditional materials with visible seams, it can be molded and joined to create a continuous surface. 

Easy to Keep Clean

Because Solid Surface has a non-porous finish, it’s extremely easy to keep clean and is also extra hygienic.

The material won’t absorb any spills or splashes, which is especially important in kitchens and bathrooms where you want to minimise the growth of bacteria or mould as much as possible. With simple daily maintenance, such as wiping with a damp cloth, Solid Surface worktops will remain good as new for an impressive amount of time.

Resistant to Daily Wear and Tear

Most of us use our kitchen worktops everyday, so it’s important to choose a material that is resistant to scratches, spills, heat, and daily wear and tear – like Solid Surface.

This durability ensures that the worktops can withstand the rigors of daily use in busy kitchens without showing signs of damage. However, if you do need some repair work, Solid Surface is very quick to restore to it’s original beauty – just give us a call.

Tailor-Made Products Fit For You

Blackdown Solid Surface products give our customers unparalleled freedom to design a space that reflects their personal style.

Solid Surface can be molded into various shapes with curved edges and integrated sinks of any size. It provides a much more flexible choice for people with unusual kitchen designs, or who want to design something a bit more unique.

Zero Silica

Given the growing concerns about the incidence of silicosis from the fabrication, installation and disposal of quartz, we can confirm that solid surface worktops and associated products are silica free.