As far as kitchen countertops are concerned, Mr. McGuire in The Graduate had it right: “There’s a great future in plastics.” Not all plastics, of course—in general, we try to keep them out of the kitchen—but the durable, adaptable manufactured material commonly known as Corian is gaining traction. While natural materials (granite, marble, wood) have ruled the roost in kitchens for many years, solid-surface countertops are increasingly the competition. Greater color choices, widespread availability, and a more affordable entry point than high-end stone are just some of the reasons to take another look. Have you installed Corian or other solid-surface countertops in your own kitchen? Please share your experiences in the Comments section at the bottom. Above: In a Victorian house in Stoke Newington, London, a white Corian countertop lightens the small kitchen. Photograph from Inner Sanctum: Maximum Calm in a London Townhouse. Solid surface is a manufactured material made from polymer resins mixed with minerals and colorants.

It is durable, nontoxic, hygienic, nonallergenic, and has Greenguard Certification. Most commonly manufactured in sheets (in thicknesses akin to standard countertops), solid surface is fabricated into countertops, cabinet fronts, backsplashes, and beyond. In addition to being man-made and therefore abundantly available unlike natural stone, solid surface is: Above: In a kitchen by Blakes London, a member of the Remodelista Architect Directory, the designers used white solid surface for both the countertop and integrated sink. “The ability to have an integral sink in the same finish as the counter is an attractive feature in some of these manufactured surfaces,” Jamie Blake says. To get this seamless look, customization isn’t always required: Many solid-surface manufacturers stand ready with prefabricated sinks for order. Photograph courtesy of Blakes London. As Levi’s is to blue jeans, the brand Corian is to solid-surface countertops. Dupont created the material in the 1960s and held a patent for over 30 years.

The expiration of Corian’s patent enabled other manufacturers of solid-surface countertops to enter the market. These include LG Hi-Macs, Samsung’s Staron, Hanex, Wilsonart, and Finnish-based Durat, which uses 30 percent postindustrial recycled plastics. metallic foil curtain 12'x8(It should be noted that Corian’s Terra Collection is made with 6 percent pre-consumer recycled content.)lowes traverse curtain rods What’s the difference between the brands? curtains mavelikaraThe materials are actually nearly identical (Dupont’s once secret recipe for Corian is now out in the world). dossal curtains

The product pricing is similar, too, with some variations from installation requirements (see below). Color is the biggest differentiator between the brands. Solid-surface counters are available in hundreds of hues, ranging from a rainbow of solids (whites to brights) to metallics to stone patterns. ikea zipline curtainThese are all matte and can’t be polished to a sheen. dunelm black windsor curtainsCorian alone offers a portfolio of 118 colors. curtain fabric shop saltaireManufacturers offer samples (small tiles of the actual material in the same thickness as a standard counter) either to order on their websites or through installers or reps. Above: Solid surface is one of the few countertop materials that you can get in perfect white–lending it particular currency in the pale kitchen trend of late.

The white Corian countertop in this London Victorian has integrated sinks to give the small space a minimalist look. Above L and R: Corian Rain Cloud mimics Carrara marble. Photographs from KCB Cabinets. Like the natural stone look? Most solid-surface brands offer stone-like colors and are working to get them closer to the real thing. That said, patterned solid surface should come with a warning label: Installation may compromise the seamless look. When patterned pieces are joined together at a corner, it’s not possible to have perfect pattern matching; the seam won’t be visible, but a perpendicular pattern change will be noticeable. “In most of these manufactured materials, the solid colors or uniform, granular patterns are more successful than the ones that try to mimic granites and marbles,” says architect Robert Schultz. Architect Lauren Rubin agrees: “I like the solid surfaces but generally avoid the simulated stone. I’m a purist, if you want the look of stone, stay with stone.”

Above: Unlike most other countertop material (except plastic laminate) solid surface is available in a wide range of eye-opening colors—including this orange from Durat in a kitchen by Pirkko-Liisa Topelius. Photograph courtesy of Durat. Above: Dark colors are available, but they show scratches and nicks more than lighter hues. Helsinki-based Studio Koskinen Rantanen used dark gray Durat solid surface throughout this kitchen. Photograph courtesy of Durat. Yes, its range of colors and adaptability makes solid surface a great partner for all kinds of other materials, including wood and stainless steel. Above: A white solid-surface counter complements the oak wood kitchen in a kitchen by New York architect Lauren Rubin. Photograph from 10 Favorites: Architects’ Budget Kitchen Countertop Picks. Solid surface is most commonly manufactured in sheets that are then fabricated into countertops. The process typically goes something like this: Above: In a renovated kitchen by architect Oliver Freundlich, the sink counter is Glacier White Corian that’s three-quarters of an inch thick: “While 1 1/4-inch thickness is standard, I went with three-quarter inch because it’s thin and light and complements the scale of the kitchen,” Freundlich says.

See more at Rehab Diary: Cobble Hill Kitchen Makeover, Before and After. Photograph by Matthew Williams for Remodelista. In residential settings, solid surface is most commonly found as countertops, but thanks to its durability, strength, and adaptability, its uses are expanding. These include integrated sinks, backsplashes, wall panels, cabinet fronts, tables, shelving, and even switch plates—and that’s just in the kitchen. Solid surface is making inroads in other rooms, too, especially bathrooms, thanks to the fact that it’s impervious to water. Above: The vanity and tub in a bathroom at the Hotel Brosundet, in Norway, is made of white Durat.  Corian and its competitors are not inexpensive. Northwest-based Precision Countertops says a good rule of thumb is $45 to $68 per square foot installed. The variation in price is mostly dependent on the color selected (colors are typically grouped in different price bands). Another factor affecting pricing is fabrication.

Some manufacturers require that the final product be fabricated by approved/trained fabricators (meaning you can’t track down your own, more affordable option). The upside, in the case of Corian, is that the product and installation are covered by a 10-year warranty. Above: To help lighten a dark kitchen in an Amsterdam loft, a minimalist light gray, solid-surface countertop was introduced. Photograph by Irene Hoofs of Bloesem Living. Unlike many natural countertop materials, solid surface is extremely low maintenance. It doesn’t require sealants and for day-to-day use, soapy water is all that’s recommended. If however, there’s residue buildup, a product such as Soft Scrub and a nonscratching scouring pad should do the trick. As for ongoing maintenance, the number-one thing to avoid is putting hot cooking vessels directly on the counter; like Formica, solid surface is not heat-resistant and can burn. The good news is that if an accident occurs, solid-surface countertops are repairable—chips, scratches, burns, and any other visible damage can be filled and sanded.