Views: 10 Author: Site Editor Publish Time: 2025-11-06 Origin: Site
Solid surface is a man-made material typically composed of a blend of acrylic, polyester, or a combination of both, mixed with mineral fillers (like alumina trihydrate) and pigments. It is non-porous, homogeneous (consistent color and pattern throughout its thickness), and can be seamlessly joined.
Key Brand Names You Might Know:
Corian® (by DuPont, now part of Surfaces)
Avonite®
HI-MACS®
Staron®
Wilsonart® Solid Surface
Koris®
Seamless & Non-Porous: This is its single greatest advantage. With integral sinks and coved (rounded) backsplashes, there are no grout lines, cracks, or seams where bacteria, mold, and viruses can hide. This makes it exceptionally easy to disinfect and meets the highest hygiene standards.
Ease of Maintenance & Repair: It can be cleaned with common hospital-grade disinfectants without degrading. Minor scratches, scuffs, or burns can be easily sanded out, restoring the surface to like-new condition without replacement.
Durability: It is resistant to impact, stains, and chemicals commonly found in healthcare environments (alcohols, bleach, hydrogen peroxide).
Design Flexibility: It can be thermoformed into curved shapes, making it ideal for custom nurse stations, radiology ledges, and ergonomic designs that improve workflow. The wide range of colors and patterns allows it to contribute to a healing, non-institutional aesthetic.
Sustainability: Many brands offer products with high recycled content and are themselves recyclable. They are also GREENGUARD Certified, meaning they have low VOC emissions, contributing to better indoor air quality.
| Application | Benefits of Solid Surface |
|---|---|
| Nurse Stations & Reception | Seamless, durable work surface that withstands heavy use; integrated sinks and cable management; aesthetically pleasing to create a welcoming environment. |
| Patient Room Headwalls & Footwalls | Can be fabricated with fully integrated medical gas columns, electrical outlets, lighting, and data ports. The seamless surface is easy to wipe down between patients. |
| Patient Bathrooms & Shower Rooms | Integral shower basins, vanity tops, and sinks with coved backsplashes eliminate leak points and microbial habitats. Excellent for ADA-compliant, barrier-free designs. |
| Surgical & Procedure Suites | Used for scrub sinks (often with integrated timers) and countertops. Its non-porous nature is critical in these sterile environments. |
| Laboratory & Pharmacy Countertops | Resistant to a wide range of chemicals and stains; seamless construction prevents contamination in critical compounding and testing areas. |
| Radiology & Imaging Ledges | Can be custom-formed to fit specific equipment, providing a smooth, durable surface for patient transfer and equipment placement. |
| Medical Office Furnishings | Used for exam room countertops, casework, and built-in furniture, offering a clean, professional look that is easy to maintain. |
| Material | Pros | Cons for Healthcare |
|---|---|---|
| Solid Surface | Seamless, repairable, non-porous, wide design range, good durability. | Can be susceptible to scratching; not as heat-resistant as quartz. |
| Quartz Surfacing | Extremely hard, scratch & heat resistant, non-porous, wide color range. | Seams are visible (a hygiene concern), more difficult to fabricate complex shapes, cannot be repaired as easily. |
| Laminate | Low cost, many designs. | Seams and edges are vulnerable, not repairable, can be damaged by moisture and harsh chemicals, delaminates if chipped. |
| Stainless Steel | Highly durable, heat resistant, impervious, common in sterile zones. | Shows fingerprints and water spots, can be noisy, "industrial" aesthetic, seams can trap bacteria if not welded perfectly. |
| Natural Stone (Granite) | Very hard, unique aesthetic. | Porous (requires frequent sealing), seams are visible, can stain, difficult to repair, limited design consistency. |
When selecting a solid surface for a healthcare project, consider these factors:
Fire & Smoke Ratings: Ensure the product meets the required building codes (e.g., ASTM E84 Class A for flame spread and smoke development).
Chemical Resistance: Verify the manufacturer's guidelines for compatibility with the specific disinfectants and cleaning agents used by the facility's environmental services.
Impact Resistance: While durable, it is not indestructible. Specify appropriate thicknesses (e.g., ½" or 12mm for heavy-use countertops) for the application.
Code Compliance: Ensure the product and installation meet all relevant codes, including ADA requirements for clearances and reach ranges.
Color Selection: Lighter, solid colors can better reveal soil for cleaning, while speckled patterns can help hide minor scratches and stains. Biophilic designs (patterns mimicking nature) are also popular for promoting calm.
The trend in healthcare is moving towards environments that reduce stress and promote healing. Solid surface is perfectly positioned for this:
Warm, Residential Aesthetics: New colors and patterns mimic wood, stone, and abstract natural forms, moving away from cold, clinical whites and beiges.
Integrated Technology: Seamless integration of touch screens, power outlets, and lighting into solid surface workstations.
Ergonomics: Thermoforming allows for curved edges and custom heights that improve comfort and safety for both staff and patients.
Competitive pricing without compromising on quality or service
Technical support to ensure your surfaces perform optimally throughout their lifecycle
Flexible solutions that adapt to your operational requirements and timescales
Unrivalled craftsmanship backed by decades of solid surface fabrication experience
