Solid surface (acrylic)

Acrylic stone (solid surface) is a composite of acrylic resin and mineral filler. It is known through brands such as Corian, Staron and Hi-Macs. According to one source it contains about 60-70% mineral filler (usually aluminium trihydrate) and 30-40% acrylic resin, but proportions depend on the manufacturer. It is used for worktops, sinks, windowsills, reception desks, baths and basins.

The main strength is seamless bonding. Sheets are joined with a special adhesive and the joint is sanded, leaving one surface with no visible seams. A worktop of any length, an integrated sink and an upstand look monolithic, and there are no seams where dirt and moisture collect. The material can be thermoformed: heated to roughly 149 °C (as stated for Corian), a sheet can be bent into curved shapes.

Repair. The surface is uniform through its thickness, so small scratches and damage are usually removed by sanding and polishing on site, and the worktop returns to a near-new state. For a kitchen and bathroom, where the surface is used often, this is an important advantage.

Weak points. Acrylic stone is softer than quartz agglomerate: it scratches with a knife and sharp objects, and is more sensitive to heat. Hot pans from the hob go on a trivet only. Stains from aggressive chemicals and dyes can leave marks, but usually come out by sanding. If you like to cut directly on the worktop and put pans straight from the flame, choose quartz or porcelain stoneware instead.

Comparison. Quartz agglomerate is harder and handles daily kitchen use better, but it has seams and cannot be thermoformed. Porcelain stoneware tolerates heat and UV but needs careful edge and joint finishing. Acrylic wins in shape and repair: it is good for flowing lines, bar counters, reception desks, windowsill-desks and monolithic basins.

When to choose it. For complex curved shapes, long worktops without seams, bathrooms, a sink built into the worktop, and public spaces. For the working zone of a kitchen with heavy cooking we more often use quartz. The price depends on the brand and the complexity of the work, and we calculate it after a sample is chosen. In the specification we state brand, décor, thickness and the joint method so the fabricator does not swap the material.