Author Archives: Kathy

8 Things to Consider for a Custom Corian® Vanity Top

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Corian® Vanity TopOrdering a custom Corian® vanity top on SolidSurface.com® can be a very rewarding experience, particularly when you have an understanding of a few important things to consider.  As the centerpiece of a bathroom, the vanity top, along with its vanity cabinet, must not only look stunning, but also:

  • Feel good to the touch with warmth and smoothness;
  • Be usable, forgiving and renewable (when needed);
  • Resist absorption of, or marring by, liquids;
  • Appear seamless for looks and hygiene; and
  • Prevent the growth of bacteria and germs.

Solid surface, commonly known as the brand Corian®, fits this description “like a glove.” Competitive products such as granite, quartz, laminate, cultured marble and tile have some of the above-mentioned characteristics, Continue reading →

Fabricator Spotlight: Creatacor – Fabricating the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall with Avonite® Solid Surface

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Full Display of The Wall That Heals by Creatacor (2018)

Full Display of The Wall That Heals by Creatacor (2018)

Featured Project: The Wall That Heals – Vietnam Veterans Memorial Replica – a Look Behind the Scenes

After nearly 10 years, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund (VVMF) knew it was time to replace the Vietnam Veterans Memorial mobile exhibit of the replica wall, The Wall That Heals. They sent out a request for proposal (RFP) to contractors they thought might be able to handle the project. Creatacor, a full turnkey exhibit display house based in Clifton Park, New York, having completed several smaller projects previously for the VVMF, jumped at the chance to submit their bid and was selected to build the new Wall. Their build included a unique mobile design using Avonite® Eclipse solid surface. The selection process was completed at the end of December of 2017, leaving Creatacor only 7-8 weeks to complete this exciting project.

Creatacor Team for The Wall That Heals

The Creatacor Team

Creatacor, which employs between 50-55 people just 20 minutes north of Albany, New York, is known by many in the display industry for its state-of-the-art custom fabrication techniques. These techniques have resulted in unforgettable exhibits and inline displays in corporate and retail environments, in interactive kiosks and sets for both television and stage. In essence, Creatacor believes in using the talents of their creative, problem-solving team to come up with just the right solution for every unique situation.

Laying the Groundwork for Teamwork

Creatacor received the RFP early in December and immediately began sourcing the materials for a sturdy frame, for the walls and for the actual engraving in anticipation of the possibility of being awarded the contract. Once Creatacor was awarded the project, everyone lit on fire! Dave West was selected as Project Manager, laying Continue reading →

$ave Money Using Overstock, Remnant and Discontinued Solid Surface

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One of many walls of solid surface remnants in the SolidSurface.com warehouse

One of many walls of solid surface remnants in the SolidSurface.com warehouse

How often do you find yourself rummaging through your solid surface remnant inventory for a color the right size for a job that may not require a full sheet? Have you considered using discontinued or overstock material for a job where you can influence the material to be specified? Below are a few resources on where to find some of this budget-friendly material and potentially save quite a bit of money for yourself and/or your customers.

To help illustrate an example of how one might save, let’s say you bought enough sheets of DuPont Corian® Tumbleweed for a new project. The specs changed midstream and you were just 30” short of material to finish the job. Your choices would be to purchase another full sheet, at roughly $700, or find a smaller sheet online for approximately $300 (including shipping)–that would be a savings of $400.

Save on Small and Large Projects

Other ways to save using overstock, remnant and discontinued material might include:

  • Those projects where you need just another few feet of material to finish the job; or
  • Smaller, limited-budget projects, i.e., when the customer wants a 4’ vanity top, your pricing can be more competitive by purchasing a partial sheet, rather than having to include the full sheet cost in your quote; or
  • Large jobs where a color category is specified, but not a specific color, and you can select from overstock, seconds or discontinued colors that are heavily discounted.

Continue reading →

4 Countertop Colors to Coordinate With Pantone’s 2018 Color of the Year, Ultra Violet

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Pantone's Color of the Year - Ultra Violet

Pantone’s Color of the Year – Ultra Violet

The 2018 Pantone color of the year has been revealed, and it is light years away from the 2017 earthy greenery color selection. Instead of focusing on a color representative of things that grow, this year’s color, Ultra Violet, brings to mind the night sky filled with dreams and brilliant stars. Designers are excited about this new jewel-toned color, not typically used in decorating. Perhaps this is what you have been waiting for–permission to move those beautiful purple tones from quiet meditation spots and gathering places into the rest of your home décor.  To help you with that, SolidSurface.com offers some ideas for coordinating that luscious purple with countertop colors for your kitchen or bathroom vanity.

Coordination Concerns

Since not everyone has an eye for decorating or a degree in interior design, you may feel an immediate sense of overwhelm, wondering how in the world you might be able to incorporate this beautiful bold color into your home. Our expertise in kitchen and bath design, coupled with years of experience, might just help you achieve the look you want while using Pantone’s color of the year.

Whites

Redecorating a bathroom is a great way to make a memorable impression.  And this year, you can decorate with Ultra Violet. Some may choose to install a stunning shower wall using Ultra Violet glazed tiles and shiny new Continue reading →

New DIY Countertop Source – A Great Option for DIY Warriors

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Custom Corian Sink

Taking customization to the extreme, this delightful sink is a fantastic example of the versatile nature of solid surface. After this sink was cut to the unique shape it was then thermoformed into a sink bowl. (photo courtesy Dupont Corian)

SolidSurface.com is changing the game for DIY enthusiasts who love to roll up their sleeves and work on a new renovation project. When projects are done well, they bring complete satisfaction and often come with significant cost savings. Replacing countertops in a home as part of a renovation project is one step that yields a large amount of appeal to the home without taking up too much time or energy. DIY enthusiasts know just how satisfying it is to get home improvement work accomplished. Those who love the process of renovation, and are always thinking of the next project, should take time to look at some simple projects and learn why the versatility of solid surface material, such as Dupont™ Corian® should be on the top of the reno list.

Why Solid Surface Is a Great Choice

The term “solid surface,” most commonly known as the brand Corian®, is used to describe a man-made building material that combines resin and pigment with a powder made of aluminum trihydrate (ATH). One might picture ATH as the cement that makes up a large portion of the material. These fairly simple ingredients come together to make a product that has a great many selling points, including: Continue reading →