Tag Archives: Corian

Introducing the New SolidSurface.com Experience

Check it out!  SolidSurface.com launched a new website! One of the primary goals of the new site was to enhance the overall experience for visitors searching for solid surface sheet material and related products. To further our goal of an improved customer experience, we’re also very excited to announce our new interactive custom bathroom vanity top designer. The look and feel of the new website might be different, yet it boasts all the same great products.  Explore the many new features to enrich your shopping and educational experience!  

SolidSurface.com Website Homepage

Since there is so much to explore, we thought it would be helpful to highlight some of the most important, time-saving enhancements, such as:

  • The new experience of sheet material;
  • Intelligent material recommendations;
  • A visual custom vanity top design tool;
  • Smart search capabilities; and
  • Advanced account tools for business customers – coming soon.

There is something for everyone on this site, whether you are a DIY homeowner, a designer, or professional contractor or remodeler.

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The Shift–From Old to Renewable with Corian® Solid Surface Exterior Wall Cladding

Fitting in isn’t always easy and poses a significant challenge when trying to literally strike a balance between historic buildings and new construction. Axel Schoenert Architectes (ASA) architectural studio has accomplished that using Corian® Exteriors solid surface customized panels in its renovation of the “Shift,” a Parisian office compound housing co-working spaces.

The project involved three buildings in the heart of the Saint-Lazare railway station district at 54 rue de Londres in Paris, France. The challenge of the undertaking was to transform three buildings from the 1930’s, the 1840’s and the 19th century to provide balanced symmetry and identity in the urban setting while at the same time providing sustainability.

Dynamic District Location

Ideally positioned in the heart of the dynamic district of the Saint-Lazare railway station, the office complex has been entirely restyled and renovated to make it modern, innovative and functional, while importantly respecting its urban environment and its history.

The Shift building in Paris, France, featuring a facade made of Corian® Exteriors panels based on Corian® Solid Surface in Glacier White colour; photo courtesy of Axel Schoenert Architectes, all rights reserved.
The Shift building in Paris, France, featuring a facade made of Corian® Exteriors panels based on Corian® Solid Surface in Glacier White colour; photo courtesy of Axel Schoenert Architectes, all rights reserved.

A Balanced Approach

ASA studio used a different approach for each of the three buildings that led to the creation of one new construction and a major renovation and restructuration of two historic buildings.

The main challenge was to give the spaces a balanced symmetry, that was fragmented due to a succession of different architectural and historical sequences, and to provide a strong overall identity, especially for the façade on rue de Londres.

By creating a sculpted 3D appearance, ASA studio wanted to add value and give new life to the imposing façade on rue de Londres. The idea was to use a geometric patterned cladding resembling an Origami, the Japanese art of folding paper.

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How to Clean and Refinish Corian® and Other Brands of Solid Surface Countertops

Corian® Sonora - matte finish

Image 1: Corian® Sonora in a matte finish

With the holidays right around the corner, you’re probably thinking about cleaning and getting the house in order before all the guests arrive. Two questions that come up quite often at this time of year are:

  • What is the best way to clean and refinish my Corian® [solid surface] countertop?
  • How can I remove stains from my solid surface countertop?

Whether you have Corian®, Avonite Surfaces®, LG HI-MACS®, Staron®, Mystera®, or any other type of solid surface countertop, the basics are the same since they are all made of acrylic-based resin material and fillers (except Aristech®’s STUDIO Collection® which is a more translucent resin).

Consider the Finish and the Color

Consideration of color is important when it comes to the use patterns and the way stains and blemishes are approached because darker colors show use more than lighter colors.

Before using any type of cleaner or performing any repairs on your solid surface countertop, consider the degree of shine on the finish and the color of the solid surface. The degree of shine on the solid surface finish is achieved by using increasingly finer grits of sanding abrasives. For a glossy shine, after using the fine abrasives, polishing with a buffing pad and polishing compound is the final step of the process. We mention this to assure you that what we discuss below is in keeping with the way the finish was originally applied to your countertops.

Examples of Shine

Examples of shine can be seen in the images of this article. Image 1 is done in a flat/matte finish where none of the objects on the countertop have a reflection. Image 2 has a satin finish denoted by the “not so distinct” reflection cast by the objects on the countertop. Image 3 presents a semi-gloss finish with a moderately distinct reflection. Image 4 shows a gloss finish where the reflections of the objects are distinct.

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8 Things to Consider for a Custom Corian® Vanity Top

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

Corian® Solid Surface for DIYers

Oh the Things We Can Do!

For all you DIYers out there whose springtime juices are flowing, here are some things you probably didn’t know you could do with acrylic solid surface material such as Corian®, Avonite®, LG Hi-Macs® and many other brands. Simple woodworking tools are all you need to get started.

What is Corian® (a/k/a Solid Surface)?

Solid surface is a manufactured material most commonly used for seamless countertop installations. It is frequently referred to as Corian®, a product developed by DuPont™ in 1964.

Corian solid surface bathroom vanity tops look like marble.

It can be readily cut, routed and sanded like wood and formed into countertops, shower walls, external cladding for buildings, signage, and furniture where non-porosity and infrequent maintenance are highly valued.  These are just a few of the man applications.

Solid surface is made of acrylic resin, polyester resin or a combination of the two that is then combined with filler, color pigments, and acrylic chips. This composition is most frequently extruded or poured as ½” thick sheets that are 30” x 144” and are the same color throughout their thickness.

In addition to being workable like hardwood, it can be heated and thermoformed into curved and molded shapes. It can also be printed on, using dye-sublimation techniques that deposit the ink just below the surface so the image becomes permanent.

What can be done with it?

Thermoform It

Thermoforming (the process of heating and shaping synthetic material) is an increasingly popular way to utilize solid surface to create 3D curves and rounded shapes. This is a realm Continue reading