Acrylic solid surface: what it is, and where it suits
Acrylic solid surface is a sheet material made of acrylic resin and mineral fillers. Pieces can be joined and shaped so a counter, vanity or desk looks like one continuous piece. Nakoda Creations is the only pan-India distributor of Tristone, from Lion Chemtech Co., Ltd., South Korea.
What it is
Acrylic solid surface blends acrylic resin with mineral fillers and pigments. The colour runs through the sheet rather than sitting on top, and pieces can be joined so the seam is hard to see. It can also be shaped, which is why it turns up on curved reception desks and integrated basins.
At Inlife the range is shown in 6 mm and 12 mm sheets, in solid colours, fine speckles and granite-look chips. Some shades come in 12 mm only.
How it differs from laminate and stone
A laminate is a printed decorative layer pressed onto a board. Solid surface is the same material all the way through, so an edge, a cut-out or a routed groove shows the same colour as the face.
Natural stone is cut from a block, and its slabs are joined where they meet. Solid surface can be cut, routed and thermoformed into curves, and joins can be made so they are hard to spot. It feels different in the hand too. The surface is smooth with a satin sheen, and it is not cold under your palm the way polished stone or glass is.
Sheet sizes and thickness
The 6 mm sheet is 2500 × 760 mm, about 20.45 sq ft. The 12 mm sheet is 3680 × 760 mm, about 30 sq ft. Some shades are made in 12 mm only.
- 12 mm is the usual choice for kitchen counters, vanity tops, desks and bar tops.
- 6 mm suits wall designs, cladding and other vertical surfaces.
Long sheets help on long runs, such as an island or a reception counter, because fewer joins are needed.
Where it suits
Kitchens. Counters and backsplashes that run without a visible joint, including around a sink.
Bathrooms. Vanities and wash basins shaped as one piece with the top.
Reception and retail. Desks, bar tops, display counters and tabletops, including curved forms.
Healthcare and offices. Nurse stations, laboratory counters, work counters and service desks.
Walls and partitions. Wall cladding and partitions in large panels, with no grout lines.
Furniture and displays. Tables, shelving, temple tables, display plinths and shop signage, where a smooth, continuous surface is the point.
The colour range
- Whites. Pure White, Snow Pearl and soft off-whites, for an all-white counter with nothing breaking it up.
- Warm neutrals. Creams and sands such as Beige Cream, Irish Cream and Beige Sands.
- Greys. From pale Fog to Metal Grey and Grey Ash.
- Deep tones. Espresso, Night Sky, Dark Cave and Onyx.
- Bold colours. Mango, Sunset, Aquamarine and Emerald Sherbet, for counters and furniture that should be noticed.
Within these tones the surface may be plain, finely speckled or patterned with larger granite-look chips.
Designing with solid surface
Make use of the fact that it bends and joins. An island can turn down at the end into a waterfall side. A basin can be formed out of the vanity top, and a reception desk can follow a curve on plan. Stone and laminate cannot be worked this way.
Lighter shades can be lit from behind, which is often done on bar fronts and reception desks. Ask to see backlit samples at the showroom.
Choosing a colour
Plain colours give the simplest look. Fine speckles break up the surface a little and sit well beside stone and wood. Granite-look chips suit counters that sit next to natural stone. View the shades as large pieces, not small chips, because a speckle looks different across a full counter than on a small chip. Bring a laminate or tile you have already chosen and compare it against the sheets at the showroom.
Questions people ask
What thicknesses does Inlife show?
Acrylic solid surface is shown in 6 mm and 12 mm. Some shades are available in 12 mm only.
Which brand of acrylic solid surface does Inlife carry?
Nakoda Creations is the only pan-India distributor of Tristone, from Lion Chemtech Co., Ltd., South Korea.
Can acrylic solid surface be curved?
Yes, it can be shaped, which is why it is chosen for curved desks, counters and integrated basins.
What is acrylic solid surface made of?
Acrylic resin blended with mineral fillers and pigments. The colour runs through the full thickness of the sheet.
What size are the sheets?
2500 × 760 mm at 6 mm, about 20.45 sq ft, and 3680 × 760 mm at 12 mm, about 30 sq ft.
Which thickness suits a kitchen counter?
The 12 mm sheet is the usual choice for counters, vanity tops and desks. The 6 mm sheet suits walls and other vertical surfaces.
Is acrylic solid surface the same as an acrylic sheet?
No. Acrylic sheets for shutters are about 1.3 mm thick and face a board. Solid surface is a thick sheet that forms the counter or desk itself.