Composite · Material guide
Get quotes for custom solid surface parts
Solid surface is a non-porous acrylic or polyester composite that fabricates into seamless countertops, sinks, and cladding, and it can be thermoformed into curves and repaired by sanding. Upload your drawing and we'll source competitive quotes from qualified manufacturing partners.
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Grades
Solid surface types shops run most
Solid surface is specified by resin type and thickness. These are the choices you will make when you order.
Acrylic solid surface
The premium type (Corian-style): fully thermoformable into tight curves, seamless, and repairable. The default for high-end counters and sinks.
Best for Countertops, integrated sinks, curved cladding
Polyester solid surface
A lower-cost resin with brighter color options and good hardness, but more brittle and less thermoformable than acrylic.
Best for Budget counters, vertical surfaces, color-critical work
Acrylic-polyester blend
A blend that balances cost against thermoformability and durability, common in mid-range product lines.
Best for General countertop and surfacing work
6 mm vs 12 mm sheet
Thin 6 mm sheet is used for cladding and vertical surfaces and built up at edges; 12 mm is the standard for horizontal countertops.
Best for 6 mm: walls and cladding. 12 mm: countertops
Specs
Material properties
Representative values for acrylic solid surface. Exact numbers vary by brand and resin.
| Property | Typical value |
|---|---|
| Density | ~1.7 g/cm³ |
| Porosity | Non-porous; no sealing needed, hygienic |
| Max service temp | ~90 °C (195 °F); use trivets for hot pots |
| Thermoformability | Acrylic grades bend into curves when heated |
| Repairability | Scratches and burns sand out; renewable surface |
| Seaming | Chemically bonded into inconspicuous seamless joints |
| Machinability | Excellent; routes and cuts with woodworking tooling |
| Stain resistance | High; non-porous surface resists most staining |
Solid surface is renewable and seamless, its two signature advantages over stone: scratches sand out and joints disappear.
Stock
Forms we machine it from
Sheet & slab
Routed, cut, and seamed into counters, sinks, and cladding.
Processes
Manufacturing methods for solid surface
The right process depends on part geometry, tolerances, and production volume.
Finishing
Finishes for solid surface
Solid surface finish is a surface texture, not a coating, and it can be changed after fabrication.
Matte / satin
The standard hygienic finish; hides scratches and is easy to maintain and renew.
Semi-gloss
A brighter surface for a more polished look, which shows wear sooner and is renewable by sanding.
High gloss
A polished finish for feature surfaces; higher maintenance and best on vertical or low-traffic areas.
Seamless bonding
Sheets and edge build-ups are chemically bonded and sanded flush into inconspicuous seams.
The finish level can be adjusted on site by sanding, and burns or scratches are repaired the same way. Call out the finish and edge profile on your drawing.
Applications
Where solid surface parts are used
Solid surface is used wherever a seamless, hygienic, repairable surface matters.
Compare
Solid Surface vs other materials
How solid surface compares to the stone surfaces fabricators quote.
Solid Surface vs Quartz
Quartz →- Quartz is far harder, more scratch- and heat-resistant, and needs no renewing
- Solid surface is seamless, thermoformable, warmer to the touch, and repairable by sanding
- Quartz seams are visible; solid surface joins are invisible
Choose solid surface for seamless, curved, repairable surfaces and integrated sinks. Choose quartz for maximum hardness and heat resistance.
Solid Surface vs Granite
Granite →- Granite is a natural stone: harder, heat-resistant, and unique in pattern, but porous and needing sealing
- Solid surface is non-porous, seamless, and consistent in color, and never needs sealing
- Granite has visible seams and cannot be thermoformed or sanded to renew
Choose solid surface for seamless, hygienic, consistent surfaces. Choose granite for natural stone character and heat resistance.
Questions
Frequently asked questions
Solid surface is a composite of acrylic or polyester resin filled with mineral (usually alumina trihydrate) and pigment, cast into sheets. Corian is the best-known brand. It is non-porous all the way through, so it can be sanded, seamed invisibly, and thermoformed, unlike stone or laminate.
Get solid surface quotes
Upload your drawing and we'll source competitive quotes from qualified manufacturing partners that cut, route, thermoform, and seam solid surface.
STEP · STL · IGES · DWG · DXF · PDF · and more
Uploads are secure & confidential