A Fabricator and Installer's Guide to Surfaces Surface Interest

A Fabricator and Installer's Guide to Surfaces

Surface Interest

by Janice Anne Costa

Surfacing can make or break the look - and function - of the kitchen or bath. Choosing the right material for the job & employing proper fabricating techniques can ensure a smoother installation.

When it comes to surfacing materials for the kitchen and bath, there's a mind boggling array of products available today, offering designers a nearly limitless variety of colors, patterns and textures with which to work. Where laminate and solid surfacing once lay nearly sole claim to this market, today's hottest surfaces include not only the old favorites, but a few new ones, as well.

Granite, marble, stainless steel, concrete and tile are all capturing consumer interest, and designers are increasingly looking toward a "mix-and-match" approach to ensure maximum function and aesthetic appeal of all surfaces in the kitchen and bath.
However, whatever the surface you choose to work with, proper installation and fabrication are key to the surface's success, as perception of the product is as much about performance characteristics as appearance.

Solid surfacing and laminate
Solid surfacing encompasses about 13-15% of the kitchen countertop market - about one fourth of the current share held by laminates - according to the International Cast Polymer Association (ICPA), with new products and a greater variety of customer choices making it the fastest growing segment of the surfacing market.

Valued for its beauty, durability, repairability and stain- and heat-resistance properties, it captures the imagination of designers and consumers alike, offering nearly limitless options for colors and designs.

And as fabricator and K&BDN columnist Jim Heaphy notes, solid surface materials also offer countertop fabricators the ability to create a wide variety of decorative edge details, too. "In this regard, solid surface materials are more versatile than other countertop materials, with the possibilities limited only by the imagination of the designer, fabricator or homeowner."

In addition, solid surfacing is non-porous, according to the International Solid Surface Fabricators Association (ISSFA), so it's unaffected by water and changes in humidity, making it perfect for the kitchen or bath. And its non-porous nature makes it resistant to the growth of bacteria and fungi, the ISSFA notes, making it (along with stainless steel) one of the only two surfaces to have received NSF 31 approval for use in food preparation areas.

Perhaps the greatest challenge with solid surfacing comes from the problems fabricating it. In fact, as the solid surfacing industry continues to grow, manufacturers note that the most significant factor limiting market growth is the number of properly skilled fabricators and installers.

New organizations, such as the ISSFA are capable of promoting education and skills training for fabricators, while the ICPA plan to expand its existing fabricator training programs in the near future.

Laminate, solid surfacing's less expensive cousin, provides a cost-effective option for countertops, making it the most widely chosen surface for kitchens, according to the National Kitchen & Bath Association. Its benefits include the wide variety of patterns, colors and finishes available, as well as its low maintenance; downsides include its susceptibility to burning, scratching and chipping, and need for replacement if damaged.

Tile, granite, marble, stainless
Tile offers numerous design options, coming in a wide variety of sizes and shapes, from 3/8" to 2' squares. Shapes may include rectangular, square, round, octagonal, hexagonal, triangular, and endless variations in between, making it ideal for creating uniquely personalized designs.

The Ceramic Tile Distributors Association (CTDA) notes that countertop ceramic tile should have a durable, scratch resistant surface, and should be stain-resistant, as well. Scratch resistance is measured by comparing mineral hardness to glaze and bisque hardness, and is measured on a scale of one to 10 (10 being diamond hardness). Industry standards suggest 6-7 as a good scratch resistance measurement of kitchen counters, according to the CTDA.

The association cautions that "no glazed material will withstand heavy abuse from abrasive surfaces, and one's expectations of the shock-proof qualities of glazed ceramic tiles should match the claims of the manufacturer."

Granite has grown increasingly popular at the high end, particularly in the Northeast and Southeast, according to the NKBA. The benefits to this surface are plentiful: It's beautiful and elegant, it adds a note of luxury to any kitchen, it's highly durable and stain resistant and can be used for baking activities without scratching. In addition, its density and non-porous nature make it a naturally "cool" surface, so it can be used to set hot pots on without scorching.

The major downside to granite is the cost; to make it more affordable for consumers, designers may choose to use it as an accent note. In addition, granite is not an ideal surface for cutting, as it can ruin the knives with its hard surface.

Marble, while less popular than tile or granite, can still add a truly unique appearance to the kitchen, while offering a more subtle appearance than the high gloss of granite.

The major problem with marble is that it tends to be highly susceptible to both scratching and staining. "Marble is a porous material, making stains a nuisance, but it also makes them removable with the right techniques," notes Marble From Greece and the Hellenic Board of Foreign Trade.

Stainless steel is seeing increased momentum, with its sleek, commercial look and high heat resistance. However, the NKBA warns that the surface can be quick to scratch and dent, if not used carefully, and can be expensive.

A relatively uncommon surface, concrete is also gaining consumer interest, the NKBA notes. Its natural looking surface is durable and hard to scratch or stain, but it's still hard to come by, and the cost may be prohibitive for many consumers.