Often, it can be hard to distinguish one from the other.
From a distance, both look remarkably similar.
Solid surface’s main appeal is that it is easy to fabricate and can create invisibly seamed countertops.
The Spruce / Kevin Norris
Laminate, by contrast, is layered.
If the top layer of laminate fails, the entire countertop fails.
For many people, the look ofslab granite for a countertopsimply cannot be duplicated.
The Spruce
If that describes you, then you may wish to look for natural stone countertops.
These engineered stone products consist of about 95-percent ground natural quartz and other materials with 5-percent binding resins.
Both are aggregates of polymers and minerals.
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If a purely natural product is important to you, thennatural stoneslabs are your only option.
A bauxite derivative, aluminium trihydrate (ATH), is the most common mineral.
But if you’re imagining something like that looks like granite particles, this is not it.
The Spruce / Kevin Norris
ATH is a fine, white powder, much like baking soda.
The many different colors and styles are achieved by different mixtures of pigments and mineral dust.
Quartz Countertops
Quartz countertopsinclude 5- to 10-percent binding resins, either polymeric or cement-based.
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Some companies have even begun to use nonfood-quality vegetable oils as one ingredient in the resins.
Do-it-yourselfers who manage to purchase the materials can be successful with solid surface materials.
Quartz, on the other hand, requires special tools that most do-it-yourselfers do not have.
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Even if you could obtain the sheets, it would be difficult to work with them.
One option for homeowner installation is incidental pieces, such as ready-made,one-piece vanity unit tops.
In practice, though, solid surface countertops rarely give in to heat.
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Quartz countertops have a higher heat resistance than solid surface materials.
In theory, quartz countertops could catch fire if subjected to high enough temperatures.
But such temperatures are almost impossible to achieve in a kitchen environment.
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On long, straight runs, it’s preferable to use long pieces of either material to avoid seaming.
With quartz countertops, seams are covered and visible but not highly visible.
The degree of seam visibility in quartz counters equals that of solid surface counters.
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Scratch Resistance
Cutting on solid surface countertops is not recommended.
It is guaranteed that if you cut on solid surface materials, scratches will result.
Solid surface countertop material, no matter the brand, is relatively soft.
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The good news is that solid surface materials can be easily sanded and buffed smooth again.
It’s also a procedure that homeowners can easily do by themselves.
Quartz countertops tend to be more scratch resistant than solid surface materials.
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The key word isresistant.
Quartz countertops are considered to be scratch resistant but not scratch-proof.
But this buffing is not as effective as sanding solid surface with a fine-grit sandpaper.
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It’s only good for hairline scratches.
Deeper scratches will need to be addressed by a countertop technician.
Porous stone requires sealing before the first use and periodically thereafter.
But solid surface and quartz countertops are both considered to be non-porous surfaces.
Sealing is never required.
The amount of resins in the mixes ensures non-porosity.
Cost
Prices of solid surface and quartz countertops are virtually the same.
Theprices varydepending on the style and color of the material selected.
Prices are difficult to compare because it is difficult to purchase the source materials alone.
Most suppliers will sell only to licensed fabricators or contractors.
Should You Buy Solid Surface or Quartz Counters?
If you want acontemporarylook, then solid surface is the way to go.
Quartz countertops are highly valued by homebuyers, so they return good resale value, as well.
SolidSurface.com
Quartz Countertops Cost Guide.
Caesarstone
DuPont Corian Performance Properties.
