History of Solid Surface
Solid Surface was conceived in 1963 by a group of engineers and researchers from the DuPont™ Chemical Company. The recognized father of Solid Surface is Don Slocum whose idea was to create a material that would be totally solid all the way through, with a consistency of color, pattern and void of air bubbles. The surface had to be non-porous as well as stain, chemical and fire resistant. Fabrication of the material into a usable working surface had to be accomplished with standard woodworking tools. He also wanted a surface hard enough to function as a work surface but at the same time easily repairable. Finally, it should have a rich and pleasing 'look' to it.

Along with Don’s idea and a lot of hard work, DuPont™ produced its first sheets or Solid Surface in 1964. They called it Corian® . The company’s first installation of Corian® counter tops was completed in 1965 with the original patent for Solid Surface issued October 8, 1968.

Growth of the Solid Surface Industry
"Solid Surface" has become the generic term for a group of materials that for many years was primarily used for making countertops. However, because of the unique qualities of Solid Surface, it is now being fabricated into shower pans, shower and tub walls, floor tiles, tabletops, cutting boards, cabinet pulls and knobs, cutlery handles and many other products including artistic sculptures. The versatility of Solid Surface material makes it ideal for both custom designing as well as solving "problem" situations.

Currently, there are approximately eight to ten major corporations and 30 or more minor companies producing thousands of different types of Solid Surface materials. In much the same way that Kleenex is used to describe tissue, the name Corian® has been used to describe Solid Surface materials. However, due to the phenomenal growth of this industry over the last few years, this is changing rapidly. The companies are achieving their own identity through strong marketing campaigns and product sales. A few examples of the product names in the Solid Surface industry are Avonite® , Corian® , Formica Solid Surfacing, Fountain Head® , Gibraltar® , SSV®, Surell®, and Hi-Macs® and Staron®. The list goes on and on with each product surface having a wide variety of colors, textures and finishes.

Each of the Solid Surface manufacturers use a different combination of chemicals to produce their products. However, the recipe for most Solid Surface materials relies on two main ingredients, natural mineral filler and a resin binder. Various additives are mixed in to give the finished product certain desirable characteristics that are unique to the manufacturer. The mixture is cast in a mold and cured in a process that results in a sheet of Solid Surface. The sheets are then sized so that the finished material is easy to transport to the fabricators and installers.

Why Solid Surface?
Solid Surface vs. Granite:

• Enjoy the rich look and luster of stone with the added advantages of repairability and easy maintenance.
• Even the largest countertops can be installed with virtually no seams!
• Nonporous material requires no sealing.
• In most cases, Solid Surface is less expensive than Granite.
• 10-year manufacturer factory warranty on material and installation.
• Solid Surface material can be manipulated into endless shapes and sizes.