Not all solid-surface countertops are made with the same ingredients. They typically are categorized as being either acrylic or polyester solid-surface materials, depending on the predominant ingredients. Easy to fabricate and care for, solid-surface countertops are still an excellent choice for many applications—more durable and attractive than most laminates and considerably less expensive than natural or composite stone. With polyester or acrylic solid surface materials, each type has some advantages and disadvantages. Polyester solid surface is high-gloss yet fairly brittle. Acrylic solid surface has more of a flat, matte texture and is relatively durable. Most solid-surface manufacturers do not make the resin content obvious. You will need to search the technical specifications to learn if a particular manufacturer’s solid-surface material is based on acrylic or polyester. Major solid surface brand Avonite notes: “Solid surface scratches…because the items that are deposited on it are harder than it is.” Then again, this idea applies to any kind of countertop material, not just solid-surface. And solid-surface material can usually be repaired by wet sanding, unlike most other materials. Using the Barcol indentation test, polyester and acrylic exhibit some differences in their susceptibility to scratches, though the distinction is so minor that they are functionally insignificant. Both polyester and acrylic solid-surface materials stand up equally well to boiling water (212 degrees Fahrenheit), a minimum standard for residential kitchen counters. Acrylic solid surfaces are less brittle and therefore less susceptible to chipping and cracking during fabrication. Professionals like the fact that acrylic surfaces form very tight, secure seams that rarely fail. The better performance—and the large number of manufacturers offering acrylics—is the reason most builders lean toward acrylic countertops. Polyester solid-surface countertops are preferable where a deep, translucent finish is required, or where you need a countertop that is resistant to solvents such as nail polish remover or acetone.
