Is Solid Surface Material Good for Washbasins?

If you’re thinking of choosing solid surface material for your new luxury bathroom basin, you’ll be keen to know if it’s going to look good, perform well and stand the test of time. After all, the bathroom sink is one of the most frequently used fixtures in the whole house. So, it’s got to be of the highest quality.

The good news is that solid surface basins are among the best on the market. Priced right around the high-mid range, they bring an instant sense of luxuriousness to the home but are also more affordable than their marble and solid stone counterparts.

Tango Solid Surface Wall Mounted Washbasin - 1 alcove - 90cm, from Riluxa.com

What is a solid surface basin? 

Solid surface is a type of material made from bauxite resin that’s completely nonporous. So a bathroom sink made from it will be 100% impervious to water.

When you continually use them to wash, basins made from marble may become stained if they’re not properly taken care of, because they’re porous and can let water in. By contrast, water will roll off a solid surface washbasin and never get through. Making it perfect for a wet environment like the bathroom.

Smoky Transparent Resin Countertop Washbasin from Riluxa.com

What is the difference between ceramic and resin basins?

Unlike ceramic basins, solid surface basins are not brittle because they are composited with an acrylic or polyester resin that helps the material to bond thoroughly. This means, if they become scratched, you can easily buff or lightly sand away the scratches to keep them looking brand new for years.

The other thing about solid surface basins, if you’re still weighing up the pros and cons, is that they are more hygienic than their ceramic alternatives, as a result of being nonporous, but also because they don’t have any seams. Dirt and germs cannot slip between the cracks of your washbasin and the adjoining wall, because there are no cracks.

Toronto Corian® Countertop Washbasin, from Riluxa.com

Who makes solid surface basins? 

If you’re wondering, ‘is solid surface a brand?’ well, no. But you’ll probably know some of the brands who make it as they’re world-famous. The original solid surface material was developed by Corian® in the late 1960s, which is turned into washbasins and other bathroom products by companies like Galfia.

In the 1990s, other companies started to manufacture solid surface products when the Corian® patent expired. So, you’ll now find a wide range of solid surface washbasins made by Krion™ (the Porcelanosa® brand), Avonite Surfaces®, Formica®, Keuco and many more well-known brands.

Which is the best solid surface brand? The truth is that the standard is pretty consistent from one brand to another. The biggest differences will be in terms of design specifications. When in doubt, choose the washbasin that best matches your taste and style.

Alabama Corian® Colour Wall Mounted Double Washbasin, from Riluxa.com

Do solid surface basins come in different colours?

One of the most impressive things about the range of solid surface washbasins on the market is that the colour palette is virtually limitless.

You might think that, because solid surface has a high bauxite content, which is rich in aluminium, that it will have a particular stone-like look. The truth is, solid surface sinks can be manufactured in all kinds of colours—whether colours and textures drawn from nature or bright, primary colours that have a really striking effect.

You only need to look at the Corian® range of colours on the market for evidence of that. You’ll see solid surface bathroom sinks that looks like wood, cocoa, stone and even the night sky.

Dusk Solid Surface Freestanding Washbasin - Black, from Riluxa.com

Can you get freestanding solid surface washbasins?

There are all kinds of solid surface basins on the market, available in all kinds of designs—some influenced by past interior design styles, others in more contemporary styles, such as the ever-popular minimalist style. And, yes, that includes freestanding basins, pedestal basins and wall-mounted washbasins.

If you speak to a producer of artisanal bathroom furniture, you could even be able to design your own solid surface washbasin to your own specifications, though there are also lots of off-the-shelf designs widely available.

Do solid surface basins last longer?

Solid surface washbasins are a great long-term choice for your new bathroom. Corian®, for example, comes with a 10-year guarantee, so confident are the manufacturers of its durability as a material.

You can also repair and renew solid surface basins really easily, because the material can be buffed, polished and even glued with invisible, seamless glue. So it’s also a great choice in terms of sustainability.

Looking for something else to read? Check out 8 Simple Questions to Help Find the Right Washbasin.

Main image: Bloom Solid Surface Wall Mounted Washbasin from Riluxa.com