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Hailed as the first of its kind, Corian is the brand name for a top-of-the-line solid surface countertop material developed by DuPont scientists back in 1967. Today, there are several brands in the market based on the original Corian countertops development, including Samsung’s Staron and LG’s HI-MACS. These different brands differ mainly in the designs that they come in, which presents a myriad of beautiful designs for customers to choose from (with Samsung Staron coming in patterns interspersed with metallic dust). What makes Solid Surface Countertops special? Solid surface countertops are composite of synthetic polymers (acrylic and polyester) and alumina trihydroxide (ATH). The combination of flexible polymer and the fire retardant and chemically-resistant alumina trihydroxide layer also create a non-porous layer that is resistant to stains and bacterial growth. The particulates of alumina trihydroxides are also very fine, which lends to the smoothness of its colours. They are also fairly heat resistant (100°C) and are chemically inert (i.e. resists acid etching). Left: Corian designs; Right: Samsung designs, notable for its metallic series. Solid surface countertops are made from highly formable and repairable materials. Another important advantage of solid surface materials is in how workable the material is. Corian-based solid surface materials can be sanded and polished without ruining the surface. Joints can be polished down to make seams disappear and cuts and scratches easily repaired with nothing more than a Scotch-Brite pad, or a mechanical sander. But perhaps solid surface’s most attractive characteristic, from a design and manufacturing perspective is that Corian solid surface countertop materials are thermoformable. Thermoforming is the process of heating up a material to a sufficient degree as to make it malleable and stretchable, which can then be formed into a wide variety of shapes. Thermoforming involves less complex fabrication tools, which make the process marginally cheaper than, say, injection molding. In addition to lower costs, thermoforming allows for much larger parts to be produced, which is useful for countertops. Also, you’ll be glad to know that thermoforming manufacturers reuse most of their waste plastic, which is good for the environment (and cost!). Solid Surface Countertops are safe. To ensure that their products are safe around people, solid surface countertop manufacturers like Corian adhere to strict production guidelines. Controlling the emissions of toxic volatile organic compounds (VOCs) is important because, as its name suggests, can vaporize and mix into the air that we breath. Heavy metals are also not used in solid surface countertops, either, again for health reasons. However, proper precautions should still be taken that care is taken when working around solid surfaces. Trivets and pads should always be used when placing hot objects on solid surfaces, as extreme heat would not only cause damage, but also burn and eject toxic fumes into the air. Check out our inventory for the best solid surface countertops in Singapore today and get in touch with our friendly customer service staff! We carry Corian DuPont, Samsung Staron and many other great brands! - See more at: http://www.stoneamperor.com.sg/solid-surface-countertops-singapore/

Choosing a countertop for your kitchen can be a tough decision as we all want the best that time and money can buy. As a result, long drawn-out discussions often ensue as customers try to decide to give in to their aesthetic desires over rational. What surprises us most is that the reason that often holds customers back is when they are presented a selection of kitchen top edge profiles to choose from. Their response are often along the lines of, “Let me think about it over the weekend…” Choosing Kitchen Top Edge Profiles – Not Simply a Cosmetic Choice. While ultimately the choice boils down to aesthetic preferences – there are a few key differences, advantages and disadvantages – that different edge profiles present. Aside from aesthetics, each style is unique in how it handles spills, safety and ease of maintenance. Let’s have a look at a few edge profiles and their fundamental differences: Types of Kitchen Top Edge Profiles: Kitchen top edge profiles fornatural stone countertopsand Quartz countertops. 1. Standard Flat Polish – Favoured for the thick-look that it gives, flat polishing is a popular choice. The flat edge helps hold liquids from spilling over and does not contain any nooks and crannies that might be difficult to clean. However, its sharp angles can present a safety hazard. The birdmouth, chamfer and miter cut share this issue, with the latter having the additional hazard of objects sliding off its sloped edge. Flat Polish edges are also more affordable on average in terms of pricing. 2. Bullnose – Probably the most popular type of edge for its pragmatism, the bullnose features a completely rounded edge all around the top and bottom of the edge. This makes it ideal if safety is a concern while the smaller angle in which these edges helps it from breaking or chipping when impacted with something hard. The smooth, rounded edges are also easier to clean. Bullnose edges are usually the most inexpensive to put on, too, making it a good choice. However, many find the bullnose edge very boring (and we agree!). 3. Groove Cutting – Groove cuts (also called drainboards or runnels) are made near the edges of countertops. Its purpose is purely utilitarian – to drain spilled liquids before they go over the edge. This makes groove cutting especially useful where water is found, namely sinks or anywhere where water is likely to be handled. 4. Lipping/OG Edge – Favoured for the incredibly sophisticated looks they can accomplish, Lipping and Ogee (OG) edges have most of the same pros and cons as the flat polish and bullnose designs respectively. However, the extra surface also means that cleaning it can be slightly more of a chore, but if you ask us we think it’s a small price to pay for perfection. And there we have it! Hopefully if you’re ever given a choice of kitchen top edge profiles to choose from you’d be able to make a more informed decision. Happy countertop hunting! Looking for a Kitchen Top in Singapore? Contact Stone Amperor for natural stone countertop options, solid surfaces and Quartz! - See more at: http://www.stoneamperor.com.sg/kitchen-top-singapore-choose-right-edge-profile/