Sanitary ware made of solid surface: what is it and what are the differences?
By Danny Brouwers, production manager at B DUTCH and as such also responsible for producing solid surface sanitary products.
In modern designer bathrooms and other washrooms, we have seen many elements of solid surface in recent years. The matte white look is beautiful and the material offers many advantages. But beware, solid surface is just an umbrella name, there are many types and therefore quality differences on the market.
Individuals are quick to talk about plastic. However, most plastic sinks, bathtubs and bathroom furniture are made with the raw material polyester, another type of plastic or an acrylic with less than 75% mineral content. This material is a lot cheaper, but fades/discolors within the foreseeable future. When purchased, the product has a nice white color, after a few months the product begins to turn yellow. Also, plastic bathroom products often have unsanitary seams.
Top brands of solid surface
A number of manufacturers have specialized in producing top quality solid surface with arcyl with more than 75% mineral dust as a base. These manufacturers allow plumbing manufacturers such as B DUTCH to make very high-quality plumbing products. Because processing solid surface requires a unique and complicated technique, few parties have mastered this process. This is why the top manufacturers only work with trained and registered processors. These certified processors guarantee knowledge and expertise, have attended the latest training courses and can process and assemble complex designs.
Corian and Hi-Macs are the most well-known quality brands of solid surface. B DUTCH in Cuijk certified processor of Corian and Hi-Macs. For example, all B DUTCH sinks are made of Corian.
A good solid surface, such as the Corian brand and the Hi-Macs brand, consists of at least 75% acrylic mineral dust. Through special processing, this binds into a remarkably aesthetic and low-maintenance material. Because the material has the property of being thermally deformable, almost any shape can be made without seeing seams, of course only if you have mastered all the techniques for this. Then, in theory, you can connect endlessly, a property that no other material has. Therefore, this material will continue to conquer the world and define our interiors in the coming years.
Hi-Macs and Corian are super durable, the raw material is also a lot more expensive. Our products do not yellow and are made seamlessly. This is not only hygienic, but also very easy to keep clean.
All B DUTCH solid surface products resist most of the scratches and impacts that occur with everyday use. However, there are a few things the user does need to consider:
Do not use hot water:
When pouring hot liquids (> 65 degrees) into a sink or bathtub, you should run cold water at the same time. The material may be damaged if you pour a hot liquid directly on the material without running the cold tap at the same time. So never run hot water or other hot liquids into your product. Solid surface cannot withstand that.
Hot objects:
Pans or pots hot off the stove or out of the oven should not be placed directly on a solid-surface surface. This is equivalent to a wooden top.
Sharp objects:
B DUTCH solid surface products withstand the stresses of normal, everyday use. But be careful with pointed and sharp objects. These can leave cuts or scratches on the solid surface. This is also equivalent to a wooden top.
Do not use metal scrapers, wire brushes or other household tools to remove stains, paint, putty or other substances.
Never cut directly on solid surface surfaces.
Strong chemicals:
Avoid spilling strong chemicals – for example, paint strippers, oven cleaners, acidic drain unblockers, acetone-based nail polish removers, etc. – on the surface.
Do not clean with harsh chemicals, such as acetone, oven cleaners, thinners, strong acids (hydrochloric acid, etc) or strong bases (caustic soda, etc), or industrial cleaning products or paint thinners.
Grease and oil residue in the sink:
Remove all grease and oil residues left in the sink with a suitable cleaning agent. If necessary, use a soft scouring pad or sponge, combined with a slightly abrasive product. Use a spray with ¾ household liquid bleach and ¼ water to spray the sink and leave for a few hours or overnight. Expose your sink to this mixture for a maximum of 16 hours. Rinse and clean with a damp cloth. Your sink will be beautifully clean again without much effort.
Maintenance solid surface products
All B DUTCH solid surface products are extremely dirt-resistant and very easy inn maintenance.
The following simple and helpful maintenance guidelines will help you enjoy the excellent quality of your B DUTCH product(s) for many years to come.
Daily dirt:
All B DUTCH solid surface products are made of perfectly homogeneous materials. Since the material has no pores, you can effortlessly clean it with a damp cloth, a sponge and with a mild (all-purpose) cleaner. Do not use sandpaper!!!
For daily cleaning, use soapy water or a common detergent. Remove excess detergent with a soft cloth. Rinse the surface with warm water and dry with a soft cloth. If necessary, use a microfiber cloth and rub the surface with an ammonia-based cleaner, then rinse with water. This procedure removes most of the dirt and residue. Always clean in a circular motion, front to back, and left to right, with overlapping circles until the entire surface is clean.
For all white matte-finished surfaces except Mineral Matt and high-gloss products, you can even simply use a commercially available abrasive (CIF). To maintain an even appearance, it is best to use an abrasive (CIF) or wet sponge from time to time. Always rub with circular motions. Rinse the cleaned surface well, this will preserve the original matte finish.
Keep in mind that limestone can form if you allow water to dry on the surface. To avoid this, it is important to wipe the worktop completely dry with a microfiber cloth after spills or cleaning. Certain colors may require more frequent cleaning to maintain an even appearance.
Like all materials, B DUTCH solid surface products will show light wear with normal daily use. Dark, highly pigmented colors will more easily show more scratches, dust and normal wear than lighter, textured colors and require more attention than lighter colors. Proper maintenance can keep your product looking like new, but even with proper care, your product will acquire a patina over time, changing the appearance of the finish somewhat. If necessary, the appearance of the original solid surface finish can be restored by B DUTCH.
Certain substances, such as inks, cosmetics and dyes, can give off color after prolonged contact with the surface. These can all be removed by following the special directions for stubborn stains.
Stubborn dirt:
More intensive treatment may be necessary for stubborn stains. To do so, download the recommendations from B DUTCH: B DUTCH use and maintenance instructions Solid Surface.