Solid Surface for Creative DIY’ers

Oh, the Things You Can Do!

For all you DIY’ers out there whose springtime juices are flowing, here are some things you probably didn’t know you could do with acrylic solid surface material such as Corian®, Avonite, LG Hi-Macs and many other brands. Simple woodworking tools are all you need to get started.

What is Solid Surface?

Solid surface is a manufactured material most commonly used for seamless countertop installations. It is frequently referred to as Corian®, a product developed by DuPont™ in 1964. It can be readily cut, routed and sanded like wood and formed into countertops, shower walls, external cladding for buildings, signage, and furniture where non-porosity and infrequent maintenance are highly valued. These are just a few of its many applications.

Solid surface is made of acrylic resin, polyester resin or a combination of the two that is then combined with filler, color pigments and acrylic chips. This composition is most frequently extruded or poured as 1/2-in. thick sheets that are 30×144 inches and are the same color throughout their thickness.

In addition to being workable like hardwood, the material can be heated and thermoformed into curved and molded shapes. It can also be printed on, using dye-sublimation techniques that deposit the ink just below the surface, so the image becomes permanent.

Thermoforming

Thermoforming (the process of heating and shaping synthetic material) is an increasingly popular way to utilize solid surface to create 3D curves and rounded shapes. This is a realm where other surfacing materials like quartz and granite cannot be used. The ability to thermoform has made solid surface a favorite three-dimensional artistic pallet for designers everywhere.

Start the process of shaping the solid surface material by heating it to the point that it becomes very flexible, much like a wet noodle. Pay attention to the following factors when shaping the material into a radius or cylindrical shape:

Material Preparation—Cut the material slightly larger than the final dimension because it shrinks after heating. Prior to heating, the edges of the material must be sanded smooth with no chips, cracks or scratches. Small chips, cracks and scratches become the launching point for cracks to develop later.

Heating—It is best to heat the entire piece of material. If you heat a small section where the bend will occur, then there may be a tendency for stress to develop at the interface of the heated and not heated portions. The material should be heated to within a particular range of temperatures depending on the composition of the material (refer to manufacturer’s recommendations for your product). Be careful not to heat the material too much or too little. Under-heating the material and then trying to form it can result in cracking, breaking or stretch marks. Overheating the material may cause it to bubble or blister. Heating the material may also cause it to darken in color.

Material Flexibility—Acrylic material is the most flexible when it is heated to the appropriate temperature. A blend of acrylic and polyester is the next most flexible, with an all-polyester material being the least flexible.

Solid Surface material can be used to create 3D curves and rounded shapes through a process called thermoforming.

Bending and Shaping—After the material has reached the intended temperature, remove it from the oven and slowly bend it over or shape it into the desired form. If it is bent too rapidly, it may crack, break, or get white stretch marks. If bent too slowly, it may cool and stiffen too soon. However, don’t worry, as there is generally sufficient time to get the heated material to the destination mold.

Forms and Molds—Create a set of male and female molds from plywood or MDF for the material to be placed on or between while it cools. Let the material cool to below 180 degrees before removing. Note that forms and molds will transfer all but the smallest imperfections contained in their surface to the material being thermoformed. One way to eliminate these markings is to line the surface of the mold with tempered hardboard (also known as pegboard, but without the holes) stapled in place using small furniture staples.

Thermoforming works by heating the solid surface material to the point that it becomes very flexible, and then shaping the material using forms and molds.

Conforming—If available, a vacuum membrane forming press can be used to help the material conform to the desired shape. At times, it is beneficial to use a “helper stick” or a shaped piece of wood to coax the material into position. Sprinkle on a light layer of talcum powder to make the process even easier.

Cool Down—Keep the material fixed in place until it reaches 180°F at the surface and then remove the restraints to allow the material to release stress. (Note: 180° is the temperature DuPont suggests for Corian, but other brands may vary.)

Thanks to the process of dye sublimation, you can now transfer any design, logo, photograph or image onto your solid surface material.

Attend to any seaming or other modifications after thermoforming is complete.

Ovens—There are three styles of thermoforming ovens; infrared/radiant, hot air/convection, and platen press. The platen press oven is designed to come in contact with the sides of the material. This process consequently heats the material faster than the other two oven types. No matter what type of oven you decide to use to heat the material, make sure it is large enough to contain the entire piece.

Dye Sublimation

Want to add more artistry and pizzazz to your business or home office, dining room, kitchen, bathroom, family room or bedroom? Look no further than solid surface.

Thanks to an exciting process called dye sublimation, you can now transfer any design, logo, photograph or image (no matter how simple or complex) onto your solid surface material.

How It’s Done—Although it may look complicated, dye sub-limation is really quite simple, and the results are impressive. As it turns out, solid surface is the perfect medium for the dye sublimation process. This is because successful dye sub-limation is dependent upon an acrylic or polyester base for application, because of its ability to bond with the gassed ink dyes that are used.

During the dye sublimation process, a specialist will print your desired image to an ink transfer plate and heat up both the plate and the solid surface material. Once the materials reach the proper temperature, a vacuum process is used to transfer the ink on the transfer plate (now in gaseous form) into the Corian or other solid surface material.

To start, select your desired image or text—a photograph, digital or vector image—and provide it to your dye sublimation specialist. It’s important to check with them beforehand to make sure that your image meets the minimum digital or printed requirements to enable them to create a viable digital image file for sublimation.

After going through their own quality check process, the specialist will then print your desired image to an ink transfer plate and heat up both the plate and the solid surface material. Once the materials reach the proper temperature, a vacuum process is used to transfer the ink on the transfer plate (now in gaseous form) into the Corian or other solid surface material.  (Note: this process may vary slightly between dye sublimation specialists.)

A printed solid surface piece can be fabricated, shaped and thermoformed in the same manner as any other piece of solid surface material.

Presto! Your desired image or text is now permanently embedded into the surface, creating a very artistic and unique piece. This printed solid surface piece can now be fabricated, shaped and thermoformed in the same manner as any other piece of solid surface material.

Think of your solid surface as a blank canvas. Just like Van Gogh, Monet, Picasso or Warhol, envision your solid surface material waiting to spring to life with whatever imagery you desire. Through the dye sublimation process, virtually anything you can imagine can be masterfully transferred into your solid surface. Possibilities range from larger endeavors like business signs, paneled installations, wall décor and artistic flourishes added to countertops to smaller projects like promotional goods, coasters, hot plates, trivets or customized trophies or gifts.

Dye sublimation is unique, in that the process permanently embeds and preserves your selected image or text in the actual solid surface substrate. As a result, you also have the creative flexibility to choose between a matte or high gloss finish for the final touch.

Quite literally, dye sublimation allows your imagination to be the limit on what you create.

Vertical Application

The installation process for solid surface vertical applications, such as shower walls, tub surrounds, wainscoting and wall cladding, are procedurally very similar, therefore we’ll address them as a group.

Dry and Wet Locations—To begin with, make sure the wall surface that the solid surface material will be adhered to is sound and made of the correct materials for the intended use.

For dry locations, the supporting wall material can be a sound tile or plaster surface, MDF particle board, drywall/Sheetrock, moisture-resistant plywood, or cement backer board.

For wet locations that are above grade (in a portion of a building that is above ground), amend the materials list above as follows: do not use MDF; use marine-grade plywood and use moisture resistant drywall/Sheetrock. If the wall you are installing on is below grade (in a portion of the building that is below ground, like in a basement), it is not recommended to use solid surface due to moisture seepage into the wall.

Although often used for countertops, solid surface can be installed vertically for applications such as shower walls, tub surrounds, wanscoting, wall cladding-and even bookcases.

Before fastening the solid surface sheets in place, fit, scribe and cut, or sand the edges if need be, to ensure the sheets fit correctly. If two or more sheets need to be seamlessly joined, mirror-cut and seam them together with a solid surface backing strip glued in place. The wall surface will need to be notched to accommodate the thickness of the backing strip since it is on the back facing surface of the seamed sheets. Prepare the edges before seaming by using a tongue-and-groove router bit set or a wavy bit set. This will help ensure the sheets are level with each other and minimize the amount of sanding required to hide the seam location.

Fasten the solid surface sheets to the wall by placing 100-percent silicone sealant around the entire perimeter of the sheet. For the interior of the sheet, use thumb-size daubs of silicone every 8-12 inches in a grid pattern. Alternatively, you can also run vertical beads of silicone every 8 inches. However, if the wall surface is uneven, the tall daubes of silicone are generally a better choice since they will span the gap from the wall to the back of the solid surface sheet.

You can use large blobs of hot melt glue to hold the sheets in their final position while the silicone cures. To do this, pull the sides or edges away from the wall just enough to place the large blobs of hot melt glue, and then press and hold in place until it solidifies. You can also use braces to hold the sheets correctly in place and forgo using the hot melt glue.

DuPont offers detailed instructions and helpful online videos to walk you through the installation process.

Flat Wall Treatments—For flat wall treatments, like shower walls, tub surrounds, wainscoting and wall cladding, there are three popular ways to deal with the flat seams where two panels come together. The first is called a Batten strip. It is usually an inch or more wide, with eased edges (edges that are rounded) and is held with silicone over the 1/8-in. seam, which is also filled with silicone. A second option is to silicone the seam and then leave it uncovered. A third option is to create a “hard seam” by gluing the sheets together with solid surface adhesive. If constructed well, this seam will not be visible.

The length of sheets that can be “hard seamed” is limited when working with large expanses of solid surface (commercial applications). This distance is determined by the variation of temperature that exists. For example, if the temperature varies, from high to low, by 40 degrees, then the maximum length the seamed surface can be is 18 feet. However, if the temperature only varies by 10 degrees, then the length can increase to 72 feet. Therefore, a silicone joint that allows for expansion or contraction needs to be placed every 18 feet or 72 feet, respectively. You can refer to DuPont’s technical bulletin, “Dupont Surfaces: Dupont Corian Solid Surface Commercial Interior Surface Installation” for more details and information.

Corners—When working within an inside corner, it is recommended to use a silicone soft seam where the sheets come together. You can then either leave the seam like it is, or use one of several decorative trim covering options to make it more aesthetically pleasing. These trim pieces range from a triangular strip to a coved strip affixed with silicone over the corner. Hard seaming is also an option but requires special fabrication tools or thermoforming. Outside corners can be either hard or soft seamed. These treatments are explained with diagrams in the Dupont Surfaces technical bulletin.

Showers and Tubs—When working with showers and tubs, install the back wall first and leave 1/8 inch on all sides for expansion. Scribe and cut the sidewalls and cut any needed holes with a Rotozip tool, router or hole saw. After you attach the sidewalls and they are set, wipe with denatured alcohol in the places where silicone will be applied. Apply silicone from the bottom up and remove any excess with denatured alcohol after it sets. Wait to apply silicone until after the denatured alcohol has evaporated.

Wainscoting and Wall Cladding—When using solid surface for wainscoting (paneling) and wall cladding, leave a 1/8-in. gap at top and bottom and inside corners and apply silicone around the edges to allow for expansion. Attach the panels to the wall in the same manner as described above.

Make sure to use a router for cutting the solid surface material or dressing the edge of a saw-cut piece of material. A router creates a smooth edge, whereas a saw leaves a marked edge that may lead to fractures eventually. Using a saw can create fractures or cracks that can extend into the material and create larger cracks.

When attaching solid surface baseboard or chair rail moldings, apply silicone in continuous beads near the top and bottom of each strip, which allows for expansion and contraction. Apply hot melt glue in dabs to hold the molding in place while the silicone is setting.

Remember: Solid surface expands and contracts a fair amount, therefore it should not be adhered using a hard seam adhesive or it will break itself loose.

Finishing Touches for Solid Surface

One of the excellent characteristics of solid surface is that no finishing touches like paint, varnish, sealers or oils are needed. The desired shine, or lack of, is achieved with the final sanding grit. This ease of finish is a future plus if or when the surface becomes soiled or has a blemish. The spot can be removed with soap and water, cleaners, scouring powder, or sandpaper, depending on what is needed. Now your surface is ready to provide years of enjoyment and low-maintenance use.

Solid surface will not be damaged by water, so it makes an excellent material for wet environments such as kitchens, baths and even shower surrounds.

Who Can Purchase Solid Surface and Where?

Solid surface can be purchased in sheets from many places. Distributors sell solid surface, but generally only to professionals. Non-professionals can typically find and purchase solid surface through online marketplaces, such as SolidSurface.com, eBay or Craigslist. SolidSurface.com offers almost all brands as well as accessories needed to work with solid surface. It is one of the few places where currently stocked full sheets along with remnants of solid surface are available to anyone, including the woodworker, cabinet maker, remodeler, fabricator, sign-maker and DIY’er.

Whether you choose Corian or any other brand of solid surface, the creative possibilities are endless. Create something unique with solid surface, thermoform it or use the dye sublimation technique for your next DIY project.

Hot Product

Trex RainEscape
TREX® RAINESCAPE®

Multi-functional outdoor spaces that can be used year-round are on the rise with today’s homeowners, according to a report by Fixr.com. The nationwide survey of home construction, design and architecture experts found that 78% cited indoor-outdoor coherent design as the biggest outdoor living trend this year with 48% noting that outdoor space has to be […]

Read More >>