There's good news for fans of solid surfacing. During the past few years, prices have fallen due to increased competition from less expensive imports and the escalating demand for natural granite and engineered quartz.

Not only has competition lowered prices, making the material more accessible, it also has created a greater breadth of color and pattern choices. For instance, manufacturers are cranking out color blends with larger and varying particulate sizes in an effort to mimic the appearance of granite and quartz, like LG Hi-Macs' new acrylic-based, large-particulate Volcanics collection.

“The color trend is for more real-granite-like colors,” notes John Scott, vice president of Swanstone solid surfacing by Swan.

Builders and remodelers say that the new hues are welcomed by their clients. “Some customers don't like the plastic look of solid surfacing,” comments Chris Riddle, owner of Riddle Construction & Design in Seattle.

In addition, manufacturers are differentiating their solid-surface offerings with unique products, such as Formica's vanity sink with a stainless steel look and DuPont Corian's Wabi-sabi line that the firm says replicates the randomness and unpredictability of natural materials.

“People have more choices” than ever before, says Katherine Lee, national sales manager for Samsung Staron solid surfacing.

Furthermore, competition is spurring new solid-surfacing applications. Manufacturers point out that the material already is used for shower pans and shower walls in addition to countertops, vanity tops, and sinks. And now products are transitioning from commercial construction.

DuPont Corian, for example, recently introduced to the residential market its Bas Relief line, a collection originally available only for commercial applications. The Bas Relief line features patterned textures intended for vertical applications, such as backsplashes or walls.

Several manufacturers also are researching other uses for the material. “Looking beyond the kitchen and bath” is the only way the category will grow, Scott says.

A SOLID ADVANTAGE

Solid surfacing, which was developed several decades ago, always has had many redeeming attributes. “I'm a big fan,” says Nancy Johnson, a designer with New England Kitchen Design Center in Monroe, Conn. “It's non-porous, renewable, repairable, and consistent and has inconspicuous seams.”

And with reduced prices and more choices, consumers are taking a closer look. “We're pleased to see that we're pulling [market share] up from the lower end of the market spectrum that had been owned by ceramic tile and laminates,” says Jerry Bailey, co-owner and president of LG Hi-Macs. “The typical homeowner wants the properties associated with solid surfacing, such as seamlessness and non-porousness.”

Adds Scott: “Remodeling's at an all-time high, and people want to put in a material that's going to last a lot longer than what's in place, and they're willing to upgrade to solid surfacing.”

As the category matures and prices slide, solid surfacing will become more commonplace in homes, manufacturers contend. “I see it becoming more of the mainstream material because of the selection that will be available,” says Tripp Parker, sales and marketing director for Transolid.

But for some, nothing but the natural stuff will do. “It doesn't have the beauty, shine, or hardness that stone has,” says Adam Abrams of Cabinet En-Counters in Cleveland.

This story first appeared in REMODELING magazine. Keila Woodard contributed to this report.

Formica. The company is integrating the Surell and Fountainhead labels into a new brand called Formica Solid Surfacing. The new collection will feature 72 patterns in 30-inch and 36-inch stock sheet sizes, including seven new designs featuring semi-translucent colors and decorative patterns. The Formica Solid Surfacing line will be divided into five design groups and four price points. 800-367-6422. www.formica.com.

Samsung. The Designer collection of Staron solid surfacing now is available in two new color groups—talus and quarry—that feature large-particulate patterns with polished, natural-stone appearances, the firm says. There are three new talus colors and five new quarry colors. Staron is available in more than 50 colors in six groupings. The 100 percent acrylic material is durable, stain-resistant, and easy to clean and maintain, the maker says. 800-795-7177. www.staron .com.

DuPont. Corian recently introduced six new colors that were inspired by wabi-sabi, the Japanese design concept. Wabi-sabi products, which celebrate the randomness and unpredictability of nature, have translucent particles with a powdery base of multi-colored fine particles. The new range of subdued neutral hues brings the total Corian offering to more than 110 colors. 800-426-7426. www.corian.com.

LG Hi-Macs. The premium Volcanics acrylic solid-surface collection features eight colors with deep tones and translucent particulates. The collection embodies the rich translucent appearance typically associated with polyester solid-surface material. The acrylic surfacing is scratch-and stain-resistant and easily repaired, the firm says. Fifty-two colors are available from the manufacturer. 866-544-4622. www.lghi-macs.com.

Avonite. The company's three solid surfacing lines offer a range of colors and styles from traditional to modern. The Studio collection offers a touch of drama with classic elegance; Foundations surfaces celebrate nature's earth tones and vivid accents; and the Acrystone line features 26 colors for a variety of applications. 800-354-9858. www.avonitesurfaces.com.

Transolid. The Natural Selections collection of vanity tops are made of a durable, non-porous solid-surface composition that offers consistent colors and veining, as well as ease of fabrication and installation, the firm says. The surfacing material also is low maintenance. Eight colors in marble and wood-grain looks are available. www.tran solid.com.

Swan. Besides Swanstone Everyday Plus standard-size solid-surface countertops, the firm offers custom counters that can be fabricated into any shape. Custom and Everyday Plus products are available in more than 25 colors and are resistant to stains, scratches, and extreme heat, the firm says. Seamless molded edges and seamless under-mount sinks also are available. 800-325-7008. www.swanstone.com.