Solid Surface Vs. Stainless Steel

Sanitaryware, in particular, is demanded to be clean, durable and strong.

In many of critical environments, it comes down to two material choices: solid surface or stainless steel. Vitreous china is frequently discounted from considerations.

While both solid surface and stainless steel do not allow the growth of bacteria and pathogens, solid surface’s ability to create seamless joints make it easier to clean and disinfect. Stainless steel WCs and basins can have awkward corners that are tight and difficult to fully clean, leaving room for bacteria and germs to hide.

Solid surface is a tough, sturdy material. Resan has proven robustness meeting the BMA/MOJ agreed test standards for robustness. Should any damage occur – solid surface is more easily repairable.

Solid surface can be easily cleaned with a lightly abrasive sponge or pads to remove a lot of marks and scuffs. Deeper refinishing involves sanding. You cannot repair stainless steel – any mark on it is there for the lifetime of the product.

Aesthetically solid surface is conducive to normalising the built environment. Stainless steel can appear very dated and not relevant for environments where service user needs demand a solution that looks familiar to what would be fitted in a home. Resan in particular has had very positive feedback from NHS trusts on its modern styling while still being a hygienic rim free anti-ligature design specification.

Acoustic flush performance is comparable between stainless steel and solid surface however it cannot be ignored that under vandalism conditions, more noise is created from attempting to damage stainless steel, compared to solid surface. This can matter significantly in custodial applications when containment protocols are in place.

Cost-wise, generally stainless steel and solid surface works out similarly priced when based on a like-for-like specification.