architectural materials

Written by Vipin Jain | Updated November 2025 | Edited by: The Archwhispers Team Last month, I was at an offline materials' exhibition, speaking to a group of architects and interior designers about solid surfaces. And within minutes, I had a bag of mixed reactions. Some mentioned they turned yellow, some complained about the flexibility, and what not! But that’s not the case! See, solid surfaces aka Korean tabletop materials are made from acrylic resins and pigments. So they are meant to be seamless, durable, and hygienic for varied purposes. But the thing in India is that many manufacturers are making really poor quality, high-filler materials. They decrease the resin; they add fillers and ignore the composition. And eventually, the clients blame the architects, right? Now the truth is the product isn't the problem, but the quality being supplied is! That is exactly why I decided to take this up more seriously and sit down with my team at Evo Solid Surfaces. Since 2016, EVO has been steadily building a reputation for consistent quality, clear grade differentiation and an application-specific product range. From terrazzo-inspired solid surfaces to marble, onyx and granite-like shades, we now offer 110+ colors; so you can really experiment with each. Let’s see how! Top Insights Acrylic percentage, UV stability, bonding strength, and thermoforming behavior determine the long-term durability of solid surfaces far more than the shade or finish does. Evo basically has three solid surface ranges: Evolve, Evo Flex & Evo Luxe for different applications from temporary installations to long-term premium environments. Always match the grade to lifecycle expectations. Like if the client demands longevity, curved detailing, or a premium finish, lower-grade sheets won’t be of use. What Are Solid Surfaces? ©Evo Surfaces So basically, solid surfaces aka Korean table-top materials are advanced surface sheets made from acrylic resins, pigments and alumina trihydrate. Unlike natural stone or granite, they aren’t mined or extracted from the earth. They’re engineered. Hence, they are extremely easy to fabricate, durable and simply seamless! In fact, most of our partner architects even tell us how they are non-porous, hygienic and thermoformable. Thus, the material gives them the flexibility to make continuous surfaces, curves and integrated sinks & back splashes. But then, always remember that the performance of your solid surfaces depends on the resin-to-mineral balance. Like, when the acrylic percentage is high, say 30% or more, then you get: Stable color performance; no yellowing or fading Great bond strength with almost invisible joints throughout the material lifecycle Renewable surfaces with easy-to-polish chips and scratches Excellent thermoforming response However, the moment that formula is alters, the surface begins losing color, durability, and finish quality much sooner than it should. And unfortunately, that becomes your reputation at stake. So yes, always confirm the material integrity. Composition matters. And if you want that expertise sorted without multiple calls and inspections, Evo Solid Surfaces is what you can trust! What's the Current Scenario in India Like? So, the solid surfaces market is obviously surging in India, especially in modular kitchens, luxury apartments, boutiques & hospitals. But unfortunately, there’s a rise in low-cost, “look-alike” solid surface products too! In fact, we even surveyed some homes, and were shocked to see designers being tricked with modified, non-bendable surfaces & fillers. Some other problems included: Unrepairable fading & yellowing just in 1 year, especially in the white & light, non-bendable variants. More scratches, dullness, white spots and stains on the darker colors Some fake products with fake “bendable” or “thermoformable” tags crack on the curves Solid surfaces lose their sheen, sometimes within months only! And finally, clients blame the architects (yes, even though the root cause is product-grade mismatch!) And well, these are not isolated complaints! Over the past 18–24 months, per feedback from architects in metro cities, these issues have become recurring in mid- to high-range residential and commercial projects alike. So What Goes Wrong & Where the Market’s Shortcomings Lie? So, our team at Archwhispers & Evo surfaces spent the last weekend surveying the solid surfaces market, mainly for product quality, claims and supply chain. Here’s what we found: Compromised Raw Material Sourcing: Cheaper resins & filler-heavy compositions (mainly for cost-cutting) that failed basic quality expectations & bond strength. Lack of Clarity Around Sheet Grades: We also found that many suppliers marketed their solid surfaces as a one-size-fits-all product, irrespective of usage, climate exposure, or design intent. Insufficient Testing or Certification: Most products eventually had no reports on the UV tests, fire safety, long-term durability or chemical resistance. Client Expectations Misaligned With Reality: Many clients (especially architects) expected a lifetime performance without understanding that not all sheets are created equal! And thus, they unfortunately suffer from reputation damage, pre-mature maintenance costs & safety liability in the long run. So yes, people now view most solid surfaces with suspicion. The trust built over decades is eroding, not because of poor design, but because of poor product quality masquerading as quality. And that’s exactly where Evo Solid surfaces decided to step in; not just to supply, but to educate and fix what poor quality suppliers have broken! How Does Evo Surface Solutions Help Rebuild Trust in Solid Surfaces Specifications? https://www.instagram.com/p/DE7dIbYRD2g/?utm_sourceig_web_copy_link&igshMzRlODBiNWFlZA So, Evo is one of the most loved brands in the acrylic solid surfaces industry since 2016. And yet, our founders had one approach; we just wanted to educate first and suggest next. Like, we don’t want architects to choose a material blindly. We want them to understand the following: What makes two sheets look similar but perform differently Why resin percentage impacts lifespan When a grade can withstand sunlight or curved fabrication Where an entry-grade variant is perfectly acceptable So yes, we do try to have one-on-one consultations, dialogues, e-catalogues and digital resources, for each grade, finish and application we design for. And this, eventually, helps architects and designers evaluate the best product for their projects. Like, whether It's for a long-term premium installation or a temporary setup, we have it all! What Are the Main Variants in the Evo Solid Surfaces Range? So, Evo solid surfaces solutions has three grades primarily - the entry-level, interior and premium grade, based on performance. Here are the deets for the same: Evo RangeIntended UseWhere It Should NOT Be UsedKey Performance NotesEvolve (Entry-Level)Temporary installations: exhibitions, rentals, mock-ups, site officesHigh-exposure kitchens, hospitality, outdoor spacesLight shades can yellow; darker shades can show scratches soonerEvo Flex (Interior Grade)Indoor environments with moderate usage: reception desks, wall panelling, low-touch areasDirect sunlight, heavy cooking zones, stain-prone areasCurves possible; some stains require re-polishingEvo Luxe (Premium Grade)High-performance spaces: luxury kitchens, hospitals, hotels, retailApproved for both indoor and outdoor use when specified correctlyUV-stable, stronger fabrication response, stain + scratch resistance 1. Evolve Range (Entry-Level Quality) So basically, our ‘Evolve’ range is for temporary or limited-lifecycle installations. Maybe some exhibition counters, rental interiors, or site offices. It still delivers the aesthetic of solid surfaces at a practical cost, but without long-term color stability. White Light shades may develop a yellow tint over time in real-use conditions Dark colors can show scratch patterns with frequent contact Not recommended for kitchens, hospitality, or high-use commercial counter 2. Evo Flex Range (Interior Grade) ©Evo Surfaces Our Eco flex range, on the other hand, is best for indoor spaces that do not face excessive heat, chemicals, or direct sunlight. Plus, it's super flexible! So, you can get your details and curves nicely. Trust me, they literally are the best options for moderate-use reception desks, wall panelling, low-touch interiors, etc.! Designed only for interiors Evo has discontinued darker solid colors in this range after field observations of early surface patching Surfaces may get occasional staining from high-pigment substances (turmeric, hair dyes). But these are typically reversible through re-polishing 3. Evo Luxe Range (Premium Grade) ©Evo Surfaces As you all might know, our Evo Luxe range is manufactured in South Korea. So, it’s eventually our high performance range with all those global standards. That means the formulation maintains color integrity and finish even in challenging environments. Some other properties include: Lighter colors are UV-stable and can even be used for exterior applications. The surface resists stains and scratches. And you can easily remove all other marks with a quick re-polish or standard sanitizing cleaner It’s fire-safe and non-toxic during fabrication and installation The composition supports long-term sustainability and safer material choices So, today, architects rely on Evo Luxe for luxury kitchens, hospitals, hotels, and high-traffic retail environments. Basically anywhere, the design needs both performance and appearance for years, not just the first season. Why Solid Surfaces Still Make Sense? Solid surfaces may have gained popularity for their seamless, modern look, but I personally feel that their real strength lies in performance. Some other popular benefits include: Seamless joints minimize dirt and moisture build-up, especially in kitchens, hospitals, and public spaces. Faster installation without curing delays or strong odors Low-VOC fabrication ensures safer indoor air quality during and after installation. Surface renewability allows scratches and wear marks to be professionally re-polished instead of replacing the full slab. Sustainable material lifecycle, as damaged sections can be reﬁnished or recycled. Heat and fire resistance for safety in both residential and commercial zones. Thus, when you choose the correct grade, you get practical, durable, and visually consistent solid surfaces for years, not just months! 5 Tips to Pick the Right Solid Surfaces Each Time! Always ask for material composition details (resin-to-mineral ratio, UV-stability certifications, thermoforming/test history) Demand sample aging information; ideally long-term (1–2 years) results, not just freshly laminated sheets Match sheet grade to project use-case. Say indoor vs outdoor, privacy residence vs high-traffic hotel, kitchen vs display shelf, etc. Work with suppliers who are open about limitations and provide proper fabrication guidelines Include post-handover orientation for clients: maintenance, cleaning, avoid misuse FAQs Conclusion So now that you know what’s actually happening in the solid surface market, especially with low-acrylic, filler-heavy sheets, we hope you’ll take a moment to evaluate them rightly. Because eventually, the material still offers tremendous design value for architects. It just needs the right grade and the right supplier clarity behind, like Evo. And, if you’d like guidance on a project or simply want clarity before specifying, reach out to Evo. They’ll make sure your design holds its finish far beyond the opening day. About the Author - Vipin Jain Founder of Evo Solid Surfaces & Guest Contributor at Archwhispers | https://evosurfaces.comipin has over 11 years of experience in luxury solid surface materials, working closely with architects and dealers across India. Connect with the brand on Instagram at @evosolidsurfaces for tips on choosing the right solid surface for every space. Citations https://www.evosurfaces.com/colour-gallery.html https://evosurfaces.com https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solid_surface_material

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