Specifiers are increasingly prioritising long-term performance over short-term aesthetics in work surface materials. Sameer Sawant, Director of Velstone, explains why longevity is becoming a non-negotiable in today’s projects.
In a sector where trends can change as quickly as the tide, it’s reassuring to see a solid shift in focus from surface-level style to long-term substance.
More and more, architects and specifiers are asking the question: how long will this material last, and what will it cost us, financially and environmentally, if it doesn’t?
And rightly so. Because while aesthetics will always matter, we’re now designing and specifying with future-proofing front of mind. This isn’t just about durability, it’s about sustainability, usability, and total lifecycle cost.
From my position at Velstone, working closely with partners across sectors, from education and healthcare to hospitality and residential, there’s a noticeable and growing trend: specifiers are starting to value materials that don’t just perform well on day one, but can keep performing for decades.
There’s a reason the phrase “buy cheap, buy twice” exists. Materials that damage easily, degrade quickly or can’t be repaired end up costing more in the long run, not just in budget terms, but in their impact on the environment.
Solid surface, when manufactured and used correctly, tick all the boxes. They’re built for the long haul, designed to resist the knocks, chips, stains, and scrapes that daily use in high-traffic spaces inevitably brings. Unlike laminate, which is prone to bubbling, chipping, and irreparable water damage, or quartz and granite which are difficult (and often impossible) to repair on-site, solid surface can be buffed, repaired, or in some cases completely refinished – without ripping everything out and starting again.
This repairability alone adds years, sometimes decades, to a product’s lifespan. It’s one of the key reasons we’ve seen solid surface become the preferred choice in environments like student accommodation, healthcare, schools, and airports, places where things get heavy use and longevity isn’t a nice-to-have, it’s essential.
This is where a 25mm solid surface comes into its own. It supports its own weight, removing the need for substrates. It’s easier to machine and install, even on-site, and it’s significantly more resistant to damage. In short—it’s made for the realities of modern spaces. And, more important, a thicker solid surface doesn’t just give you extra strength, it gives you more life. More time between replacements. Less waste. Fewer headaches.
And it’s not just about how long the material physically lasts, it’s about how easy it is to keep it looking good. A non-porous surface that doesn’t allow moisture or bacteria to creep in is easier to clean, more hygienic, and safer for users.
Solid surface, especially in thicker formats, offers all of that. And while it might not be the cheapest upfront, its whole-life cost is unbeatable when you factor in durability, maintenance, and repairability.
We’re now at a point where designers and specifiers are asking more from materials. The industry is moving away from short-term fixes and instead investing in materials that last longer, work harder, and leave a lighter footprint on the planet.
Solid surface isn’t a trend; it’s a shift in mindset. And that mindset is being driven by people who are thinking not just about what works today, but what still works in 20 years’ time.
Velstone is a leading manufacturer and supplier of solid surface in the UK and aboard. For more information visit www.velstone.com or call 0208 861 4422.
