HOW TO CHOOSE A SOLID SURFACE FABRICATOR: TIPS AND CONSIDERATIONS

Choosing a Solid Surface Fabricator to Suit Your Needs

Solid Surface has become increasingly popular over the years, as a material of choice for many applications, both commercial and domestic. This is due to several factors; durability, ease of maintenance, choice of colours, ability to curve and shape, seamless joins, and design possibilities.

It takes skilled craftsmen to produce a quality, finished item using Solid Surface, where the joins are undetectable, and the end finish is sleek and smooth.

This is why I have pulled together this handy guide on how to choose a Solid Surface Fabricator to suit your needs.

How do you find a Solid Surface Fabricator?

Seems obvious, Google it right? Well, you could do that, but then, being such a skilled craft, how will you know that you are talking with the fabricator that has the experience, skills, and expertise to provide you with what you need and want?

In an Industry full of amazing experts, there is also a sprinkling of those who, sadly, devalue the product and Industry by providing substandard work.

This is why doing your research and homework is so very important!

There are several brands of Solid Surface available in the UK, so to begin with, I advise that you research the material itself. To find out more about what the material is and how it can help you, take a read of my first issue of this newsletter here

Then it is time to look for a fabricator. One way to find Solid Surface fabricators is to ask the suppliers and distributors for the right kind of fabricator, and, if necessary, one that is in your location.

Who are the brands and suppliers?

Who is the right kind of fabricator for you?

Solid Surface fabricators are not created equal, which is another reason for spending some time researching.

In the UK there is a bit of a split among fabricators

Commercial: those who undertake larger commercial projects such as rollout programs, or things like office fit-out; they will predominantly work with contractors.

Domestic: Typically these are those that work more with kitchen dealers and the domestic market, they work predominantly within private homes and residences.

In-House- These will normally undertake fabrication as part of their business, although it is not their core business and is more of a bolt-on, these are normally shopfitters and similar.

We, at BSF Solid Surfaces Ltd, are predominantly a commercial fabricator, although we do also work with domestic customers.

Do Solid Surface Fabricators have to be accredited?

The short answer is that it is relatively simple, these days, to become a fabricator of Solid Surfaces. Sadly, some of the material suppliers are less discerning than others and will sell to those who have little or no experience.

Most of the larger companies will require some form of fabricator training to have undergone before allowing them to work with the material and become a fabricator.

It is generally understood that if CD UK Ltd, the distributor of Corian, has provided training, the other suppliers will allow them to also purchase and fabricate.

Some things do separate fabricators apart:

CD UK has set up the Corian Quality Partner Network, which we at BSF Solid Surfaces Ltd, are proud to be a part of. James Latham has the Hi Macs Quality Club, which we are also a part of.

The other Solid Surface suppliers have in place their own systems.

The purpose of these networks is two-fold, it is to provide the experienced, quality fabricators with additional support, but it is also to have a directory of quality fabricators that potential customers can interact with, with the confidence that the quality they, quite rightly expect, is forthcoming, and provides the customer with a level of security that there is somewhere to go if a project does not go to plan.

Does it matter how long a fabricator has been established?

The Solid Surface Industry has many different fabricating companies, some are more established than others. I would not suggest that the length of time a fabricator has been in business should be the only factor to consider when choosing supplier, although it can be one consideration.

It can be all too easy for people to assume it is easy to fabricate, we do, after all, make it look very easy, however, the reality is that it is a material that needs to be treated with care ensuring the correct techniques are used when fabricating.

Many owners of fabricating companies may well have worked for more than one fabricating company during their career, so that is an essential factor to consider.

Most of the better-fabricating companies in the UK employ fabricators that have many years of experience.

I would say that more important than the years established, is the type of work they have produced over the years - that will pinpoint if they are the right fabricator for you.

Things to look out for / check when choosing a fabricator

Below is a handy checklist to help you know what to ask about and research.

You can tell a lot about a company by its socials, are they modern thinking or more traditional? Is their work mainly commercial or domestic?  

Where do they operate, nationally or locally to themselves?

This is an important consideration, as where fabricators are prepared to work will also have an impact on their costs.

Some fabricators prefer to work locally and close to their premises whilst others offer a nationwide service. We are happy to travel nationwide for commercial projects but tend to stick to the Home Counties for domestic projects.

Skills, Tooling, and Technology

Another important consideration to make when choosing a fabricator for your project is whether they have the appropriate skills, tools, and technology for the requirements of the project.

Most fabricators will have invested in the basic tools which will include routers, sanders, and vacuum. More established and experienced fabricators may well have taken the next steps and invested in larger, more heavy-duty machinery such as a wall saw or CNC.

In our case we have invested in a Striebig Wall Saw, 5-Axis CNC, C-Axis CNC, Multi Therm Platten Oven for three-dimensional thermoforming (heat treating), Fifty-tonne press, Festool sanders, routers, and V groover.

Can they undertake laser templating, or do they use more traditional methods?

Many fabricators will have CAD Software, which assists in the production of working drawings. We use Microstation as our CAD Software, which enables us to produce detailed working drawings for our clients to sign off; we also use AlphCam software for our CNC machinings, enabling us to achieve greater accuracy.

Have they the ability to help the customer "visualise" how their project will look? We produce computer-generated images for this very purpose, recognising that sometimes it can be hard for the end customer to "see" what we propose to build.

What else should you consider when choosing a Solid Surface Fabricator?

There are several things to look for, not all are necessary and depend on the nature of your project.

1.      Can they take your design concept and turn it into a reality?

2.      Do they provide computer generate images to assist in visualisation?

3.      Will they provide samples- both physical and light boxes to touch and feel?

4.      Are they prepared to make a mockup if required?

5.      Can they deliver a CPD to your team to explain all about Solid Surface?

6.      Are they happy to offer advice and information on any of the materials they work with?

7.     Will they check stock and ensure that you are kept advised of any issues or shortages?

8.     Are they strict on their lead times, or will they try to assist in rush situations?

9.      Do they produce working drawings for sign-off?

10.  Do they undertake a site survey and installation?

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There are so many very good fabricators in the UK of Solid Surface, if you do your research and ask the suppliers for their opinion, you should be able to make a choice that is the right choice for you.

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Itching to know more and want to talk to me or one of my team? Get in touch, we are a friendly bunch, we love to talk all things Solid Surface and will be glad to help!

For a more in-depth look at how we work, it would be great if you took a look at my showcase article here.

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I am grateful that you have taken the time to read this newsletter, if you have any questions please do give me a shout.

Take care and best wishes

Nicola

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Nicola Barden is the Managing Director of her family business, BSF Solid Surfaces Ltd, offering high-end, bespoke counter surfaces from Solid Surface, a high-end man-made stone, for both commercial and residential projects, website www.bsfsolidsurfaces.com

She can be contacted at [email protected] or give her a call at 01277 263603 if you want to chat about anything or nothing in particular.

In her spare time, she can be found with her husband, son, two cats, and crazy dog. They enjoy going to the zoo, the park, the rides, and anything that allows their energetic son to expend his endless amounts of energy!

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