How seamless surfaces stop superbugs in hospital design

• 2 July 2025|
• Blogs|
• velstone_admin

For healthcare architects, infection prevention begins with materials. Hospital infection control surface materials must go beyond aesthetics; they must actively support clinical hygiene.

Key Highlights

• Seamless, non-porous solid surfaces like Velstone are critical to hospital infection control.
• Designed to meet HTM 63 standards, Velstone eliminates microbial harbours and supports safer, cleaner environments in healthcare settings.
• Discover how Velstone helps stop the spread of infectious diseases and supports public health goals.

The critical role of seamless surfaces in infection prevention

Infection control is a major challenge in modern hospitals. Microbial contamination on hard surfaces contributes significantly to the transmission of infectious diseases. When specifying materials, architects must consider:

1. The effectiveness of cleaning and disinfectant protocols
2. The risk of infection linked to porous or jointed surfaces
3. The safe use of materials near medical equipment
4. How materials withstand rigorous environmental cleaning and terminal cleaning cycles

Designing for infection control starts with the right surface material

In healthcare facilities where infection control strategies are paramount, Velstone solid surfaces deliver a sterile, safe environment by eliminating the microbial harbours often found in traditional materials. Unlike different surface materials, Velstone removes risk at the material level—by being non-porous and seamless, it ensures disinfection protocols are not compromised by material limitations.

Why Velstone is the gold standard for surfaces in hospitals

Velstone’s 25mm thick solid surfaces are engineered specifically for healthcare facilities, meeting HTM 63 specifications and surpassing standards for hygiene and durability. Key features include:

• Seamless joints: Reduces the risk of microbial buildup in crevices.
• Non-porous surface: Prevents absorption of fluids and bacteria, providing a sterile surface.
• High resistance to stains, chipping, and impacts. The surfaces require minimal maintenance and are easily cleaned with recommended products.
• Easy repairability: On-site repair kits minimise disruption to patient care areas.
• Fire and heat resistance: Enhances safety within health care environments.

These properties make Velstone ideal for everything from intensive care units to dental surgeries.

Velstone’s seamless advantage: Eliminating the source of contamination

Seamless joints are a game-changer for infection control. Traditional surfaces often fail at the seams, allowing bacteria and moisture to penetrate. Velstone surfaces are non-porous, offering a sterile environment free from harmful bacteria and pathogens. These surfaces prevent the accumulation of dirt and dust that can harbour bacteria and lead to contamination. With Velstone:

• There are no open joints, meaning no hiding places for pathogens.
• Integral upstands prevent dirt and moisture from collecting where worktop meets wall.
• The seamless finish supports visual inspection and cleaning methods mandated in healthcare environments.

This is not just about clean appearance—it’s about public health and patient safety.

Solid surface for a safe environment

Velstone’s advanced composition, made from Alumina Tri-Hydrate and high-performance resins, delivers:

• Superior strength for high-traffic patient care areas
• Reliable surface disinfection—resistant to harsh disinfectant products
• Compatibility with a range of disinfection protocols used by healthcare workers
• Longevity and sustainability through low maintenance and repairability

When hygiene, cost-efficiency, and durability must align, Velstone provides an excellent solution for healthcare environments, from nurse stations and consulting rooms to dental practices and laboratory rooms.

Surface cleaning: Supporting environmental infection control

Environmental services teams in healthcare rely on materials that respond well to surface cleaning. Velstone’s non-porous quality ensures:

• No absorption of liquids or contaminants
• Quick turnaround between patients in care areas
• Compatibility with all approved cleaning methods

Surface disinfection is only as effective as the surface allows. Velstone enables significant reduction in bacteria when standard cleaning protocols are followed.

Creating a healing environment through hygienic design

Hygienic materials are foundational to a healing environment. Clean spaces not only reduce the risk of infection but also improve patient care outcomes and staff morale. Velstone supports healing environments through:

• Ease of maintenance and visual cleanliness
• Smooth finishes that encourage safe use
• Long-term value through durability and compliance

So, patients and healthcare workers alike benefit from the safety and reliability of seamless solid surfaces.

What makes Velstone ideal for hospital infection control surface materials?

Velstone, unlike different materials and various surfaces, excels across every metric that specifiers should consider:

• Fully compliant with HTM 63 for healthcare fit-outs
• Non-porous and joint-free for ultimate hygiene
• Easy to install and machine, with no MDF substrate required
• Proven durability in real-world clinical environments
• Sustainable and repairable, reducing long-term costs

Set the right hygiene standards in your healthcare design

Your material choices define the health and safety of tomorrow’s hospitals. Specify Velstone for a safe, seamless, and sterile solution that supports infection prevention and protects patient care.

With Velstone, you get a hospital infection control surface material that’s future-proof, compliant, and ready for the most demanding environments.

Contact us today to discuss your healthcare project and learn how Velstone can elevate infection prevention in your next build, or request a free sample now.

FAQs on solid surfaces for hospital design

What makes Velstone the perfect solid surfaces for infection control?

Velstone is seamless, non-porous, and HTM 63-compliant, reducing microbial risk and simplifying disinfection and making it perfect for health care facilities.

What is HTM 63 compliance?

HTM63 (Health Technical Memoranda 63) HTM 63 compliance is vital in any healthcare environment when it comes to solid surfaces and furnishings. Our worktops are subjected to rigorous testing to ensure they are in accordance with the department of health.

How easy is the Velstone solid surface to keep clean?

Seamless surfaces like Velstone are easier stan resistant making them easy to clean and sterilise, thus contributing to the overall hygiene of the workspace.