Kitchen Countertops, Corian or Granite?

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islandJim

Guest
Hi gang, I know many of you have done some home remodeling and I could use some input on which surface type you prefer or tips on pros and cons of each. After 11 years of heavy use we are replacing our kitchen countertops. We have been to Home Depot and have picked a color that we both like in each of the surfaces, but can't decide between Corian or stone. Like I said earlier, DW loves to cook so the surface will get a good workout. We read the quick description and strengths of each but would like to hear from actual users. The cost was pretty close, not an issue.
Any tips or experience with either countertop is appreciated.
Thanks, Jim.
 
C

Cruise cutie

Guest
My Corian was only 1 1/2 years old when we bought the house, and we are going on 4 years;since we moved in...they paid top drawer, and got the best.. he could well afford it!!.It takes a licking and keeps on ticking, and my counters look lovely.I live in my kitchen!!..:thumb..so that works a s a choice..

.I also live in "The Granite Capital of THE World "..NO Fooling it's documented for a fact.. :grin.. and I would put in the granite if I were bearing the cost to replace as it 's pretty cheap HERE to do it..either way is nice.. Happy research....=hugs Joanne
 
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nieciez

Guest
[size=medium]I had the Corian in my old house and LOVED it. Sold the house to DD almost 4 years ago and it still looks GREAT. The beauty of Corian is you don't have the maintenance of sealing it like I understand you do with granite and Corian can be repaired if you do damage it. I would love to have it in this house we have laminate :puke but I can't justify replacing it right now as it is only 4 years old and in perfect shape....maybe I need to put a really hot pan on the countertop and burn it :lol :lol[/size]
 
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red stripe

Guest
That link I gave says that Concrete, Granite, wood and stone have to be sealed.

it answers about any question you might ask.
I know that we are looking at Corian..

PS.. Denise.. I am thinking that 'solid surfaces" means Corian, and I see that this chart says that you can not roll dough on them? have you found this to be the case??
 
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tutak

Guest
We replaced out countertops last year. The price was about the same. The Boss decided to go with Corian because the sinks (we have 2) could be seamlesslly moded in. Also, any seams in the countertop itself can be made invisible. One thing that some people over look when thinking about granite is whether your cabinet structure is strong enough to hold up the added weight of granite.

I don't know about rolling out dough. I know that The Boss uses a wooden board when she bakes.
 
K

korinalacount

Guest
We have granite but granite tiles,John installed them,they did have to be sealed,and I can cut,roll do anything on these countertops,have had them about 5 years now,have never used Corian,hear it is fine as well,we went with what was cheaper for us,that John could do himself.
 
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Cruzship

Guest
Re: Kitchen Counter tops, Corian or Granite?

Granite does need to be sealed at least once a year. The lighter colors, or colors with more "veins" are more susceptible to staining than the darker, more solid colors. It is almost impossible to scratch or chip, and takes heat well. A stain, though, is forever.
Corian, or any of a hundred variants, is mostly acrylic, base on oil, and who's price lately shows it. It is 100% non-porous, and can not stain. It can scratch and burn, rather easily, but all "accidents" with corian can be sanded out. There are no seams either, anywhere, whereas with granite, there will almost always be a seam. Its very important you know WHO is fabricating and installing your product, not just the box store you buy it from. With granite and corian, the fabrication/install is EVERYTHING.I can not stress that enough.
Because granite is porous, it can not be used in commercial counters anywhere. Corian is widely used in commercial environments because of its non porosity.Quartz counters, which is a man engineered stone, is non porous, and does not need to be sealed. Names such as "Silestone, Caesarstone, Cambria" are Quartz counters.
Granite and quartz will almost always be shiny, corian is at its best when Matte finish.
 
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islandJim

Guest
Thanks for all of the input, and very good points made on both materials. After reading red's link, your replies and other sites all day I am starting to lean toward Corian. Tutak brings up a point which I noticed and found important in the showroom about the sinks being seamless and blended right into the counter. It gives a much cleaner look.
We also have a bar in the basement which is tiled with marble and as cruzship stated with stone, we have a water stain in the marble. I will also do some research on their installer company.
We just set up an appointment with the design center tonight, thanks for giving me some points to bring up.
Jim
 
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nieciez

Guest
I loved the seamless sinks with the solid surface.

Red, I had no problem rolling dough on the solid surface as long as it was well floured, no different then on my large wood butcher block island or the laminate countertops I've worked on over the years.
 
E

Einstein

Guest
I am definitely a C man as the seamless sink is a HUGE selling point although granite is nice also. Gotta support the hand that feeds U though . :grin Oddly enough the color scheme red & I agreed upon last year was called Aruba. :lol Now all that has to be found is the $$$ to do it. Perhaps this could be a 2009 project if that $$$ treee grows a bit quicker. :grin Good Luck with your decision and selection. :thumb

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J

jk

Guest
This is a great thread as this is the next project on our list (don't tell SK :D ) well maybe the 2nd project on our list. We are getting ready to rip up all the carpeting on the first floor and put in laminate. I am going to be checking out the
Quartz material and see what it is all about. Unfortunately in our area just about everyone has updated their
kitchens with granite and I am afraid when and if we ever have to sell our house I would hate to have to replace
the countertops again. We have already replaced them once since we moved in 14 years ago :( I want something
this time that will last for a LONG time. The laminate that we picked is still okay but I HATE the color we picked :cool:
 
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reggae

Guest
DH just finished two kitchen remodel jobs, both went with the Granite countertops. Seems to be the trend around here right now.
 
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nieciez

Guest
Now that is weird..didn't notice it before but the add at the top & bottom of this thread is for countertops :lol
 
J

jk

Guest
Good eye Denise! Maybe I won't be looking at Quartz :lol They have advertisements here for applying a granite type
of product over your existing countertop. I think I will look into that. We already have had our cabinets refaced and
love them!
 
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Rubysky

Guest
Corian is great, you don't have to worry about stains. Get the intagrated sink if you can. It really is worth the extra money.
I'm one of those abusive cooks as far as countertop and sinks go and mine is still stainfree after 10 years. I'm one of those slobs that can spill sauce on the counter while serving up dinner and it might not get cleaned for hours later.
Stone needs to be sealed and it needs to be resealed throught it's life. It needs to have mishaps cleaned up right away.
 


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