While having professionals install countertops is the recommended course of action, homeowners who take pride in their DIY skills can opt to install their own countertops. Granite or Quartz. This smoother, more homogenous appearance can be an advantage where you don't want the countertops to be a primary design features—such as when you want gorgeous cabinetry to be the main feature of a kitchen. Granite slab countertops are almost always viewed as a good investment when it comes to increasing the sale value of your home. Corian is fairly easy to scratch, can’t withstand high temperatures, is almost impossible to stain, and requires no maintenance. You can set a hot pan on it without worry, in most cases, but red-hot skillets have been known to crack a granite countertop. Total “Wins”: Corian® = 4, Granite = 1, Both = 3. Corian was the original solid surface brand name. The Spruce / Kevin Norris. Corian solid-surface offers more pattern options than cultured marble. Because Corian was the first of the solid-surface materials marketed for use as a countertop, the name often is used to refer to all solid surface materials, including brands made by other companies. Granite Countertops vs. Corian Countertops Appearance. How to Choose a Kitchen Backsplash to Match Your Countertop. Get daily tips and tricks for making your best home. Some homeowners prefer the look of natural granite as being decidedly better than solid-surface material—at least when the materials are viewed on their own. While granite is more expensive than Corian, the price difference isn’t that great. Corian. The installer generally computes this by adding the cost of the materials ($40 to $100 per square foot for the granite slab), plus a labor cost of $35 to $85 per hour. Granite is a natural product, and must be carefully mined and transported to avoid damage, which makes granite the lowest-tier option in terms of sustainability. Corian quartz countertops shown in Corriander and … Choose Granite if “natural” is your preference and Corian® if “renewable” is your preference. It can be stained, but discolorations are usually fairly easy to scrub out. Granite countertops that see heavy use, however, are prone to chipping or cracking over time. Solid-surface materials such as Corian are fairly easily scratched, but minor scratches and blemishes can be easily buffed out with an abrasive pad. Some homeowners prefer Corian to granite because of the uniform look and the ease of maintenance. Samantha Jones is the content specialist at Superior Stone and Cabinet, the to-go source for custom and wholesale cabinets in sunny Phoenix, AZ. Granite countertops are noted for having random graining patterns that make every countertop truly unique. Solid-surface material wins as the most water-resistance countertop material, but granite takes the top position when it comes to tolerance for heat. Seaming can be fairly well hidden, but the joints between slabs will always be evident to the sharp eye. Corian is a more forgiving material that is fairly easy to cut with ordinary woodworking tools. One advantage to Corian and other solid-surface materials is that pieces can be glued together with a solvent so that the seams are entirely invisible. Corian countertops are not very heat resistant and can only handle temperatures up to 212 degrees Fahrenheit before sustaining damage. For those on a budget, Corian is hands-down the easiest decision to make. Obviously, quartz has a lot of strong points going for it, while granite has its appeal as well. Select personalised content. So I am surprised. You’ve selected a new stove, beautiful cabinetry and countertops that are … Corian surfaces can be made to resemble quartz, marble, and granite countertops, as well as various other engineered or natural stones. We live in a world where there is a wealth of choices for kitchen countertops, from the ever-popular natural granite to synthetically-created materials. ft. on average (range is $35 - … Although both types of countertops are generally fabricated and installed by professionals, solid-surface material is considerably easier to work with than granite. She is also an avid reader. Corian is considered more attractive than cheaper countertop materials such as laminate or tile, but it is not as luxurious as granite. This is the least expensive option among stone countertop choices. One of the many advantages of Corian is that the countertops feature a nearly seamless joint. Solid surface materials are generally not available at home centers in the same way that sheets of aminate are available in-stock You will need to find a specialty building supply outlet that caters to the professional market in order to buy materials yourself. The debate over which countertop material is more beautiful is most often won by granite as opposed to corian. Granite Vs Corian Countertops. Granite Countertops: A Comparison, Pros and Cons of Popular Bathroom Countertop Materials, Solid Surface Countertops vs. Quartz Countertops, Corian vs. Silestone: What to Know Before You Buy, How to Repair a Cracked Solid Surface Countertop, 8 Surprising Things About Quartz (Engineered Stone) Countertops, Solid Surface Countertop Basics to Know Before You Buy. Corian vs. Corian countertops also tend to become discolored if exposed to high temperatures for a long time. Tile is much cheaper and offers the option of do-it-yourself installation. While granite is more expensive than Corian, the price difference isn’t that great. With some colors, the seam will be virtually invisible but with others, it’s fairly obvious where the seam is. Don’t worry, it’s way easier to care for than you think. But solid surface can cost as much as $120 per square foot when fabrication is complicated or when special colors or patterns are selected. Corian and other brands of solid-surface countertops are made with polymer resins (plastic), sometimes mixed with sand. If you are into naturally produced materials, then Corian Quartz maybe wouldn’t resonate with you. Related Reading: Learn more about the benefits and drawbacks of laminates here. Granite needs occasional sealing, while Corian doesn’t require sealing. Corian will scratch and does have a plastic type look. It has been the countertop material of choice for many than a decade now, regarded for its beauty and strength. The term granite is sometimes mistakenly used to refer to other stone-based counter materials such as quartz (engineered stone). Corian and other solid-surface countertops are generally easier to clean than granite. Corian, on the other hand, are made up of binding resins, various minerals, and dyes and other fillers that provide color and texture. Pros. The difference between various brands lies in the specific blends of resins and the pigments used. Pure granite countertops are made from slabs of natural igneous stone that are sawn from huge blocks of quarried granite. Corian and other solid-surface materials are generally warranted for 10 years; but in practice, they can easily last 30 years or more. Corian countertop will have seams if your countertop is large or has an irregular shape. Tile granite, though, does mean grout lines, which most people want to avoid on a kitchen countertop. It contains polymers and consists of about 33% acrylic resin. ft. on average (range is $35 - $200) Corian costs $45 - $65/sq. H.H. Create a personalised ads profile. Wood, plastic, granite, metal, concrete, tile, acrylic—they’re all used. Corian is weaker than Granite and Quartz, making is more susceptible to scratches, heat marks/scorching, and chemical damage by strong cleaners. You need to seal it as often as twice yearly, otherwise, it will stain. Budget-friendly Kitchen Countertops. Read on to find out which countertops are the cheapest and which are the most expensive. This makes the surfaces one of the cheapest countertop options that you can find. The mottled and often bold coloring of granite can be a bit too busy for many decorating schemes. Corian can be scorched by hot pans, thus requiring the use of hot pads, trivets, or cutting boards to protect it from extreme heat. Unlike a solid-surface material, every slab of granite has a one-of-a-kind appearance. Today’s homeowners have so many countertop options that they will have a hard time picking the right one for their needs. But Corian and other solid-surface materials are still regarded as superior to the other two most popular countertop materials—laminates and ceramic tile. Do-it-yourselfers have been known to build their own countertops, though finding a source for buying the material can be challenging. Corian offers more accessories such as integrated sinks and coved backsplashes. Use precise geolocation data. You’ll pay much more if you want a higher-quality, solid slab granite countertop. Swanstone, Formica, Wilsonart, and several other companies all make their own forms of solid-surface material, and virtually all of the virtues and drawbacks of Corian also apply to those other brands. But while granite is relatively scratch-proof, it is brittle and thus can crack quite easily. Learn more about the benefits and drawbacks of laminates here. Corian is a solid-surface countertop material introduced by DuPont in 1967 that quickly became a welcome alternative to the ubiquitous plastic laminate countertops of the 1970s. Once regarded as a high-end, premium countertop, solid-surface material has seen its reputation slip somewhat as engineered stone (quartz) countertops have emerged as the favorite second-tier countertop material after natural stone. Granite With all the building material options available for kitchens, baths, exterior spaces, fireplaces, and bars, homeowners may have a difficult time choosing the best fit for a building material. You can integrate it with stone, glass, and wood, and its pliability when heated at 325 degrees Fahrenheit allows it to be shaped, engraved, or carved however you want. Seventy-five years ago, stone and wood were the primary countertop choices; 25 years ago, laminate was clearly king of the hill. 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