Kitchen Countertops

[sikiguya]

Is someone out there knowledgeable about the differences in Corian, Silestone, and Granite? What are the pros and cons?

If you have a certain kind, please post and let me know what you like or dislike about it.

Thinking of upgrading from regular formica with a maple edge.

Thanks

 

[volvoguy87]

Go for the Corian!

While I don't know much about Silestone, I do know a little about Granite and Corian. Granite and Corian are usually very close together in price and they are both recognised as premium materials for countertops, I would vote for the Corian.
I know that some natural stone countertops must be periodically sealed. I do not know if granite falls into this catagorey, but if it does, and it is not sealed as a part of regular care, then the counter can start to become a home fo bacteria and germs. Also, Granite is hard, but brittle. Over time it will get scratched, chipped, dinged, and generally show a patina of age and use. While this is not bad, it may not be to your taste. Also, granite can become stained.
Corian is a synthetic material. It is a bit softer than granite and will show scratches, nicks, and dings more than Granite. Corian has a distinct advantage, however. To make old Corian look like new, have the countertops sanded and buffed, it will renew the surface at a fraction of the cost, and time, of new ones. Corian is less forgiving about heat than Granite, so don't put a boiling pot on the Corian, although it is better than Formica. Corian can be patched and a good installation will result in NO SEAMS. The piece of Corian cut to make the hole for the sink (use an undermount stainless steel sink, not a Corian one) is a good cutting bored, trivet, or heavy serving tray.
Whatever you choose, get a solid countertop, not tile of any kind. While tile looks great, it is a royal pain to clean. The tiles come clean in an instant, but the grout between...
Go for the Corian, my mother got it and loves it. It is super-easy to clean and live with, it looks great, and it will continue to do so for decades. If ever it looks worn and tired, sand, buff, and it's like having new countertops again!
Do not go to a "big-box" store for this purchase. Go to a showroom that specializes in kitchens. They will be the most knowledgable about this kind of thing, and will be able to give you information on the entire product line, as opposed to the lower end or most popular versions.

I hope this has been of some help,
Dave

 

[rickr]

.

Go for the granite, I have had it for four years and love it. Nothing can beat the natural beauty, or durablilty. Scratch proof, burn proof, chip proof, and fade proof.

 

[rickr]

.

close up.

 

[bingwsguy]

Granite

I am a Kitchen and Bath Designer and of the 3 (Granite, Silestone, or Corian) Granite is the most durable and beautiful surface. Corian is an acyrlic product...while it's seams can be virtually invisible and it has dozens of color choices, it is likely to sustain scratches/gouges and burns, which sound easy enough to repair, but are actually difficult to do. Silestone is natural quartz stone that is crushed, then mixed with a polyester resin and rolled into slabs. It's characteristics (scratch,stain,and burn resistance) are simialr to Granite...since Granite is comprised mainly of quartz. It does not need to be sealed, but compare a slab of Silestone to a similar color/pattern of Granite, and one look should help you decide. Silestone is quite "flat" and has a very consistant pattern while Granite has more variation and depth because of the way it reflects/refracts light...quite beautiful. If you can spray windex, you can seal Granite...it's that simple. Done twice a year, Granite will repel almost any stain. Square foot pricing is very close between Silestone and Granite, and Corian comes in a runner up.


Joe

 

[rickr]

.

Here is a much better close up, with a much better digital camera. Steve (Helical Drive) took this shot during his vist here, as we were making drinks a couple weeks ago. One can really notice the detail and natural beauty of the stone in this photo.

 

[jonv112]

I personally have a black granite countertop, and love it. The only problem I have with it is that I have a couple nticeable scratches that came from sliding some items across. The nice thing about Corian or other solid surfaces is that you can ask a professional to sand and buff away the minor surface scratches because it has the same pattern throughout the entire slab. I would choose granite hands down for looks, as Silestone looks too "artificial" for me, but I like the idea of it being completely 100% non-porous, and that it has Microban infused in the bonding agent as well.

 

[sikiguya]

Thanks!

Rick-BEAUTIFUL kitchen!!! I love it. It looks so homey (is that a word?). What color granite is that? Uba Tuba? I like Alsolute Black or Black Galaxy. All my appliances are black, even my KitchenAid mixer.

Dave-Thanks for your recommendations. I certainly will check out the differences at the store before I make my decision.

Joe-Thanks for your input as a professional. I am getting quotes for around $65-69/sq ft for granite, the same price for Silestone, and Corian is about $53. The price differences are so small when you are only dealing with approx. 55 sq feet of countertop plus backsplash.

Here is a picture of my kitchen before we bought the house. The countertops are formica with a maple beveled edge. The reason I am wanting up upgrade is that in the price range of our house & neighborhood, when we go to sell the house in a couple of years, the buyer will expect granite/solid surface countertops and I want to have the oppotunity to use them!

 

[maytagbear]

One thing about

granite, and Silestone, is that they can be very hard on dishware, and glassware, while Corian (and similar,) are easier on dishware and glassware.

When I get to do my own kitchen, I plan on having several counter surfaces. Corian (or similar) generally, a large length of end-grain maple for baking work, and sections of stainless steel around the cooktops and ovens.

In this current rental kitchen, it's Formica, with a "bull nose" edge. It's not awful, but just not my first choice.

Lawrence/Maytagbear

 

[rickr]

Thanks Heather! The kitchen was my own design. They called the colour of my granite "green" but it's solid black with green, gold, and silver in direct light. In low light the countertops look solid black.
I went to the stone cutters warehouse and picked out my own slab. It was about a foot thick at that time, and only polished on one side. I would recommend going to see the stone first. Don't settle for trying to pick from a tiny square. Allow a couple of hours at the stone cutting place. There are so many to choose from.
They had one slab at the stone place that I fell in love with. It was solid black with small neon looking blue "eyes" in it! Just soooooo cool!! That slab was not large enough to do my kitchen however, and that slab had come from Africa. My slab came from somewhere in Europe, cannot recall what country.

Love your kitchen Heather! Nice,roomy, and open, like modern kitchens usually are.
Please post some after photos for us, if you will.

Rick

 

[oxydolfan]

Beautiful kitchens.

rickr, what is the name of that soft light green paint you've used on the kitchen walls? I keep trying to find a color just like that, but my testers always come up too harsh.

Really nice color!

 

[veg-o-matic]

Formica!

Formica, I say!
Aqua Formica with boomerangs!

veg

 

[rickr]

Sorry Scott, I looked and the label is unreadable on the can. It came from Lowes. I wanted that 1920's early 1930's mint green. Found one that would work, and picked it. Was trying for a sort of "deco" look, even though my home is from the 1880's.

Hi Veggie! Do you really think that aqua formica boomerang countertops would add to the resale value of Heathers house? lol!! One never knows, but I'll bet you $5.00 you can't talk her into that! :>

 

[scott55405]

Rick, I think your kitchen looks very handsome and nicely complements the type of house that it is. Is your fridge a Kelvinator by any chance? I remember they always had handles like that.

 

[scott55405]

Sikiguya, you have a very handsome kitchen too! Whatever solid surface you choose I know will be a very nice addition to it! I have friends who made that countertop transformation in a very nice kitchen not unlike yours, and it was really amazing what it added to it.

 

[petek]

Rick,what would your house have had originally, ceramic tiles on the countertop or are those still newer than the house

 

[dalangdon]

Personally, I would go with Formica: Easier and cheaper to switch out when you get tired of it, more forgiving on dishes, glasses, tools and people, and - just my opinion again - cheerier.

That's the same reason why I would never do a tile or stone kitchen floor: It's too hard on the feet and back.

I know people like the harder surfaces, and I'll grant they are handsome. Just not for me.

 

[toggleswitch]

Personally, I beleive the granite to be a period fad and will one day make a kitchen look "dated"

I'm not one for "excessive" wood (it's a locational thing) but I REALLY like the countertop in that photo.[Editor's note: Wood and gold/brass are more "country" in nature and not seen much here).

Also, if YOU love the granite and the Corian go for it. Future buyers may have taste that differs from yours and may want a totally different color.... or SS or concrete or tile coutertops..or something equally impractical.

BTW. Impressive number of outlets (power-points). If the oven is electric and the cooktop gas *YAY* to the best of both worlds. Me? I'd find a way to vent the mirco-range-hood and love that kitchen just as it is!

Here is my philosophy (as if you didn't expect my opinion rammed down your throat. *LOL*) Get one of everything first, BEFORE you start replacing what you already have. Perhaps an alarm system or some other built-in will add equal value to the house.

Best of luck and health and happiness in your home!

 

[gansky1]

If you really want solid-surface, I would do granite or a darker color Corian. Both have disadvantages, as do any surfaces subjected to wear and tear, but my preference would be granite. I have cleaned all types in my work and hands-down, the granite is always better looking 5-10 years down the road than Corian. If you do decide on Corian, darker colors will hide stains and nicks a little better and don't do the integrated sink - every one of them I've seen has stains and show many signs of wear. Do and undermount in stainless or other material more durable than plastic. I haven't seen much of the Silestone yet, but it looks like it could be promising.