Kitchen countertop advice

Hi everyone. Not sure I am posting my question in the proper group

Quoted message said:

but here goes. I want to replace my laminated countertops in kitchen.
I am leaning toward Corian. Anyone have this in their kitchen?
Anything you dislike about it? I did consider granite, but my
daughter has had problems with her year old granite. I also like the
subdued color choices of Corian. Someone at work mentioned boiling
water could not be poured in the sink. Strange? Anyone familiar with
Coring? Pat

Hi Pat,

I have Corian countertops and am quite happy with them. I also have a
Corian sink that is a part of the countertop. I've never damaged it with
boiling water, but found this on the DuPont site:

"Boiling water alone will not damage your Corian® sink, however it is a
recommended practice to run cold water from the faucet while pouring boiling
water into the sink."

I was just talking with someone who opted for Corian over granite and she
was told that granite should be resealed twice year. I thought it was only
once, but Corian doesn't require that type of maintenance.

Chris in Pearland, TX

(Pat Evans) said:

Hi  everyone.  Not sure I am  posting my question in the proper group
but here goes.  I want to replace my laminated countertops in kitchen.
I am leaning toward Corian.  Anyone have this  in their kitchen?
Anything you dislike about it?   I did consider granite,  but my
daughter has  had  problems with her year old granite.  I also like the
subdued color choices of Corian.  Someone  at work mentioned boiling
water could not be poured in the sink.  Strange?   Anyone familiar with
Coring?   Pat

You might take a look at Silestone while you're at it. The look &
feel of stone w/o the staining issues or need to seal regularly. Lots
of color choices. Have a serious foodie friend who installed it
several years ago & absolutely raves about it - gorgeous and easy
care. Not cheap - in the same ballpark as granite. I'll probably opt
for it when we replace our formica counters next year.

Nancy T

"Pat Evans" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Hi everyone. Not sure I am posting my question in the proper group
but here goes. I want to replace my laminated countertops in kitchen.
I am leaning toward Corian. Anyone have this in their kitchen?
Anything you dislike about it? I did consider granite, but my
daughter has had problems with her year old granite. I also like the
subdued color choices of Corian. Someone at work mentioned boiling
water could not be poured in the sink. Strange? Anyone familiar with
Coring? Pat

We replaced our countertops a couple of years ago with Corian and LOVE IT!
Easy to clean, no visible seams, plus when installed, the sink is PART of
the countertop - meaning no gaps, cracks or places where [censored] can leak
through or accumulate. The countertop just is sealed to the sink (like all
one piece). Makes clean-up a breeze.

We don't cut on it, though. Have plenty of cutting boards for that.

Van

ntantiques said:

(Pat Evans) said:

Hi �everyone. �Not sure I am �posting my question in the proper group
but here goes. �I want to replace my laminated countertops in kitchen.
I am leaning toward Corian. �Anyone have this �in their kitchen?
Anything you dislike about it? � I did consider granite, �but my
daughter has �had �problems with her year old granite. �I also like �the
subdued color choices of Corian. �Someone �at work mentioned boiling
water could not be poured in the sink. �Strange? � Anyone familiar with
Coring? � Pat

You might take a look at Silestone while you're at it. The look &
feel of stone w/o the staining issues or need to seal regularly. Lots
of color choices. Have a serious foodie friend who installed it
several years ago & absolutely raves about it - gorgeous and easy
care. Not cheap - in the same ballpark as granite. I'll probably opt
for it when we replace our formica counters next year.

Nancy T

Another vote for Silestone. We love ours. Easy easy maintenance. No
sealing. Can look plain or subdued like Corian or wild like some
granite. Stays nice and cold to the touch so is great for pastry
making. Has Microban mixed IN it for extra sanitation.

Melondy

In article <[email hidden]>, PatEvans447
@webtv.net says...

Quoted message said:

Hi everyone. Not sure I am posting my question in the proper group
but here goes. I want to replace my laminated countertops in kitchen.
I am leaning toward Corian. Anyone have this in their kitchen?
Anything you dislike about it? I did consider granite, but my
daughter has had problems with her year old granite. I also like the
subdued color choices of Corian. Someone at work mentioned boiling
water could not be poured in the sink. Strange? Anyone familiar with
Coring? Pat

Don't give up on granite. Good quality granite is extremely durable and
very attractive. Sounds like your daughter got low quality stone or
perhaps it was cut and installed wrong.

--
Peter Aitken

In article <[email hidden]>,
[email hidden] says...

Quoted message said:

I was just talking with someone who opted for Corian over granite and she
was told that granite should be resealed twice year. I thought it was only
once, but Corian doesn't require that type of maintenance.

It depends on the granite - we reseal once a year and it's fine. Takes
about 15 minutes, no big deal.
--
Peter Aitken

Pat Evans said:

Hi everyone. Not sure I am posting my question in the proper group
but here goes. I want to replace my laminated countertops in kitchen.
I am leaning toward Corian. Anyone have this in their kitchen?
Anything you dislike about it? I did consider granite, but my
daughter has had problems with her year old granite.

DuPont Corian was big in the 80's. It may give you a retro look. I don't
see it in any newer up end homes... and it is not cheap. In our market
Corian is a "tear out" on most remodels. There are a number of composite
materials on the market today. Check them all out. My preference is
granite and I have put it in several houses and have NEVER had a sealing
problem. Miracle Sealants makes some of the best sealants on the market
and I use one of their products for all natural surfaces.

http://www.miraclesealants.com/

To me Corian looks like Corian .. i.e. stands out in a negative way. I
would just as soon replace laminate with fresh laminate as to pay the price
of Corian. There are some nice laminates available these days.

jay

In article <[email hidden]>,
[email hidden] says...

Quoted message said:

DuPont Corian was big in the 80's. It may give you a retro look. I don't
see it in any newer up end homes... and it is not cheap.

I have to disagree with you. Certain Corian colors/patterns may look
retro, but there's nothing retro about the material itself. Corian (or
one of the many imitators) is common in high-end homes around here. We
have white corian for our wall countertops (granite for the island) and
after 7 years it still looks like new.

--
Peter Aitken

Peter A said:

In article <[email hidden]>,
[email hidden] says...

Quoted message said:

DuPont Corian was big in the 80's. It may give you a retro look. I don't
see it in any newer up end homes... and it is not cheap.

I have to disagree with you. Certain Corian colors/patterns may look
retro, but there's nothing retro about the material itself. Corian (or
one of the many imitators) is common in high-end homes around here. We
have white corian for our wall countertops (granite for the island) and
after 7 years it still looks like new.

Disagreement is good. If you like your Corian that is good also. Seven
years is nothing. My granite is Precambrian and it still looks really
good.

Your best case for the $$ is to like what you already have.

Here is a pro/con chart and it is written by someone that sells natural
surfaces.

http://www.stoneexpozone.com/p72.php3?id_noticia=9

"(note from stoneexpozone.com-Granite will never be sold because it has a
look that is very similar to a plastic-looking Corian color.....The fact
that Corian tries to make their product look like granite speaks volumes as
to which product is the most beautiful. For pure aesthetic beauty, Corian
does not come close to the richness, the depth, the polish, the power and
the naturally organic quality that is granite. The beauty of granite will
always sell itself."

If you get an honest answer as to why people buy Corian over granite.. the
answer most often will be.. it is cheaper than granite.

The Corian sinks are another whole set of disagreements. I wouldn't have
one.

For the OP. Look here and everywhere and decide for yourself.

jay

"Pat Evans" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Hi everyone. Not sure I am posting my question in the proper group
but here goes. I want to replace my laminated countertops in kitchen.
I am leaning toward Corian. Anyone have this in their kitchen?
Anything you dislike about it? I did consider granite, but my
daughter has had problems with her year old granite. I also like the
subdued color choices of Corian. Someone at work mentioned boiling
water could not be poured in the sink. Strange? Anyone familiar with
Coring? Pat

Corian is nice but quartz is much nicer.

--
Helen
in
FERGUS/HARLINGEN
http://www.mompeagram.homestead.com/index.html

"Pat Evans" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Hi everyone. Not sure I am posting my question in the proper group
but here goes. I want to replace my laminated countertops in kitchen.
I am leaning toward Corian. Anyone have this in their kitchen?
Anything you dislike about it? I did consider granite, but my
daughter has had problems with her year old granite. I also like the
subdued color choices of Corian. Someone at work mentioned boiling
water could not be poured in the sink. Strange? Anyone familiar with
Coring? Pat

After the 94 Northridge quake we had much of the house re-done. When it came
to the kitchen we went back to regular tile for a variety of reasons. One of the
main reasons was the cost of counter tops as well as the fact that we use the
kitchen counter top as a buffet serving area. I wanted a surface that easily
took a very hot pot or pan without being damaged.

The downside of tile is the edging. There is no good edge design, especially
when there is a spill. Because we have an oak table & chairs in the kitchen I
had a 4 inch piece of marine varnished oak put around the full edge of the
counters. The wood extends up 3/8 of an inch above the tile. Spills don't go
on the floor I just push a the spill into the sink.

Dimitri

Pat Evans said:

Hi everyone. Not sure I am posting my question in the proper group
but here goes. I want to replace my laminated countertops in kitchen.
I am leaning toward Corian. Anyone have this in their kitchen?
Anything you dislike about it? I did consider granite, but my
daughter has had problems with her year old granite. I also like the
subdued color choices of Corian. Someone at work mentioned boiling
water could not be poured in the sink. Strange? Anyone familiar with
Coring? Pat

We've had Corian sinks and countertops in the bathrooms since we moved
into this house 23 years ago. They are easy to clean, but I don't think
I'd want them in white again if we were replacing. I don't know about
boiling water, but I do know things like small scars can be sanded out.

Have you looked at the composites that mimic granite? Silestone is one
brand. They come in gorgeous colors and really do look like the real
thing without the care involved.

gloria p

another product AVONITE. cheaper than corian.

--

"ntantiques" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

(Pat Evans) said:

Hi everyone. Not sure I am posting my question in the proper group
but here goes. I want to replace my laminated countertops in kitchen.
I am leaning toward Corian. Anyone have this in their kitchen?
Anything you dislike about it? I did consider granite, but my
daughter has had problems with her year old granite. I also like the
subdued color choices of Corian. Someone at work mentioned boiling
water could not be poured in the sink. Strange? Anyone familiar with
Coring? Pat

You might take a look at Silestone while you're at it. The look &
feel of stone w/o the staining issues or need to seal regularly. Lots
of color choices. Have a serious foodie friend who installed it
several years ago & absolutely raves about it - gorgeous and easy
care. Not cheap - in the same ballpark as granite. I'll probably opt
for it when we replace our formica counters next year.

Nancy T

(Pat Evans) said:

Hi  everyone.  Not sure I am  posting my question in the proper group
but here goes.  I want to replace my laminated countertops in kitchen.
I am leaning toward Corian.  Anyone have this  in their kitchen?
Anything you dislike about it?   I did consider granite,  but my
daughter has  had  problems with her year old granite.  I also like the
subdued color choices of Corian.  Someone  at work mentioned boiling
water could not be poured in the sink.  Strange?   Anyone familiar with
Coring?   Pat

I have had both Corian and Granite. I prefer granite. Corian scratches
easily and stains, also I cannot put anything hot on the counter as it
may burn.

Have had granite for 2.5 years and I love it. It is a wonderful
surface for baking, rolling out dough, or candy making. It has not
scratched, and I can set a hot pan right out of the oven on it with no
problems.

Keeping it cvlean is no problem, I use a cleaner I squirt on, made for
granite, no problems with a film forming on it.

Go with the Granite.
Rosie

On Mon, 30 Apr 2007 22:31:54 -0400, [email hidden] (Pat Evans)

Quoted message said:

I did consider granite, but my
daughter has had problems with her year old granite.

Can you tell me more about her problems? I'd like to put granite in
my kitchen eventually. We installed granite counters downstairs in
the family room bar area last year. The counters haven't been sealed
to my knowledge, but they have been well used and I haven't noticed
anything to complain about to date.

--
See return address to reply by email

I know little about granite, but I will try to recall her complaints. I
believe she said it pitted after 6 months. (?) Since it is a dark
color, it shows dust especially in winter when heat is on. I do not
remember everything she told me. I do not care for dark colors in my
home. I did not like what I saw in light colored granite. Granite
seems to be extremely popular expecially dark colors, but it simply
doesn't appeal to me very much. I like the look of silestone and corian
better so will probably go with that product. I posted here to get
opinions and each of you have been helpful. Thanks to all of you. Pat

On Wed, 2 May 2007 21:21:59 -0400, [email hidden] (Pat Evans)

Quoted message said:

I know little about granite, but I will try to recall her complaints. I
believe she said it pitted after 6 months. (?) Since it is a dark
color, it shows dust especially in winter when heat is on. I do not
remember everything she told me. I do not care for dark colors in my
home. I did not like what I saw in light colored granite. Granite
seems to be extremely popular expecially dark colors, but it simply
doesn't appeal to me very much. I like the look of silestone and corian
better so will probably go with that product. I posted here to get
opinions and each of you have been helpful. Thanks to all of you. Pat

Thanks, Pat.

--
See return address to reply by email

Quoted message said:

I know little about granite, but I will try to recall her complaints. I
believe she said it pitted after 6 months. (?) Since it is a dark
color, it shows dust especially in winter when heat is on. I do not
remember everything she told me. I do not care for dark colors in my
home. I did not like what I saw in light colored granite. Granite
seems to be extremely popular expecially dark colors, but it simply
doesn't appeal to me very much. I like the look of silestone and corian
better so will probably go with that product. I posted here to get
opinions and each of you have been helpful. Thanks to all of you. Pat

Pat,

I think you'll be happy with your choice. I'm not very familiar with
silestone, but I do like my Corian.

My DIL changed her countertops to granite and while they are beautiful the
kitchen is so dark now with dark countertops, dark Pergo flooring, and all
black appliances.

Chris in Pearland, TX