Kitchen countertops: Granite vs Solid Surface (Corian)

[rolltide87]

My wife and I are in the process of remodeling our kitchen. We are trying to decide between granite and solid surface (like Corian). As an added factor, we have a two year old son who is all little boy who will likely not be concerned about any damage inflicted to said countertop over the coming years. Does anyone have experience with either or both? What are your thoughts on pros and cons and which would you choose? Thanks for any help.

 

[Tide&True]

My wife and I are in the process of remodeling our kitchen. We are trying to decide between granite and solid surface (like Corian). As an added factor, we have a two year old son who is all little boy who will likely not be concerned about any damage inflicted to said countertop over the coming years. Does anyone have experience with either or both? What are your thoughts on pros and cons and which would you choose? Thanks for any help.

From a looks standpoint it is hard to beat granite but I can also see the advantage of Corian...which makes less noise when you set something on it. Also, the Corian sinks are built out of the same material and appear seamless.

 

[cbi1972]

Granite feels cold and you can take a pan right off the stove and put it on the counter and it won't harm it. Dishes and glasses dropped onto granite are also more likely to break.

Corian melts at a temperature low enough that it can be attained in a normal kitchen. This property is what allows your Corian countertops and kitchen sink to be molded into a single seamless piece, but it also means you probably don't want to put a red hot frying pan on it.

Personally, I like Corian. My grandmother has had white Corian countertops for over 20 years in the best looking kitchen I have ever seen, and they have withstood constant use, while maintaining their beauty and functionality. But that's just my opinion, and there may be some positive associative bias there. Granite just doesn't look better to me than a uniformly clean, pure white surface. My S.O. likes granite, and if it ever comes down to choosing a new countertop surface, she's probably getting her way.

I found a thread on Ebay discussing the two:
Corian vs. Granite for countertops

 

[bamanut_aj]

I can only think of one house that I've ever done that used Corian. Get granite!

 

[Bodhisattva]

Granite rules. Corian is for losers.

 

[Bama Torch in Pcola]

Granite rules. Corian is for losers.

Typical elitist response. Harumph!

 

[Bodhisattva]

Anyone have stainless steel? I've seen a few custom homes with this setup. While not my preferred look, when done right it looks pretty sweet. It only works with large kitchens to get that "professional chef" look.

 

[Bodhisattva]

Typical elitist response. Harumph!

I pity the poor, wretched, granite-less masses.

 

[92tide]

ive heard good things about concrete for countertops

 

[SavannahDare]

Granite, granite, granite. Looks great, can't scorch it, and I love the color variations.

As for stainless steel, all our major appliances are stainless and we LOVE them.

We are now putting up molded tin (w/stainless steel powder coated finish) backsplashes and they are going to look amazing!!!

Remodeling the kitchen and bathroom have been the only upside to having to rebuild from Katrina.

 

[Jon]

Anyone have stainless steel? I've seen a few custom homes with this setup. While not my preferred look, when done right it looks pretty sweet. It only works with large kitchens to get that "professional chef" look.

i am in the process of doing a kitchen remodel as well and have looked at Stainless

I love it but is unbelievably expensive, in the range of 20-40 a square foot more than Granite. I believe we are going to use it in part of our new kitchen along with granite for the other surfaces

the main issue with Stainless, other than price is that it is very hard to keep clean.

Jon

 

[bamanut_aj]

you could always find some rough-hewn walnut and make a top of out that. It looks awesome.

 

[Vinny]

I would go with granite.

 

[Crimson Elite]

Go with the granite countertops.I love the stainless steele appliances, and plan to go with that next time.

 

[Bamabuzzard]

We just finished building a house and if it fits in your budget definitely go with granite.