Corian or granite?

[Deb in IA]

We are remodeling our kitchen next spring, and will be replacing our Formica countertops.

We are probably going to go with either Corian or granite.

Can anyone give me any recommendations on either one? If you have one of these, please tell me what you like or dislike about it.

THANKS!!

 

[mom2rb]

I don't care for Corian. I love my granite. You didn't ask about Silestone. My aunt has it and it looks great.

 

[GRUMPY PIRATE]

We went with corian, simply because it can be repaired if there is an accident, granite can chip, and you can't repair it to be invisible!

(where in IOWA??)(nevermind, just need to read your location!!)

 

[Ciao Mickey]

I would get granite.

Looks nicer, easier to keep clean, and better for resale.

 

[Galahad]

I love my granite. You didn't ask about Silestone.

We have Silestone and love it. Similar price to granite. Never needs treating. Never stains with hot things placed on it. That would be my vote. But between Corian and granite I'd vote granite.

 

[mom2grace]

Only get granite if you really LOVE it!

We have it in our kitchen in a home we bought "used", and I don't like it at all. I don't like how it looks, ours is a brown/tan/black. Not uniform enough for me.

But, it's the "thing"! I would love to rip it out, but I know it's worth a "fortune"

My dad had corian and I really liked it, his was white and really easy to keep clean. I have heard that you can have corian resanded to get it looking new again.

 

[Deb in IA]

Hadn't heard of Silestone before.

Great! Yet another choice!! As if there aren't enough already!!

Just kidding! I really do appreciate the suggestions! It's just that, as with any house project, what starts off as something simple gets more complex with more and more decisions!!

 

[Galahad]

Hadn't heard of Silestone before.

Great! Yet another choice!! As if there aren't enough already!!

Just kidding! I really do appreciate the suggestions! It's just that, as with any house project, what starts off as something simple gets more complex with more and more decisions!!

It's quartz, so it's stone, like granite. It's been "processed" though and formed into the shape of the counter top so it's not just a "natural" slab of stone. But indestructible.

This is a long thread, but lots of great remodelling discussion:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1379800

 

[jrmasm]

The granite is the best money that we spent when we built our house. I could move to another house but would sell my children before I'd live without granite.

We chose a mid brownish/dark tan with black flecks. It's a crumb hider and unlike dark granites, is super easy to keep looking nice. Very neutral too.

I didn't look at Silestone but didn't like Zodiac because it had a weird scaley finish.

 

[mickeyboat]

We have granite and I love it. I love being able to set hot things on it and I love how it cleans.

Denae

eta - the kids can't damage it with their art projects, glue and paint. Everything comes off of it. Because of the pattern, you can't really see if there is some dirt or crumbs on it.

 

[LilBlackSheep]

Granite...in a heartbeat. We are just putting the finishing touches on our kitchen redo and we went with granite.

Corian was....plain, looked too plasticky and manufactured to us.

 

[RadioNate]

granite or silestone, corian is already become 'dated'

 

[MareQ]

I have had both Corian and Granite - DEFINITELY get Granite. Corian scratches, yes it can be repaired but it's a pain, it also is not heat resistant which is a huge negative for me.

 

[Stepht5]

We have Silestone and love it. Similar price to granite. Never needs treating. Never stains with hot things placed on it. That would be my vote. But between Corian and granite I'd vote granite.

We put SIlestone in our Kitchen last summer and LOVE it!!! It has microban properties that other countertops don't have.

 

[KimR]

We went with corian, simply because it can be repaired if there is an accident, granite can chip, and you can't repair it to be invisible!

That's what I thought until a huge chunk of our countertop chipped off. They came out and repaired it (at no cost!) and you really cannot tell at all. Ours is a very non-uniform pattern, though, so maybe that helps.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

I have granite and love it, however there is a chipping factor. I have chipped the edges by the sink.
Not too bad but it is there.

It when I am doing dishes and I guess I bang a utensil or the dish brush.
I have to watch it now.

I will have to look into Silestone for our next house.

 

[mickeyfan2]

Put in what you like, since you have to live with it. Granite is now on it's way out. If you were selling last year I would have told you to do granite, but the times are changing and with the downturn in housing granite will not get you back your money. Granite can be stained and needs to be treated yearly or more often, so it is not a carefree option as many think.

 

[jrmasm]

Put in what you like, since you have to live with it. Granite is now on it's way out. If you were selling last year I would have told you to do granite, but the times are changing and with the downturn in housing granite will not get you back your money. Granite can be stained and needs to be treated yearly or more often, so it is not a carefree option as many think.

That should say SOME granites.....most do not. The lighter the color, the more pourous and the more likely to stain and need repeated sealing. Dark stones, which are most popular, usually do not require any special treatment.

 

[mickeyboat]

That should say SOME granites.....most do not. The lighter the color, the more pourous and the more likely to stain and need repeated sealing. Dark stones, which are most popular, usually do not require any special treatment.

I am glad you said that. We have a dark stone, and have never treated it. It still looks like brand new.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

My granite is also dark and hard and no way it is going to stain.
We have never treated it.