Langhaven Posted February 5, 2009 Share Posted February 5, 2009 I need to replace my tile countertop and want to go with something that is durable - (6 kids, lots of cooking, crafts, and company). Would you please give suggestions on what you would choose in a countertop and why? I would love to be able to not have to worry about using coasters, or have staining issues or cleaner restrictions, if possible, as I'm sure my kids will not remember these types of rules. Thank you! Pam Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ria Posted February 5, 2009 Share Posted February 5, 2009 Corian. I much prefer it to granite, which has seams, can crack, and can stain. Corian can be sanded down in case of scratches. We've got 6 kids and have been extremely pleased with our choice of Corian. Ria Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marie in Oh Posted February 5, 2009 Share Posted February 5, 2009 We have 7 kids and we did Corian over Granite/ Quartz. It is awsome--durable, looks great, easy to clean, etc. And if something happens to it, since it is a solid surface (the same throughout) you can sand it out and you'll never know it is there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Langhaven Posted February 5, 2009 Author Share Posted February 5, 2009 1. Did you choose a light shade - is there a variety of colors and a preference functionally between light and dark? 2. Also - how does corian over granite work? 3. Nail biting issue. I live in a small community and the decorator that I used for previous projects just retired. The replacement sounds very young and admittedly inexperienced. Is this an issue with a simple counter replacement, or should I seek someone else to coordinate this? I'm very inexperienced myself! You guys are great! - Pam Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marie in Oh Posted February 5, 2009 Share Posted February 5, 2009 Deep forest green on oak cabinets. There is every color imaginable and there are off brands from the Corian name brand that are cheaper but the same substance. I am not sure what you mean by Corian over Granite working? I would go to a kitchen cabinet gallery and see what you like. I think the Corian has to be installed by a certified person to count the warrenty if I am not mistaken. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4summergirls Posted February 5, 2009 Share Posted February 5, 2009 We got Silestone about a year ago and love it. It's an engineered quartz, which means its about 95% ground up stone with 5% resin and binder put in so you can get about any color you want, with different grain sizes available too. We've got Corian in our bathroom, and I prefer it to Corian becuase it has a more natural stone look, but doesn't require any maintenance or sealant like granite. Threre are a couple other brands besides Silestone, Cambria (I think) and I can're remember the other one. Check them out - Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jann in TX Posted February 5, 2009 Share Posted February 5, 2009 SileStone is a manufactured 'granite'--made with 90% + rock. It looks and feels like granite--but it comes with a warranty--and is extremely easy to care for. SileStone does not have the scratching issues that Corian has--and in our case it cost less too! We've had ours for over 6 years--no stains, cracks, chips, scratches--it still looks just like new (when the counters are clean that is!). We chose a 'blue' color--with white and cinnamon rocks. We have a LARGE kitchen with lots of white cabinets--we needed some color (walls are tiled--floor is cinnamon colored stained concrete). It still looks neutral. There are LOTS of choices for colors and edges (we have 2 inch rounded edges). Clean up is easy--any kitchen cleaner (or even hot water) will loosen any debris--then just wipe away. I've never had to 'scrub'. I do put a towel down before placing hot dishes on the counter--more to protect the dishes from the temp change than anything else. I roll my pie crusts, cinnamon rolls and cookies out right on the cool counter... We ordered ours through Home Depot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Veritaserum Posted February 5, 2009 Share Posted February 5, 2009 We've had avonite (like Corian) and granite. I prefer the granite, but both are good. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Langhaven Posted February 5, 2009 Author Share Posted February 5, 2009 (edited) I just realized that I misunderstood what you meant by "corian over granite." Duh on my part. Pam Edited February 5, 2009 by Langhaven Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Suzanne in ABQ Posted February 5, 2009 Share Posted February 5, 2009 I'll third the Corian. I've had mine for four years, and I still love it! I wouldn't mind the Silestone, either, but it was more expensive. One thing Corian can give you, that even Silestone can't (I dont' think), is an integrated sink. I love that there is absolutely no seam or ridge or gap between the countertops and the sink. All water, crumbs, etc, just *swoosh* into the sink to be rinsed away. I don't have crumbs and gunk getting trapped in little gaps. Ease of cleaning is a huge plus for me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jennifer in MI Posted February 5, 2009 Share Posted February 5, 2009 We have quartz too. We chose it over granite because there is no upkeep. I put hot dishes straight on it. I roll out my bread right on it. I love it!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AuntieM Posted February 5, 2009 Share Posted February 5, 2009 I love the look of the granite. I love that I can set hot stuff right on it. I love the natural stone look and that I can roll dough right on it. I love Corian, because I love an undermount, seamless sink. With granite, you will have some sort of seam around the top edge of the sink, even if it is an undermount. Seems to catch a lot of junk. A word on the Corian - do not go with an off brand, get the real stuff! Especially if the sink will be white. The Corian, although it appeared to stain, could always be very easily cleaned. The first time my off brand white sink got stained by food, it took all the elbow grease I had in me to get it clean again, but it never again looked as good as new. If you go with Corian, I'd recommend a medium tone. My MIL has a smooth dark Corian, and it shows everything. They had to buff off a scratch, and ended up having to buff out the entire breakfast bar to match. Maybe that was just a fluke, but it was their experience. I really wanted the dark green marble-looking Corian, but that incident made me wonder about how it would hold up. Perhaps others have had better experiences with dark colors. If I could dream up my perfect kitchen, it would have a granite under-cabinet countertop and a Corian topped island with sink. That way I could incorporate both in complementary tones. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CalicoKat Posted February 6, 2009 Share Posted February 6, 2009 I need to replace my tile countertop and want to go with something that is durable - (6 kids, lots of cooking, crafts, and company). Would you please give suggestions on what you would choose in a countertop and why? I would love to be able to not have to worry about using coasters, or have staining issues or cleaner restrictions, if possible, as I'm sure my kids will not remember these types of rules. Thank you! Pam Concrete. I've been looking into this a bit myself and I think that a stained concrete counter top looks lovely, is durable, flexible for big families. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ria Posted February 6, 2009 Share Posted February 6, 2009 My Corian is a sand color, with darker flecks of brown. Very pretty and light, but not too light. Silestone is excellent, too...dh's parents have it and it's wonderful. Similar to Corian in upkeep. Ria Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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