A couple of weeks ago, I shared our new white kitchen with all of you. I received a lot of nice comments about our kitchen (thank you!), and also lots of questions about the countertops. So today, I’ll explain why we chose Corian (solid-surface) countertops for our kitchen.
Kitchen Countertops
There are many great countertop choices for kitchens these days. Laminate countertops are economical, and there are some decent looking options now. Granite and quartz (engineered stone) countertops are both very popular right now. Concrete and stainless steel are a couple more options.
Each of these choices have their pros and cons, but my favorite countertop choice is Corian. (This is not a sponsered post, I’m not getting paid to talk about how much I like Corian countertops. Just letting you know why I like them so much!)
I have loved the look and feel of Corian countertops for a long time. Some of the things that I love about them are:
- They have a matte finish – unlike the shiny finish that granite or quartz countertops have.
- I love that solid-surface countertops are seamless, or can be made to look seamless. I like that the countertop and sinks are made as one piece. The sinks for granite and quartz counter tops are usually undermounted.
- They are non-porous and are fairly stain resistant. If the countertop does get stained, it’s easily cleaned with Comet or Barkeeper’s Friend.
- They don’t feel as cold and hard as granite or quartz.
- They are repairable if they get a scratch or chip.
The one down-side to Corian countertops is that they aren’t heat-resistant. If you place a hot pan on the countertop, it can burn it. Since I’ve always had laminate countertops, and I’ve never put hot pots or pans directly on the countertop, that wasn’t a big deal to me.
The Corian pattern that we picked out is Rain Cloud.
I love that it looks like Carrara marble, but is much more practical and less expensive than marble.
We love the new countertops!
What is your favorite type of countertop?
Here’s what we changed in the kitchen (and the posts with further details):
Soffit
Painted Cabinets
Painted Cabinets Update
Cabinet Knobs
Pantry
Pantry Update
Microwave Cabinet
Countertops
Backsplash
Stools
Peninsula
Roman Shade Valance
Hardwood Floors
Painted Trim
I’m joining these parties!
Linda says
April 6, 2015 at 6:51 amThank you for this post. Soon we will redo our kitchen. At the cabinet store it seemed our choices were granite or Quartz. I want neither. I don’t like granite and Quartz is out of the budget. I too like the look of Corian. Thank you for the great pointers.!
Jann says
April 6, 2015 at 7:20 amThanks Linda! I’m glad the post was helpful! I really like the look of Corian.
Laura says
April 6, 2015 at 8:55 amThey are beautiful Jann. My mother just chose the very same thing so I will be showing her your post!
Jann says
April 6, 2015 at 1:28 pmThanks Laura! That’s funny that your mom chose the same counter top! I hope that she loves it as much as I do.
Jeanette says
April 6, 2015 at 11:47 amWe have had corian tops for about 20 years. Love them but I wish I had chosen a deeper color. I chose a light almond at the time as it made the kitchen look larger. Now the trend is for darker…..I also think they have the best sink on the market. Easy Easy to clean….
Jann says
April 6, 2015 at 1:29 pmJeanette, I love how easy to clean the sink is too. It’s so hard to pick something timeless!
mrsben says
April 6, 2015 at 11:53 amI followed your numerous renovation links and IMHO you really did a marvelous job! (Flooring, kitchen cabinet upgrade etc.) Regarding the Corian you chose which I love BTW, may I ask did you pair it up with a white, off white or bisque coloured sink? (Thank you.) -Brenda-
Jann says
April 6, 2015 at 1:31 pmThanks! We’re happy with how things have turned out. Stay tuned, I have quite a few more posts about the reno planned. We went with the whte sink.
mrsben says
April 6, 2015 at 6:21 pmThank you Jann. ☺ -Brenda-
Sylvia says
April 8, 2015 at 12:43 amI choose Quartz composite counters, they are very durable, antibacterial & do not need to be sealed
I also prefer undermounted composite granite sinks, non staining, no scratches or chipping.
J @ A Hot Southern Mess says
April 10, 2015 at 8:42 amVery very pretty kitchen! I am at the beginning stages of upgrading my builder-grade kitchen. We are putting in white cabinets (love yours by the way) and possibly upgrading out counter tops. We currently have laminate, but it is in great shape. My parents have Corian and love it. I am on the fence right now. Loving your green stools too. Such a fresh kitchen!
Jann says
April 10, 2015 at 9:47 amThanks J! Much luck with your kitchen reno!
Sam @ PancakeWarriors says
April 10, 2015 at 10:17 amI worked in a granite shop in college. I was always surprised when people wanted marble in the kitchen. I had to tell them a million times it was not practical! This turned out fantastic though!
Jann says
April 10, 2015 at 12:37 pmThanks Sam! I’m really happy with the durability of the Corian, and the look of marble with this design.
Lydia @ Thrifty Frugal Mom says
April 10, 2015 at 10:19 amI love the looks of it and think I would like to try it if we ever get around to redoing our kitchen…which we are hoping too! How does it compare in price to the other kinds of counters? Maybe you mentioned it….if I so, I missed it. 🙂
Jann says
April 10, 2015 at 12:38 pmThanks Lydia! The Corian is more expensive than the laminate, of course, but not quite as expensive as the quartz or granite.
Ashley ~ 3 Little Greenwoods says
April 10, 2015 at 12:49 pmOh how I would love to trade in our busy patterned granite for this fabulous white countertop! Thanks so much for all the information and sharing your kitchen!
Jann says
April 10, 2015 at 1:25 pmThanks Ashley! I’ve never been a fan of the busy granite myself. I know a lot of people do like it though. I think, for me, even if I liked it when it was installed, I would get tired of it pretty quickly. I was trying to go for timeless with our kitchen reno, and I’m hoping that I don’t get tired of the new countertop!
Annette Browning says
April 11, 2015 at 8:32 amVery timely article! My counters are completely torn up at the moment, waiting for the new ones to be installed! I can’t wait for my new kitchen!
Jann says
April 11, 2015 at 8:46 amHow exciting Annette! Though I don’t envy the torn up kitchen! It’ll all be worth it though.
Kim says
April 11, 2015 at 2:23 pmYour countertops are beautiful, Jann. The motion of the swirls resembles granite but without the shine. Great choice!
Jann says
April 11, 2015 at 2:46 pmThanks Kim! We’re really happy with it!
Sheila says
April 11, 2015 at 5:51 pmWow, those countertops are beautiful. I think you made a wonderful choice. They really look nice in your kitchen. We have laminate counter tops in the house we bought. They are fine but not as snazzy looking as yours are 🙂
Jann says
April 11, 2015 at 8:33 pmThanks Sheila!
Stacey says
April 16, 2015 at 2:57 pmYour kitchen is beautiful. We had Corian counters at our last house and I loved them. They were also matte finish. After 11 years we replaced them with granite because we wanted a change. I would say I’m equally happy with both.
Jann says
April 16, 2015 at 3:49 pmThanks Stacey! That’s great that you love your new countertops too!
Kristi @ Chatfield Court says
April 21, 2015 at 4:27 amYour kitchen looks beautiful Jann. Love your new countertops. We are in the middle of a kitchen reno right now and we’re still trying to decide on countertops. Thanks for all the useful info.
Jann says
April 21, 2015 at 7:07 amThanks Kristi! Good luck with your reno! As you know, having the kitchen torn up is the worst, hope it all goes fast and easy for you.
Deborah says
April 21, 2015 at 9:35 amI love my Corian countertops for the exact reasons you do. Ditto.
Jann says
April 21, 2015 at 3:52 pmThanks Deborah!