Corian Countertops Review - Beautiful, strong, versatile. Those are 3 words that come to mind when talking about Corian countertops. Countertops are more than just a pretty finishing touch when your kitchen is nearing completion or you are thinking about remodeling. They do need to complement your decor, but should be very functional. They need to handle platters and plates when you're preparing Thanksgiving dinner; they need to give you a hand when you're unloading groceries or making your morning coffee; and they should provide you the room and freedom to release your inner chef. Kitchen countertops are amazingly multifunctional - they are informal dining areas, mini bakeries, prep cook stations, and more. If you have ever cooked in a kitchen with very little counter space, then you have a true appreciation of the importance of countertops. As such an indispensible part of your kitchen, it is important that your countertops are not only beautiful, but strong and durable as well. When you're not willing to sacrifice form for function or function for form, there is one name that stands apart: Corian. Sacrifice nothing, get everything.
What is Corian? - DuPont is in your home, in your mailbox, in your garden, your car, your workplace. The 208 year old company was founded on the principle that science could improve your daily life and make the world a better place. This has been DuPont's guiding force all these years, and through tireless research and development, the company has brought innovative products like Kevlar, Tyvek, Neoprene, Teflon, and Corian to the world. Corian is a solid, nonporous material that DuPont developed for use on your kitchen and bathroom counters, though the material is so versatile that it can be used in any number of applications. It is a great countertop material because:
*The solid surface is extremely stain-resistant.
*Corian is heat-resistant to 212 degrees F (but good policy is not to place hot pots and pans right on it),
*It is resistant to bacteria and mold growth.
*It is seamless so water, dirt, mold, fungus, and bacteria can't propagate under your kitchen countertop - that's a lovely image, isn't it?
*Corian is NSF/ANSI 51 Certified, which indicates that it is food-safe. Your countertops need not only to be beautiful and versatile; they need to be safe for you and your family.
Why Choose Corian? - Why not choose granite countertops? Why not marble countertops, or quartz? All of these are beautiful and top quality materials with which to top your counters. Many people opt for granite because of the available colors and patterns and its heat, scratch, and dent resistance. This is a great choice; but Corian is ideal for many people because it has a smooth, more uniform appearance and surface. It is very stain-resistant, and you can opt for Corian backsplashes and other components that create an even more seamless look and keep debris, moisture, and other goodies from falling into cracks and crevices in your kitchen. Another reason to choose Corian is if you like your glasses. If you've ever set a dish down too vigorously on a granite countertop, you know what happens. You will be cleaning up a million little shards of glass or ceramic. The learning curve on that one is probably pretty short, but if you can avoid glass splinters, all the better.
Caring for and Maintaining Your Corian Countertops - If you are remodeling or building your kitchen, Corian offers a solution that will ensure that it will be a one-time job. Corian countertops are durable and will last through years of use. But you have to clean them. There's always something, isn't there? But DuPont created Corian to be very easy to maintain so you can spend more time worrying about the important things in life rather than scrubbing your kitchen. While Corian countertops come in high gloss, semi-gloss, and matte/satin finishes, most people choose matte/satin. Cleaning is simple, but you do need to keep a few things in mind:
*Use soapy water, ammonia-based cleaners, and commercial solid surface cleaners for routine care of your counters.
*Dark Corian finishes require a bit more care than lighter ones to maintain their appearance.
*Wipe countertops completely dry after spills or cleaning so a film doesn't build up.
*Remove hard water marks with a product like Lime-A-Way or CLR.
*Tough residue may be removed by Deep Cleaner for DuPont Corian, made by Stone Care International.
Scratches and blotchy appearances can be fixed by using a mild abrasive liquid cleaner. Rub over the affected area in circular motions, and then rinse with clean water. Make sure the surface is completely dry. This should restore the appearance of your countertop. To avoid damaging your countertops:
*Don't place hot pots, pans, and other objects directly on the counters. Use a hot pad or trivet.
*Don't cut directly on the countertops. Make sure to use a cutting board because deep scratches may mean that you will have to resurface your countertops.
When your Corian countertops are installed, DuPont will make sure that you have all the cleaning and maintenance information you need to keep your counters looking their best..
The Corian Countertop Color Palette:
One of the criticisms of DuPont's Corian line was that the color options were limited and somewhat boring and dull. Since you are not boring and dull, and boring and dull makes your life sad, DuPont has dramatically expanded your choices. Today, Corian comes in a wide range of solid colors and whites, but also metallics and finishes that look like marble, granite, and quartz. The depth and richness of these options are incredible; rest assured that your kitchen will look anything but boring, especially in Rompeii Red. Caldissimo! DuPont has made a name for itself over the past two centuries by providing what the consumer wants and needs: you wanted color, and they delivered. They continue to develop new and interesting color families from which to choose.
Corian Countertops Prices - How much do Corian Counters Cost?:
Corian is available through official retailers nationwide. To find a Corian retailer in your area, simply go to DuPont's Corian website and use the store locator tool (http://www2.dupont.com/Surfaces/en_US/where_to_buy/store_locator.html). A list of nearby retailers will be generated. A certified fabricator/installer must install your Corian surfaces, so your retailer will help you select the best option. A technician will do a complimentary visit to discuss your options and measure the spaces you wish to be covered. You will get a free estimate and are under no obligation to purchase Corian.
When you decide to purchase, an installer will come to your home and put in your countertops. There's no nice way to say this: kitchen remodeling is a nightmare. You have workmen all over, plumbing ripped up, you can't do anything. DuPont countertops, on the other hand, are installed within one day. The inconvenience of having your plumbing and electricity interrupted is kept to a bare minimum so you can enjoy your kitchen in peace, not in pieces.
You can either call a nearby retailer or fill out the online request form at the DuPont Corian site and a retailer will contact you.
Now, on to the important stuff: how much does Corian cost? DuPont has an estimation tool to give you an idea of what you will be spending. Measure your countertops and select a color, then measure your backsplash and select the color you want for that. Select the edge treatment and color from the list, and then click "Your Estimate" to generate a general price range. This is an estimate only because the prices will vary among retailers. Let's do an example to give you a sense of the prices:
We have 28.3 square feet of countertop space. We have 5.2 square feet of backsplash for a total of 33.5 square feet. You choose Pompeii Red for the counters and Bronze Patina for the backsplash (you can choose anything you like). The price estimate is $2080 and $2889. This does not include any extra features you select or include work done to rip out your old countertops and do electrical or plumbing work.
You can also choose to purchase a Corian sink. For our example, we choose a 15-inch x 15-inch bowl sink. This increases the price by about $433 (there is a wide variety of sinks available).
Assuming you do opt for the sink, that puts the basic price at below $3500. Add a bit for the installation and work. Is this too much? Consider that the average kitchen remodeling job costs between $15,000 and $20,000. And Corian has other advantages as well, including allowing you to have access and use of your kitchen in under a few days, as opposed to weeks. You can achieve an entirely new decor very simply and for a fraction of the price. Remember, too, that with care, your countertops will last for years, adding beauty and versatility to your kitchen. You can find Stone Care International's cleaning products and other Corian care products at Amazon. For beauty that lasts, choose Corian.
Do you have a quality site or product that belongs in this guide? We are always happy to evaluate or review new products and websites. Feel free to contact us at the email address below and let us know about you. If you have a demo product you'd like us to look at, please contact us before sending anything. Thank you.