Corian Countertops

Corian, produced by DuPont, is a solid surface countertop material that is made from an acrylic polymer and alumina trihydrate. Corian countertops are an easy to care for countertop surface that can mimic the look of natural stones such as granite, marble and Slate. All you have to do is choose the color and finish that best fits the look of your home. There are over 130 different colors and three different countertop finishes, such as matte satin, semigloss and high-gloss to choose from. Corian is manufactured in sheets and can be ordered in precut lengths to fit just about any kitchen design you can imagine. If you’re looking for a modern, unique look for your home, Corian can be routed, sandblasted, carved and even thermoformed to create extremely unique designs and looks for both kitchens and bathrooms alike.

Like with granite, marble and concrete countertops Corian countertops can be accented with a matching or complementing Corian sink. Corian sinks are available in a multitude of colors and designs that can exactly match your Corian countertops, or simply complement them. Choosing to go with a Corian countertop sink does not limit your style or design, as there are many different sizes and designs to choose from.

Steps to Buying Corian

Purchasing a new countertop, especially a pricey one can be an extremely stressful and daunting task, however it does not have to be. If you break the steps of buying new Corian countertops down into small baby steps, you will find that it is less stressful and actually quite easy. Before you can purchase a countertop for your home that you know you’ll be happy with, it is important to get inspired. An easy way that you can inspire yourself is by looking through magazines, surfing the Internet, and physically visiting homes to get ideas for your own home. Many websites offer an online gallery of Corian countertop pictures that will give you more ideas for your home than you’ll know what to do with. After you have a general idea in the direction you want to go and, here are a few steps that you should take.

• Visit a photo gallery or local retail Corian store

• Pick a surface type

• Find the color that suits you and your home

• Order samples of multiple Corian finishes and colors

• Get an estimate of Corian countertop prices for your home

• Decide if the price is cost effective for your situation

Pros and cons of Corian countertops

Corian countertops have been around for 40 years and have proven themselves time and time again to be undated, suitable, beautiful countertop solutions for any home. Just like with any countertop you may choose to install in your home, whether it be in your kitchen, bathroom or laundry room, Corian countertops have both benefits and the setbacks that should be examined before you decide to buy and install Corian in your home.

• Easy to clean and care for

• Along with Corian’s beauty, it is also nonporous and can be extremely hard to stain. Having a countertop that does not stain easily will go a long way for families who consists of many children, or if you are a person who likes to entertain guests on a frequent basis.

• Corian countertops are extremely easy to clean as well, so in the process of entertaining or cooking, it is nice to know that you will have little to no problem cleaning any spills that may occur on a daily basis.

• Corian, being nonporous, also cuts down on the possibilities of having problems with mold, mildew and bacteria growth.

• Corian countertops are extremely temperature resistant, and can easily remain undamaged even with temperatures reaching up to 100°C.

• Although corian countertops do not stain easily, they have been known to show spots, and signs of dulling if they are not cleaned immediately.

• Corian countertops have also been known to scratch easily, making them not good candidates for cutting boards. If you do a lot of cooking, make sure to prep your meats and vegetables on an appropriate cutting board as to not scratch or carve into the finished product of your Corian countertops.

Care and Cleaning for Corian Countertops

Use soapy water, or ammonia-based cleaners along with designated solid surface cleaners for everyday use. These types of cleaners are great for daily use and removing most dust, dirt and residue from all three Corian finishes. If you have stubborn residue that you need to remove, it may require a little stronger of a cleaner.

If you allow water to sit and try on your Corian countertop, chances are that a film will develop on the surface and eventually this film will dull the look of your countertop making the finish appear to be blotchy. In order to prevent the buildup of any film on the surface of your Corian countertops, it is important to completely dry any moisture or water from cleaning agents or from the spell itself immediately.

Darker color Corian countertops tend to require more attention than the lighter colors do to keep clean. Over time, the look of your Corian countertops will naturally change, but you can restore your countertops back to the original finish by refurbishing them.

Although Corian countertops can withstand high temperatures, it is always a good idea to still use heat pads when placing hot pans or pots on your countertops. If at all possible avoid setting hot pans and pots directly on your countertops.

As you can see, Corian kitchen countertops are a low maintenance, long-lasting, beautiful countertop that just may be perfect for your home. Corian countertops cost may be higher than traditional tile or Formica, but will give you an elegant look that is generally cheaper than that of granite and marble. With a price tag ranging from $40 to around $65 a foot, Corian may not be for everyone. However, if you decide to install Corian countertops in your home, rest assured that you were making a wise decision.