What Is Corian Solid Surface?

Corian is the brand-name for DuPont’s synthetic solid surface countertop. What is Corian solid surface made of? It’s made from a combination of minerals and resin. Designed as a synthetic answer to granite, Corian is designed to have the look and feel of a natural solid surface but provide some of the flexibility in design and installation that is lacking in granite. It also comes in a variety of colors, meaning it is easier to match with the existing design of a particular kitchen or bathroom without the hassle of attempting to match the subtle hues and patterns unique to granite.

Experience the Benefits of Installing Corian® Countertops in Your Home or Business

Whether you’re installing new countertops in your home or in your place of work, you’ll need something that can provide both durability and beauty. After all, a beautiful countertop complements beautiful design. An unattractive countertop distracts from beautiful design. And, either way, it needs to be functional. If you’re looking at Corian countertops, there’s even more to it than that.

1. High-Quality Appearance

People love the look of natural stone because of the patterns and colors that come out of it. But, sometimes those colors and patterns that are unique to natural stone can be challenging to coordinate with paint shades and cabinet materials. Because Corian is synthetic, it can be designed to mimic those natural patterns, or it can be designed to tone down those patterns and provide a more subtle, consistent hue. Click here to see our Corian Color Groups.

2. Endless Design Possibilities

Corian is an extremely versatile material. Unlike natural stone, Corian can be thermoformed or worked like wood to create sweeping curves for a unique countertop shape. Corian can also be molded or cut to include textures or patterns in a matching backsplash. Because Corian is a synthetic material, it can be made more translucent than natural stone, which opens up endless opportunities for playing with backlighting. A lighted counter or bartop could be just the thing to set your business or restaurant apart.

3. Extremely Durable

Unlike its natural counterpart, Corian is not vulnerable to corrosion from acidic foods such as lemons or vinegar. It can stain, but it is a generally nonporous material. This means that it will hold up to Thanksgiving dinner prep, rushed breakfast times and all the toothpaste and hand soap your kids can spill on it.

4. Seamless Installation

Corian is a relatively simple material to install. It’s lighter than its granite and quartz counterparts and more forgiving if it’s bumped or knocked as it’s moved into place. It can also be cut with a run-of-the-mill circular saw, which means it doesn’t require special equipment for your installer to prepare it for your countertops. When Corian is put into place, it is installed with seaming materials designed to match the hue of the Corian itself. This means that once the seams dry, they are almost invisible.

What can you expect when installing Corian countertops? Corian installation begins with precise templating of your space to ensure an exact fit. Unlike stone, the Corian material is often fabricated off-site, and then pieces are brought in and chemically bonded together on-site using a color-matched adhesive, which is then sanded down to achieve its signature, smooth, seamless appearance.

5. Easy to Clean and Maintain

The subtle shades and designs of Corian don’t hide food stains. This means you might need to be more diligent about keeping countertops clean, but it also means that you can know they are sparkling clean without wondering what’s hiding among the designs of your countertop.

Corian, like granite, is installed in large slabs. There are no grout lines to keep clean or maintain.

Corian also holds up to the demands of a busy family or devoted home chef. It never needs to be resealed and, while it can be susceptible to scratches from knives or sharp kitchen tools, those scratches can be removed with an abrasive pad and just a bit of elbow grease.

6. Suitable for Indoor or Outdoor Use

Corian isn’t just for indoor use. If you’re like many folks in the Lancaster-York-Harrisburg-Reading area, you already have or would like to install an outdoor kitchen for entertaining or enjoying relaxing meals during the warmer months. Corian kitchen countertops are completely weather-resistant — they can withstand the rigors of that unpredictable, often severe Central Pennsylvania weather. They’re also perfect for business establishments such as bars or restaurants that offer outdoor dining and entertainment areas for their patrons.

7. Varying Thicknesses Available

Unlike some of their counterparts, Corian thickness can be adapted to your needs. This is because Corian can be cut, sawed or sanded without damaging or reducing the attractiveness and vibrancy of the color. Corian will also retain the hue throughout the countertop block regardless of thickness.

8. Affordable Countertop Material

When you’re on a budget — as most people are — it’s important to stretch your dollars as far as you can. Unlike stone, quartz or granite, Corian does not require mining or the implementation of highly labor-intensive processing steps. Consequently, Corian bathroom and kitchen countertops are often more affordable than those produced from natural materials. This can make a meaningful difference for homeowners looking to minimize costs or for contractors, designers and architects who must adhere to strict budgeting parameters.

The final cost is heavily influenced by your design choices and customization levels. While solid, basic colors are the most budget-friendly, selecting intricate patterned designs or utilizing the material’s thermoforming capabilities to create curves and unique shapes will increase the overall price due to increased material and fabrication labor complexity. Additionally, opting for integral Corian sinks and coved backsplashes adds cost but significantly reduces long-term maintenance.

Corian Countertops vs. Granite Countertops

While there are several different types of countertops on the market today, two of the most compared are Corian and granite. These are both durable, attractive options, so how on earth is a homeowner to choose?

Corian countertop pros and cons are out there. And, even though they’re a fantastic option for most spaces, it’s important to understand their strengths and weakness. Besides that, you need to make sure you know what you’re looking for.

1. How Will I Use My Countertops?

If you’re a dedicated home chef whose kitchen is always in use, then you’ll want countertops that can hold up to a variety of foods, as well as the tools of your trade — knives, hot pans, etc. While Corian is easier to keep clean, it doesn’t hold up as well as granite does to knife scratches and hot pans. It is easier to repair, however, so it may not be a problem for you.

If you’re not much of a cook and your countertops are going to be used primarily for takeout containers and school textbooks, then Corian might be a better option.

2. What Maintenance Do They Require?

Both Corian and granite have a smooth-to-the-touch surface. Granite’s surface tends to require a little bit more maintenance over time because it needs to be resealed every couple of years. Corian, on the other hand, does not need to be resealed and scratches can typically be removed with an abrasive brush and a bit of scrubbing. The maintenance of granite may be worth it if your countertops are prone to scratches or your family tends to forget to place a hot pad under a tray of freshly baked cookies. But if you aren’t prone to these kinds of mishaps, then Corian may fit the bill just fine.

3. What’s My Budget?

Slab granite and Corian are similar in cost. However, granite costs more to install because it requires special tools for cutting. It’s also heavier, which makes it more labor-intensive to install. Corian is cheaper to install because it’s not as heavy and can be cut with standard tools. It’s also much lighter, which makes it easier to maneuver into place.

4. What Look Do I Want?

Consider the design of your room and the colors at play. Because granite is a natural material, each slab is a little bit different. It can contain subtle patterns or colors that may not work with the other features of your room. Corian, on the other hand, can be customized in any hue for a perfect complement to your room’s other features.

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