Corian solid surface coutnertop

[Fritzo]

We just had our Corian countertops installed in our new construction house yesterday, and they're pretty nifty (solid surface, no seams, sink is built in).

Here's a pic

Does anyone have these installed? Is there anything I need to be careful about in their care?

 

[franksta]

Looks good. Dare I ask how much you paid?

 

[Insane3D]

A buddy of mine got those...they are very, very nice...but pricey as all hell.

 

[Papagayo]

Last time I remember, they have to be installed by certified professional to have the warranty.

Just don't use a Hammer on it..

 

[sohcrates]

we are slowly renovating our house. right now we have really crappy laminate counters

Pic

any ideas on cheap ways to make them look better w/out actually getting all new counters?

I've heard of places that make granite tops that "overlay" existing counters...or maybe re-laminating them?

we are hesitant to install all new counters simply because we will then want all new cabinets and a new sink and the list goes on and on...but the laminate tops have turned almost yellow over years of use....

 

[iroast]

Originally posted by: sohcrates
we are slowly renovating our house. right now we have really crappy laminate counters

Pic

any ideas on cheap ways to make them look better w/out actually getting all new counters?

I've heard of places that make granite tops that "overlay" existing counters...or maybe re-laminating them?

we are hesitant to install all new counters simply because we will then want all new cabinets and a new sink and the list goes on and on...but the laminate tops have turned almost yellow over years of use....

corian is supposed to be cheaper than granite and very durable. heat resistant too, so you can place hot pots/pans right on top if you want. invest in new cabinets, new stove, new sink and new fridge (stove & fridge should match). tile the backsplash or use some steel laminate http://www.starstainlessdesign.com/

 

[iamwiz82]

Originally posted by: iroast

Originally posted by: sohcrates
we are slowly renovating our house. right now we have really crappy laminate counters

Pic

any ideas on cheap ways to make them look better w/out actually getting all new counters?

I've heard of places that make granite tops that "overlay" existing counters...or maybe re-laminating them?

we are hesitant to install all new counters simply because we will then want all new cabinets and a new sink and the list goes on and on...but the laminate tops have turned almost yellow over years of use....

corian is supposed to be cheaper than granite and very durable. heat resistant too, so you can place hot pots/pans right on top if you want. invest in new cabinets, new stove, new sink and new fridge (stove & fridge should match). tile the backsplash or use some steel laminate http://www.starstainlessdesign.com/

There are places in my area that sell granite for $45/sq ft while corian hovers around $60-70/sq ft, depending on the color and pattern.

Wood block is also interesting.

 

[Sketcher]

You'll like your Corian and your built-in sink. Nice stuff. We've just had Dupont Zodiaq put in the home we're building.

Dupont has a lot of good information on their site. Here's a link to the Care of Corian on their webpage.

Congrats on the nice new home!

 

[skimple]

Looks nice! I think you'll be happy with it. We just had Corian installed in March after thinking about it and looking at the alternatives for years.

Here are some tips that we have found out:

- You will need to wash them down repeatedly for several weeks to get all of the grit off. This will gradually stop.
- Soap residue builds up on them quickly. Use a grey ScotchBrite pad every couple of months to "scuff-up" the finish and remove build up. (unless you have a high gloss finish, which requires much more polishing)
- The one-piece sinks always looks dirtier than a stainless steel sink (because stainless hides the dirt better than off-white). But these clean up pretty easily with a Scotch Brite pad.
- DO NOT place anything hot directly on them. Corian is effectively an acrylic material, and while it is heat resistent, it is not heat proof. A hot pan can permanently damage a section, and the only thing that can be done to repair it is to cut it out and install a new piece. You should also be careful with applicances like crock-pots, waffle irons, and deep fryers. Always put a heat pad or trivet under them to protect your counter.

Originally posted by: franksta
Looks good. Dare I ask how much you paid?

The average kitchen will run ~$4K installed (~40 sq. ft. of material including backsplashes and one-piece sink)

Originally posted by: Papagayo
Last time I remember, they have to be installed by certified professional to have the warranty.

There are really two warranties - one for the material, and one for the workmanship. This is because the fabricators and installers are certified separately. If the material has a defect (like it breaks apart at a seam or discolors), Corian is supposed to fix the defect for free. However, if they determine that it was installed improperly, the may not honor the warranty.

Originally posted by: sohcrates
any ideas on cheap ways to make them look better w/out actually getting all new counters?

Why not put down new laminate over the old stuff? The material's not that expensive, but you will want a professional to do it (the glue is nasty stuff and doesn't allow mistakes). Combine that with a paint job on your current cabinets, and you can have a whole new look for a few hundred dollars.

 

[Kelemvor]

The installer should have left you with some documentation on Use and Care. But if not, I'm sure you could go to the manufacturers website and get the ingo.

 

[sswingle]

We have LG brand and its great. Just be careful not to put anything hot directly on it, and dont put stuff in the sink that could stain it (like putting a spoon with spagetti sauce on it in the sink without rinsing it off first)

 

[Kelemvor]

Originally posted by: sohcrates
we are slowly renovating our house. right now we have really crappy laminate counters

Pic

any ideas on cheap ways to make them look better w/out actually getting all new counters?

I've heard of places that make granite tops that "overlay" existing counters...or maybe re-laminating them?

we are hesitant to install all new counters simply because we will then want all new cabinets and a new sink and the list goes on and on...but the laminate tops have turned almost yellow over years of use....

If you go with a standard laminate couter, you can get them for very cheap. Find a local coutertop supplier and see what they can order for you. We got ours from menards when they had a sale. Then later when we needed another piece for the bathroom I found a guy in the phone book because we needed it rushed. He had it the next week and it cost LESS than at Menards. Plus he said if I paid in cash it be even a bit cheaper... Which I gladly did. heh.

 

[Fritzo]

Originally posted by: franksta
Looks good. Dare I ask how much you paid?

Dunno...it was rolled into the house cost. Someone said they're in the $5000 range for our size of kitchen though :shocked:

 

[Fritzo]

Originally posted by: sohcrates
we are slowly renovating our house. right now we have really crappy laminate counters

Pic

any ideas on cheap ways to make them look better w/out actually getting all new counters?

I've heard of places that make granite tops that "overlay" existing counters...or maybe re-laminating them?

we are hesitant to install all new counters simply because we will then want all new cabinets and a new sink and the list goes on and on...but the laminate tops have turned almost yellow over years of use....

Our old house has those. You can get them resurfaced. Price should be $1000-$1500.

 

[Fritzo]

Originally posted by: iroast

Originally posted by: sohcrates
we are slowly renovating our house. right now we have really crappy laminate counters

Pic

any ideas on cheap ways to make them look better w/out actually getting all new counters?

I've heard of places that make granite tops that "overlay" existing counters...or maybe re-laminating them?

we are hesitant to install all new counters simply because we will then want all new cabinets and a new sink and the list goes on and on...but the laminate tops have turned almost yellow over years of use....

corian is supposed to be cheaper than granite and very durable. heat resistant too, so you can place hot pots/pans right on top if you want. invest in new cabinets, new stove, new sink and new fridge (stove & fridge should match). tile the backsplash or use some steel laminate http://www.starstainlessdesign.com/

It's a new house, so all that stuff is being done. Stainless steel appliances should be in next week.

 

[Sketcher]

Originally posted by: Fritzo

Originally posted by: franksta
Looks good. Dare I ask how much you paid?

Dunno...it was rolled into the house cost. Someone said they're in the $5000 range for our size of kitchen though :shocked:

Some builders mark the cost up more than others. Our Zodiak countertops came in at around $3,500 whereas the builder for my brothers house quoted them over $4k (same material/different color) even though they have less sq ft. of countertop than we do.

My Bro decided to put in standard laminate countertops and upgrade to Corian, Zodiak or similar later when they find a good price and don't have a middleman markup. We had our tops quoted from another source and decided that given our timeline, a few hundred dollars difference in cost was worth the turn-key close.

Be sure to go over your estimates and final Purchase Agreement line by line. A lot of hands are involved in the paperwork that comprises your final PA so it's up to you to make sure everyon'es numbers are right and that you get every discount or quote accurately reflected.

 

[Sketcher]

Originally posted by: iroast
corian is supposed to be cheaper than granite and very durable. heat resistant too, so you can place hot pots/pans right on top if you want. invest in new cabinets, new stove, new sink and new fridge (stove & fridge should match). tile the backsplash or use some steel laminate http://www.starstainlessdesign.com/

"Heat resistant" is NOT "Heat Impervious". Note this statement from Dupont's Corian Care page:

Preventing Heat Damage

Corian® is an excellent material for heat resistance. As with all countertop materials, it is important to minimize direct heat exposure to protect your surface and investment. We recommend using heat trivets or hot pads when placing hot objects on any surface. Allow cookware to cool before placing them into a Corian® sink.

Fritzo, you've spent/are spending much bucks for that nice top. Read up and get the low down on what you have before learning any of it the hard way. Just my 2 cents.

 

[Fritzo]

Yeah, it's got in big letters on the care kit "DO NOT PLACE HOT POTS/PANS DIRECTLY ON THE COUNTERTOP", so I got that much