Granite vs Corian?

Question

I know that granite is in, but I'm looking at a house that has white corian and it looks really nice. They cost about the same, and I have a chef friend who swears that corian is so much easier to keep looking good. Anyone with experience with both?

Answer 1

I think I can give you a comprehensive answer based on my experience. I had corian (white) in my previous home and never really thought about it (being a dude). I always liked it and when I sold the place all of the women wanted granite, I guess because their friends like it. I moved into a luxury condo with absolute black granite counters. While I don't hate them, I miss the corian.

Here's why. Granite looks great only when its dry and perfectly clean. So if you don't USE your kitchen, granite is perfect. But you have to seal it and if you don't wash and dry it with paper towels constantly, it doesn't look like that clean, shiny stone you saw with you walked into the place. In other words, its a pain to keep looking good.

Now another bonus of white corian is that you can use those magic eraser sponge things to clean off stains. It really is magic. if you get a stain that the eraser can't get rid of, a drop of bleach and bingo, it disappears. Boy do I miss my white corian!

Answer 2

Corian is repairable and if you scratch it you can sand it out.  Granite is tough but not really repairable.  If the Corian is in good shape and you like it, why consider changing it?

Both are 'in'.

Answer 3

I have Corian in my bathrooms and it looks just as good today as when it was installed 20+ years ago.  My daughters have spilled hair dye, which we were able to get out by cleaning with Comet cleanser.

In the kitchen, the only thing to remember - no hot pots on the countertop.  Always use a mat or trivet; it does burn easily.

No special cleaners or sealers are necessary to keep it looking great.