Revamping a kitchen - granite transformation or corian
Discussion
We are looking to replace the work surfaces in the kitchen as currently they are tiled. We inherited it from the previous owners and now the rest of the house has been bought up to our tastes, its the kitchens turn.
The units and design of the kitchen layout is relatively good but we are thinking of changing the worktops to either granite or corian.
My parents have a black granite and have mentioned that it can mark and there is the upkeep. So I was thinking of Corian..
Has anyone used Granite Transformation or something similar? Anyone got Corian and regretted not going Granite or vice versa?
When I remodeled my kitchen I used an engineered stone product made by Dupont, called Zodiaq. It is primarily quartz and has similar properties to granite, but without the maintenance requirements.
Granted it doesn't have the natural vein that granite can have (overall it is much more consistently patterned) - but I needed really long runs (17 feet) and I couldn't get any natural stone that length without a seam in it - which would show, with a natural 'grained' stone.
It has been installed just over a year and looks very good (high polish) and never requires sealing. The cutouts for the sink and cook-top were cheaper and less risky (for the supplier) than granite also.
It's a little more expensive than granite, but is worth it to me for the consistent overall (seamless) look, no pourosity, very high heat resistence and durability.
Granted it doesn't have the natural vein that granite can have (overall it is much more consistently patterned) - but I needed really long runs (17 feet) and I couldn't get any natural stone that length without a seam in it - which would show, with a natural 'grained' stone.
It has been installed just over a year and looks very good (high polish) and never requires sealing. The cutouts for the sink and cook-top were cheaper and less risky (for the supplier) than granite also.
It's a little more expensive than granite, but is worth it to me for the consistent overall (seamless) look, no pourosity, very high heat resistence and durability.
Neighbours have just had Corian intalled. Corian is a DuPont brand and very expensive; others exist. It's basically very hard plastic/resin with a few bits thrown in for good measure.
It scratches and bruises, and the installers said that it will need re-polishing every 5 years or so. But granite will also scratch and stain, and cold and hard.
Ironically the most practical worktop is also the cheapest - laminate!
It scratches and bruises, and the installers said that it will need re-polishing every 5 years or so. But granite will also scratch and stain, and cold and hard.
Ironically the most practical worktop is also the cheapest - laminate!
We're about to have our kitchen re-done.
I've looked at resin worktops a few times, since they look so good.
Do they have any advantages over good quality laminate?
We use our kitchen a lot, so in our last house we had tiled surfaces each side of the hob, and as a 'landing area' for pans out of the oven. Pretty bomb proof heatwise, but needed the grout cleaning a few times.
I've been frightened off granite and corian because they can't take stuff straight off the hob, or out of a hot oven. Is that correct?
I've looked at resin worktops a few times, since they look so good.
Do they have any advantages over good quality laminate?
We use our kitchen a lot, so in our last house we had tiled surfaces each side of the hob, and as a 'landing area' for pans out of the oven. Pretty bomb proof heatwise, but needed the grout cleaning a few times.
I've been frightened off granite and corian because they can't take stuff straight off the hob, or out of a hot oven. Is that correct?
I'd say go for Corian over Stone, if it gets scratched it can be polished out, if it cracks, chips it can be repaired.
The one thing that we have the most problems with is the heat from gas hobs causing the tops to crack in the hob cut-outs.
I'm not sure if it's available in the UK but theres a cheaper version of Corian called 'Infinity' by Amorini http://www.amorini.com.au/benchtop.asp .
Are they similar (sp) to Stonex/Roxx? http://www.roxx.co.nz/ (What it's called here in NZ).
We make tops out of this and some of the colours are great.
The one thing that we have the most problems with is the heat from gas hobs causing the tops to crack in the hob cut-outs.
I'm not sure if it's available in the UK but theres a cheaper version of Corian called 'Infinity' by Amorini http://www.amorini.com.au/benchtop.asp .
Ranger 6 said:
Matt Harper said:
...used an engineered stone product made by Dupont, called Zodiaq....
Also google Silestone - engineered quartz too and an excellent product.We make tops out of this and some of the colours are great.
Paul Drawmer said:
I've been frightened off granite and corian because they can't take stuff straight off the hob, or out of a hot oven. Is that correct?
Corian can't, unless you have a heat pad thing down.With our tops we make a chopping board type thing out of the bowl/hob cut out for that sort of thing, it's also so if the top does need a repair then theres a piece of the same colour from the same batch so it's a definite colour match
I have Corien and have I have to say it is a great product. We probably have the worst colour as ours is white but I have no real problems keeping it clean. I love the fact that the sink is part of the worktop as you have no seams for muck to get trapped in. We also have an induction hob so I have never encounted any heat problems. I also have stainless steel bars inserted into a Corien chopping board for putting hot pans on.
As has been mentioned Corien is easy to fix and big scratches are easy to rub out with wet and dry paper.
The one big downer is the cost, ours were £7000, but I must admit we did use a lot of the stuff. See below
As has been mentioned Corien is easy to fix and big scratches are easy to rub out with wet and dry paper.
The one big downer is the cost, ours were £7000, but I must admit we did use a lot of the stuff. See below
Thanks for the replies...currently we have the inherited tiled and grouted worktops but they are a rough surface tile and arent the easiest to clean and keep looking clean.....
Like Streetrod, we have an induction hob and it looks grwat in the pictures. Dad has the steel rods inlaid into his Granite worktops and they look stylish too and as they can be lifter out easily, they stay very clean.
Guess I'll have to get some pictures up when we decide to go ahead..LOL
Kev
Tony Starks said:
Ranger 6 said:
Matt Harper said:
...used an engineered stone product made by Dupont, called Zodiaq....
Also google Silestone - engineered quartz too and an excellent product.We make tops out of this and some of the colours are great.
We've got Corian in black and it scratches very easily, although we've never got round to polishing it back to it's former glory.
I'd have prefered granite tbh but we'd have ended up with a lot of joins, the corian does look seam free even though there were several pieces put together.
After the price we paid I was initially quite disappointed as it didn't look as bling as granite might have, however 5 years on I've got used to it.
I'd have prefered granite tbh but we'd have ended up with a lot of joins, the corian does look seam free even though there were several pieces put together.
After the price we paid I was initially quite disappointed as it didn't look as bling as granite might have, however 5 years on I've got used to it.
I own a company that fits worktops in granite, quartz (silestone and similar), corian types and others.
With regards to granite transformations, I would say this is probably your last choice. You will get a granite top for the same cost (pm me with your location and I'll recommend a company locally that will do it)
Granite v's corian - aesthetics plays a big part. Corian also has joint free and "can be poished free of scratches or repaired" in truth this is marketing speach for "its quite a bit softer than granite" on this plus side, if your willing to pay you can have some trully stunning design work done.
Granite v's Quartz - dont listen to the old wives tales, they are both pretty similar in properties, I always advise my clients not to listen and judge by what aesthetics they prefer, some ntural granites have stunning patterns where as quartz is uniform and arguably more modern.
Check whoever you buy from is a recommended fabricator/installer (so there is no middle man)
Couple of other things to consider - you prob have 40mm thick tops, with granite quartz you will need an upstand or 20+20 build up to hide the gap to the tiles. Corian is easier to fabricate to size. Remember to plan for new sink and plumbing costs (inc corgi plumber if you have a gas hob)
Hope the above helps, any questions just ask
Cheers
With regards to granite transformations, I would say this is probably your last choice. You will get a granite top for the same cost (pm me with your location and I'll recommend a company locally that will do it)
Granite v's corian - aesthetics plays a big part. Corian also has joint free and "can be poished free of scratches or repaired" in truth this is marketing speach for "its quite a bit softer than granite" on this plus side, if your willing to pay you can have some trully stunning design work done.
Granite v's Quartz - dont listen to the old wives tales, they are both pretty similar in properties, I always advise my clients not to listen and judge by what aesthetics they prefer, some ntural granites have stunning patterns where as quartz is uniform and arguably more modern.
Check whoever you buy from is a recommended fabricator/installer (so there is no middle man)
Couple of other things to consider - you prob have 40mm thick tops, with granite quartz you will need an upstand or 20+20 build up to hide the gap to the tiles. Corian is easier to fabricate to size. Remember to plan for new sink and plumbing costs (inc corgi plumber if you have a gas hob)
Hope the above helps, any questions just ask
Cheers
Stainless steel looks great on installation but scratches like hell, tarnishes and quickly looks shabby IMO
We sell modern kitchens hence why we sell more Silestone as it's more modern. If you have a traditional/country style kitchen i don't think you can beat granite, some of the colours & patterns are beautiful
We sell modern kitchens hence why we sell more Silestone as it's more modern. If you have a traditional/country style kitchen i don't think you can beat granite, some of the colours & patterns are beautiful
Edited by GTO-3R on Tuesday 11th August 09:27
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