Corian vs. Granite- The Big Debate for your New Kitchen Remodel
Saturday, February 9, 2008 at 03:06PM We often struggle with the decision of what to remodel or fix up before we sell a house. If you are interested in or planning to put your home on the market for sale, you may want to give serious consideration to making some improvements to your home. First, decide if you have the proper knowledge or do the work yourself. The bottom line is that you can make some fairly easy and not too costly improvements to your home that can result in a significant increase in value of your residence itself.
One part of your home that you may want to consider remodeling on is your kitchen. When all is said and done, people tend to spend a great deal of time in their kitchens. Thus, for a prospective home buyer, the kitchen and the way it looks and feels is a very important consideration when buying a home. If you decide to replace anything in the kitchen before putting your home on the market, start with the counter tops.
Here is a comparison of two popular counter top choices and often a big debate arises between which one will better serve it’s purpose. So what will it be, Granite or Corian? Hopefully, this will help you decide.
Install Price
Corian- This product is an engineered counter top. It is a slight cost saving choice over natural granite, in most circumstances. Although Corian is more expensive than laminate counters, it has many advantages and looks very clean and classy once in any kitchen space.
Granite- This natural stone can be one of the more expensive types of counter tops that you can have installed in your kitchen. On the other hand, it is also very desirable to potential buyers as the beauty of each stone is unique. If solid slabs of granite don’t fit in your budget then another option is to have granite tiles installed. Solid pieces are more expensive than tiles, and with a little know how, you could even install them yourself for more savings.
Maintenance
Corian- As an acrylic polyester plastic, this product is a more practical choice over granite. Corian is very easy to clean. This is because Corian is nonporous, which means stains do not penetrate the surface. According to Dupont, with proper cleaning, Corian resists the growth of mold, mildew and bacteria as well. It is also heat and scratch resistant, (scratches are easy to repair) but use mats for hot pots as a precaution. Although Corian is easier to repair than granite, keep in mind that the installers are required to leave 2 square feet of material on the job for future repairs. All types of cleaners can be used, but its wise use common sense on this subject.
Granite- This is a relatively hard, porous, natural stone which makes it very durable. It is best to protect granite with a sealant that fills in the natural pores to help repel stains, and clean up spills immediately. Also use mats under hot dishes so marks are not left. It is relatively unaffected by most chemicals. However, don’t use harsh, caustic or acidic chemicals on it. Instead, clean your counters with a neutral, mild, cleaner. Synthetic scrubbing pads can be used on these surfaces as well. It is said to be scratch resistant with a sealant, but harder to repair if chipped or cracked because no stone is exactly the same.
Durability/lasting power
Corian- Corian is deemed to be very durable. When installed, there are no seams (if done correctly) and easy to repair. This product stays close to room temperature so it’s harder to damage. It is also lighter in weight than granite, and has many different edge profiles and color combinations to choose from when selecting the right style for your home. Also, Dupont states that Corian sinks and backsplashes can be perfectly integrated to create the illusion of a single solid surface, Again, no seams for a clean, smooth look.
Granite- Granite is practically indestructible, and often considered the ultimate in class. When installing this product, seams will show, period. The color selections are more limited simply because it’s a natural stone. It is also difficult if not impossible to repair in some cases. Due to the weight of granite, cabinets and floors may need bracing which adds to cost. There are also limited edge profiles and the sink must be dropped in or under mount. Granite will always be cold to the touch and has the ability to project absolute elegance.
Added Resale Value
Corian- While you might not be able to increase the asking price for your home as high with Corian as you might be able to accomplish with granite, Corian will nonetheless add value to your residence in advance of putting it on the market. This product is also more desirable than laminates or tiled counters. It is better to install this product in lower to mid price range homes if you are considering cost value vs. resale value percentages.
Granite- Granite counter tops really end up being a good selling point to a person who might be interested in buying your home. They ultimately give your home a high end designer feel. Granite counter tops may very well increase the intrinsic value of your home and allow you the ability to increase the asking price for your residence when you do put it on the market. Keep in mind you have to take in each individual house and the value of it into consideration. The resale value doesn’t always total your investment but your house will be more desirable. You should be able to get your resale value back with installing granite in high end homes though because it is almost expected to have these luxuries in homes over $500,000.
Style of Home/personal preference
Corian- Corian does not necessarily have the elegant reputation of granite counter tops but Corian products are very attractive. With over 130 colors to choose from, you can let your inner designer go to work for you. The possibilities are endless, so be creative. Unless you are skilled in installation of this product, it is wise to have an expert do the job for you for a perfect outcome.
Granite- Many people like the natural appearance of granite. Granite adds a luxurious feel to any kitchen and is appealing because each piece of granite is unique. No one else will have the same granite piece as you, like a piece of art. No matter what type of counter top you select for your kitchen face lift, it is important that you ensure that installation properly is undertaken. Chances are that you really do not have the expertise to undertake counter top installation on your own. Therefore, it is important that you seek the services of a professional who can provide expert installation assistance to you.
Here is an estimated guide I found online. Countertop Materials and Cost provided by www.countertopskey.com.- Concrete: $100 per square foot.
- Marble: $50-$100 per square foot.
- Granite: $50-$100 per square foot.
- Wood: $50-$100 per square foot.
- Ceramic: $10-$30 per square foot.
- Limestone: $50-$100 per square foot.
- Slate: $50-$100 per square foot.
- Quartz: $50-$100 per square foot.
- Stainless Steel: $100-$200 per square foot.
- Laminate: $25-$50 per square foot.
- Solid Surface: $90-$150 per square foot.
Whatever decision you make for your new kitchen counters, either choice will surely be beautiful and worth the investment. Check back for more tips and ideas on remodeling your home!
Reader Comments (8)
I think that when you are remodeling you want to be around the project as much as possible!
If you can do a lot of it yourself that helps on quality and money.
Usually the best job done is the one you do because you know how you want it done and you
want it done nicely because you�ll be seeing it everyday - the contracter wont!
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