Corian® vs Quartz Countertops
If you’ve been looking into man-made kitchen countertop material options, you’ve probably come across both quartz and corian, also known as “solid surface”. Both of these surface materials are designed to help you keep your kitchen design as convenient and practical as possible.
Unlike natural stone surfaces like granite and marble, quartz and solid surface countertops have both been designed artificially for use in the kitchen. This gives them several upsides and downsides over their natural stone counterparts.
But which should you choose for your kitchen countertops?
Here we look at Quartz vs Corian and check out the main pros and cons for each kitchen countertops surface.
What is Quartz?
Quartz is an engineered stone that is often used as a kitchen countertop material. If you’re curious how quartz is made, it is made from a blend of roughly 93% natural quartz minerals and 7% polymers, pigments, and resins designed to bond the minerals together, give them color, and give them a design.
You can find many different ingredients in the quartz resin, such as metal, glass, and even pieces of mirror!
Because it’s an engineered stone, quartz countertops can be ordered in specific colors and patterns to fit your specifications. There will be a small amount of variation in the design, but it will mostly be consistent throughout the quartz.
What is Corian (Solid Surface)?
Corian, also known as solid surface, is a countertop material made from quartz dust by a company called DuPont. Since its invention, it’s become very popular as a quartz countertops alternative all around the US.
The mineral dust is turned into a liquid and poured into a mold, then the mold is solidified and formed into corian countertops. Because corian for countertops is naturally flexible, it can be molded into twirls, swirls, curves, spirals, backsplashes, and many other custom shapes for modern kitchens and bathrooms.
It’s very versatile!
Countertop corian material can be produced in various colors and styles which tend to be more consistent than the patterns found in quartz countertop alternatives. This makes them ideal for homeowners with very specific visions for their kitchen countertops design, particularly for modern and transitional aesthetics.
Quartz and Corian Solid Surface Countertop Comparison Chart
What are the Pros and Cons of Quartz Countertops?
When it comes to corian vs quartz, there are many reasons that you may or may not choose quartz as your winning countertop material:
- Conventional natural stone design
- Burn and scratch resistant
- Very easy to maintain
- Naturally mold and mildew-resistant
- LESS CONSISTENT PATTERNS
- HARDER TO REPAIR
- EXPENSIVE
A quartz countertop has that natural granite-like stone look to it that so many homeowners desire for their kitchen countertop. Whether you’re going traditional or contemporary, a lovely stone countertop can look right at home in any kitchen design.
Quartz countertops are also much more burn and scratch resistant than solid surface countertops, with their resin making them difficult to significantly damage.
These countertops are also very easy to maintain, not requiring sealing (like granite) or regular buffing (like solid surface). They’re almost 100% non porous, so it’s very difficult for them to stain significantly.
On the downside, quartz counters are harder to repair than corian (though they don’t get damaged easily) and their patterns tend to be less consistent, so they’re not ideal if you’re a stickler for detail!
What are the Pros and Cons of Corian Countertops?
When it comes to your countertops, corian is an excellent choice under certain circumstances. Here are all the upsides and downsides to installing corian countertops in your kitchen:
- Custom curves, spirals, shapes, and backsplashes possible
- Non porous antimicrobial surface
- Very consistent pattern
- Scratches can be buffed out easily
- CAN GET SCORCHED
- SCRATCHES EASILY
- DOESN’T ADD TO PROPERTY VALUE
If you’re creating a really unique and futuristic kitchen countertop design, look no further than corian countertops. These countertop surfaces are incredibly versatile, and can be molded into horizontal and vertical shapes that suit all kinds of countertop styles, especially in modern kitchens.
Because of the way that these materials are made, it’s easy to get very consistent colors and patterns that match exactly what you’re looking for. When compared to corian, quartz patterns just aren’t quite as uniform and consistent.
Although a solid surface countertop is more easily scratched than quartz, these scratches can be buffed out quite easily, so it’s good value if you’re willing to put up with the buffing.
Nonetheless, corian countertop designs are easily scorched and don’t tend to add much value to your property, so we wouldn’t recommend them if you’re looking to sell in the future and you don’t want another kitchen remodel before then.
Free Countertop Chart
We Compared Marble, Granite, Laminate, Solid Surface and Quartz Countertops!
Is Corian cheaper than granite and quartz?
Corian is cheaper than both quartz and granite countertops, but it’s not by a huge amount.
On average, you can expect to pay around $40 per square foot for entry-level material and around $50 per square foot for entry-level quartz counters.
When it comes to granite countertops, the cheapest options usually start at around $50 per square foot too.
Which is more durable?
While corian counters might be slightly cheaper than quartz granite countertop on average, they will never last as long as the other two materials.
You can usually expect a corian countertop to last for 10-20 years on average, though many people change them before that time because of how easily damaged they are.
In contrast, granite and quartz countertops can easily last for 50+ years if you take care of them properly and buy them from a reputable stone fabricator.
So when it comes to the long-haul, quartz and granite counters are more cost-effective than corian.
Is Quartz or Corian Better?
Generally speaking, Quartz is better than Corian. Both countertop materials both have similar costs, but quartz just has a much longer life expectancy, it’s non-porous, stain resistant and tends to hold up better when it comes to everyday burns, scratches, and damage.
A solid surface countertop makes sense if you’re going for a very unique design or you want your countertop to bend into unusual shapes and designs, but it’s not a practical countertop material and it’s not going to add a ton of resale value to your property, so that’s something to bear in mind.
If you’re looking for long-term sustainability and practicality, then the best countertop materials is that of quartz countertops. If you’re looking for a very fresh and modern design that you don’t mind maintaining, then solid surfaces may be for you!
Whichever material you choose, good luck with your kitchen remodel! And need more inspiration? Filter through some lovely countertop options.
See More Countertop Comparisons Below
Solid Surface Comparisons
- Solid Surface vs Marble
- Solid Surface vs Granite
- Solid Surface vs Laminate
Quartz Comparisons
- Quartz vs Marble
- Quartz vs Granite
- Quartz vs Laminate
KITCHEN INFINITY® INC. 2023
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