With all the building material options available for kitchens, baths, exterior spaces, fireplaces, and bars, homeowners may have a difficult time choosing the best fit for a building material. You must consider functionality and your personal design style, as well as your needs for durability, easy care, budgeting, and maintenance. This comparison guide on Corian versus Granite should be useful as you’re narrowing down your choices for countertops, sinks, and other surfaces.
Corian vs. Granite
Corian (which is a brand of ‘solid surface’) is man-made and created by combining minerals and acrylics. Granite is a hard and granular igneous rock consisting mainly of quartz, mica, and feldspar. Slabs are mined from the earth and the cut and polished before used the home. Corian and granite are comparable in the cost of the original installation.
Corian Pros:
Because it’s a manufactured material, Corian offers more options for color, texture, and design than any other product; it can even be engineered with a granite or marble effect finish that stays true even when viewed at close range. Plus, Corian can be produced in large sheets to avoid the seams that some homeowners find unattractive. It’s easy to clean with a mild detergent and water, and very resistant to stains. Corian’s cost is also a pro for anyone on a tight renovation budget, as it’s affordably priced and will last for years.
Corian Cons:
The primary downside of Corian is that it’s not as durable as compared to granite, and can be scorched if exposed to hot pans or flames in the kitchen. It cannot be used as a cutting surface, due to its construction out of plastic resins. Corian is also not the best choice for bathrooms where it may come into contact with hot hair appliances. Cracks and scratches are inevitable in Corian and though they can be repaired, it’s often expensive.
Corian slabs are only 30″ wide, so if you have a wide island or peninsula, or a usual shape (id. boomerang), it will require more seams than granite or quartz surfacing. The seams are inconspicuous but not invisible.
Granite Pros:
This building material is popular with homeowners seeking the richness and classic appeal that can only come from a natural product. Granite slabs are available in a range of colors and textures for unmatched elegance. It’s also extremely hard and heat resistant, so granite is ideal for kitchens and bathrooms where it may be exposed to hot pots, pans, and appliances. In kitchens, granite is a proven winner because it will withstand scratches and stains, and will stay looking brand new even after years of wear and tear.
Granite Cons:
One caveat of granite’s durability is that it requires maintenance to overcome its porous characteristics, however the maintenance is still less than required of Corian. Granite requires sealing at installation, and frequently thereafter to protect against stains and etching. The surface porousness can also allow bacteria to build up if the sealant isn’t applied regularly. In addition, granite may not the be the right fit for modern interior or exterior design styles. As a natural material, each slab is unique, which puts it at odds with the clean lines of contemporary décor. Cost may also be a factor if you’re considering granite.
Contact Michigan’s Leader of Natural Stone Countertops
At Great Lakes Granite & Marble, our design team is here to help you compare Corian and Granite, and can provide more information on all our building materials. Stop by and check out our showroom to view our huge collection of products for your home renovation projects. You can also visit our online portfolio for design ideas and other products, or give us a call to request a quote.