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White Corian Worktop

Corian or Quartz: Which Worktop Is Best For You? 

The kitchen countertop market is vast. If you are looking to upgrade your kitchen countertops, you will find an abundance of options. Nowadays, there are countertops that adhere to just about any design brief or project budget. Two increasingly popular options available today are Corian and Quartz countertops. In this post we are going to help you decide whether Corian or Quartz is the better option for you. 

Corian or Quartz: The Key Differences Outlined 

These two types of countertop are widely popular and used by contemporary home designers. You may have heard the terms, but always wondered what, exactly, Corian or Quartz countertops are. Similarly, it is not always clear how they are constructed. Below we continue to try to resolve the Corian vs Quartz countertops debate. 

What Is Quartz? 

There seems to be some misconceptions about Quartz. Namely, on occasion we are led to believe Quartz countertops are made using all natural materials. Some companies may do this to better market their product and align them more closely with Granite and Marble alternatives. 
 
A Quartz kitchen worktop is a man-made creation: produced with engineered stone. Although Quartz makes up to 90% of the construction of the countertop, the other 10% is resins, polymers and pigments. The result is a durable countertop that closely resembles a natural stone surface. 
 
Manufacturers are able to grind the quartz in different ways to achieve distinct finishes. Coarsely ground quartz, for example, will create a flecked finish, while quartz that has been ground finely is smoother. 

What is Corian? 

This brings us onto Corian. Similarly to Quartz, Corian is an engineered stone. Whilst the composition of Quartz countertops uses a very high percentage of the natural mineral, Corian uses significantly less. Acrylic polymers and resins make up a much larger percentage of Corian’s genetic makeup. 
Grey Quartz Kitchen Worktop

Corian vs Quartz Countertops: A Detailed Comparison 

Now we have some idea of what Quartz and Corian actually are, we can start creating a detailed comparison. Both types of countertop have their strengths and weaknesses when placed side by side. So, without further ado, Corian or Quartz: which one actually is the better option? 

Cost 

When browsing different countertop options, costs are likely to vary hugely. This is certainly the case for Corian and Quartz. If you are looking to upgrade your kitchen on a budget, Quartz might not be the best option. A Quartz kitchen worktop is one of the most expensive types of countertop available on the market today. Although Marble is still widely considered the most expensive option, Quartz is not too far behind. In some cases, it can cost you more per square foot than Granite. 
 
Corian, on the other hand, tends to be cheaper per square foot than Quartz. Although when you consider Corian’s fragility in comparison to Quartz, you may end up paying more in the long run. If your budget is tight, you may wish to stick with Corian. If you want to spend more and invest in something inherently valuable and durable, we recommend exploring the market’s Quartz options. 

Durability 

We use our countertops endlessly. They are the foundation of any kitchen and come in contact with a variety of materials and objects. It is therefore quite important that our countertops are long lasting and strong. For those of you looking for something really durable, Quartz takes the win here. Quartz is one of the hardest materials on earth. As such, a Quartz countertop, which is made mostly of Quartz, is extremely durable. It must be said that, like any stone countertop, Quartz is susceptible to chips if it comes in contact with a large amount of force. Equally, it is not recommended that you put hot pans directly onto your Quartz countertop. 
 
A Corian countertop is significantly less durable than a Quartz alternative. If you are looking for something extremely tough, you may wish to further explore your options. The large amounts of acrylic polymer and resin used to construct Corian countertops makes them more susceptible to scratches and heat marks. Additionally, they sustain damage fairly easily when they come in contact with hot objects. 
 
If your kitchen is used consistently, you are going to benefit from a countertop that is hard-wearing. Durability fades over time. In this sense, Quartz has a far greater longevity than Corian. This is certainly worth considering when making an informed decision. 

Saleability 

When considering Corian vs Quartz countertops, or any countertops, how they will contribute to your home’s saleability is important. Saleability is a difficult concept as it is largely subjective. 
 
When putting your home up for sale, prospective buyers will have largely different tastes. Finding a buyer who is attracted to similar design choices is the best way to maximise your home’s saleability. That being said, there is a correlation between a home making use of more expensive materials and saleability improvement. 
 
Corian is the less expensive option and, resultantly, looks cheaper. This may ultimately damage your home’s saleability. We believe a Quartz countertop is the best way to achieve a stylish and expensive looking kitchen. This, in turn, will help you greatly should the day come that you are interested in selling your property. 

Maintenance 

Maintenance is similar for both Corian and Quartz. If we consider Granite for a moment, it is porous by nature. This means that Granite has to be sealed every few years to maintain strength and minimise staining. Both Corian and Quartz are non-porous, and thus do not need to be sealed nor require extensive maintenance. Spills and stains are easily cleaned on both countertops, and they do not need to be polished. You will, however, need to wash both types of countertop regularly with a mild soap and hot cloth. You will find that, if you are looking for a countertop that requires little maintenance, both Corian and Quartz are great solutions. 
Grey Quartz Worktop

Corian or Quartz: The Verdict 

We hope the following information will help you settle the Corian vs Quartz countertops debate. The choices available to you will be largely dependent on your budget. A Quartz countertop is a luxury item that is long lasting. We appreciate, however, that some people may be looking to make cheaper design choices. A Corian countertop is a great solution for this. Ultimately, if your budget can be extended, we recommend Quartz countertops on account of their durability as well as the contribution they make to your home’s saleability. 
 
Granite Unlimited is a leading supplier of bespoke kitchen worktops in the Colchester area. We have a large selection of Corian or Quartz countertops to browse. You can fill out a contact form to discuss your project, or give us a call on 01206 257 303. 
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