How do you choose a solid surface countertop?

14 years ago

I lurked around here several months back, but we're about to start construction on a kitchen remodel and I'm hoping to glean some wisdom.

We're pretty sure that we're interested in solid surface countertops, and in looking around over the past year we've seen things that we like in Home Depot and Ikea and cabinet shops.

I realize it's unlikely that individuals have installed and used more than one brand of these countertops, but is there a general feeling of some products being better than others? Any tips for finding the right one?

We're going to be stepping things up in the coming weeks, so I'll be sure to have other questions (especially about backsplashes). Just trying to ease into it with my first post...

Thanks,

Dan

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Comments (7)

squigs
14 years ago
My brother-in-law has been in the countertop business for many years and is certified by Dupont. He knows what's out there and has worked with all kinds of countertops, and his opinion as far as solid surface is that while the others are very similar, Corian is the best. HTH
jakkom
14 years ago
One reason that Corian always rates highly with installers is that DuPont really does stand behind its product and they are known as the most responsive to installers/customers complaints. This is not a small thing; no matter what product you pick as a countertop, it can be ruined by poor installation and having to fight with the mfg to get satisfaction is not a pleasant thought after spending $$ of dollars.

I personally chose Swanstone as we've been very satisfied with its performance and carefree maintenance, plus it has a slightly higher heat resistance than Corian. Like DuPont, Swanstone insists upon factory-trained installation for kitchen countertops. But I do think some of Corian's colors are more pleasing.

One thing that might swing you either way - most solid surface mfgs, including DuPont, only offer their integral sinks in a few colors. I think Swanstone is the only one that offers their Swanstone sinks in all 38 colors, same as their countertops.
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We got the Corian (Rain Cloud) and really like it. We got it through Ikea when it was marked down (40% off if you bought your kitchen there). It was an offer we could not refuse. We like it for the same reasons you stated. The pattern, Rain Cloud, was only available in Corian and was the only one that would have truly worked in our kitchen. I'd shop around for price and see if you can get a deal elsewhere on it. You don't have to get everything from the same place. It also can't hurt to ask about upcoming sales and if they can give you a discount on it somehow. I find even the big boxes have discretion and a manager can knock off 10% if they choose to....
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I've had white Corian now for 31 years. I even re-used if this past summer when getting new cabinets. I LOVE it! I can't remember which white it is - in 1985, one had the choice of 3 shades of white and I chose the whitest - no other colors were available then. I consider it like a great white blouse - always looks crisp and clean and fresh and timeless. Here is a picture of my kitchen sink area with the integrated Corian sink as well. I have never had a stain I could not easily and quickly remove with a couple of swipes of a ScotchGuard pad. I had to add a 5 ft run where we changed the kitchen layout. I've heard others on GW complain that it has a "plasticy" look and I now understand what they mean. It just needs to get a few scratches to develop a lovely patina! I immediately took the ScotchGuard pad to it and now it looks just like the other countertops. I have never regretted getting this. My daughter had the same (same sink, too) installed in her kitchen about 8 years ago. Her husband is a SAHD and a constant coffee drinker, dumping the grounds from the French press maker and not rinsing the sink. Again, a quick swipe with a ScotchGuard dishwashing wand and all stains disappear. She also has two teenage boys - think "fraternity house" when she's out of town on business - and they have never managed to do any damage to the countertops or the sink. I don't like a "busy" kitchen. Mine is small - 11x15, with three doorways and that huge window. It's very chopped up looking, so keeping things simple and fairly monochromatic works very well in there. I used honed white marble 3x12 subway tile for my backsplash and it works very well with the white Corian. I can think of no other countertop material that could look this good after 31 years! I'm not obsessive about it, but I don't abuse things, either. If I had a huge kitchen with a humongous island in the middle, perhaps I would want a countertop on that island that made more of a "statement". But in a small kitchen, NO STATEMENT is the best way to go!
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warmfridge
14 years ago
I have Avonite in my bathroom. I chose it partly because they were the only company to offer the color I wanted and partly because they use some recycled materials. I love my bath countertops, but I would not want this in the kitchen. It gets small scratches fairly easily and comes with a warning about not putting hot things on it.

Also check out the trimmings. Different brands have different sizes and shapes of sinks, as well as different edges and backsplashes.
dan_in_austin
Original Author
14 years ago
I was wondering if the availability or cost of different edge types would be a differentiator - sounds like it is.

We won't be getting an integral sink, but I can see how that could be a big deal.

Thanks for the info.
hartwood
14 years ago
When we remodeled our kitchen, we chose Corian. Their new (at that time) directional patterns are fabulous. I had a hard time deciding which to choose ... it came down to a decision between 'Concrete' and 'Earth'. Earth resembles soapstone, and it looked best with our natural cherry cabinets, so that's the one we went with. I love my kitchen, and my counters get a lot of compliments from visitors.

Be sure to order the large samples from Corian before you decide. Don't rely on those 2" samples that you get from the store.

HTH,
Connie
dan_in_austin
Original Author
14 years ago
Hartwood, I love both of those colors. Our kitchen will be somewhat modern-ish, and based purely on aesthetics I had wanted concrete counters. But then I did a little research and ruled them out pretty quickly. But that Corian pattern may be just the thing!

We're also considering natural cabinets (either maple or cherry) - sounds like the earth and cherry look good together. Do you have any pictures posted on the finished kitchens blog (or elsewhere)?
idrive65
14 years ago
I chose Tumbleweed with my cherry perimeter cabinets. There was another color, burled beach, that I liked also, but I changed my mind when I saw a full sheet of each.

How do you choose a solid surface countertop?

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squigs

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How do you choose a solid surface countertop?

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