I think that is universal, as I know of no state that is willing to spend millions of dollars a year to test thousands of unique appliances in order to come up with their own rules. (I prefer to use the relevant example) ;D " What I'm understanding is that installation instructions are designed to meet building code." - yes, but many of the installation instructions seem to be worded by lawyers, and designed to be decieving to the average consumer. "Listing" is what happens after the independent testing laboratory makes sure the product's clearances label and installation instructions meet the ANSI standards and put that "UL sticker" (label) on it. - the whole code process works together with the "listed and labeled" requirement and ANSI safety standards. . [https://www.houzz.com/discussions/tile-backsplash-wont-meet-building-code-dsvw-vd~3992018?n=57[(https://www.houzz.com/discussions/tile-backsplash-wont-meet-building-code-dsvw-vd~3992018?n=57) .

If you want a "heat proof countertop" buy Stainless Steel. Otherwise use a heat trivet. As far as manufacturers of S.S. - LG is a good product very similar in make up from what I can tell but they do not guarantee the installation where as DuPont does. In other words, if your fabricator screws up your installation with LG Hi-Macs you are out of luck because they do not "guarantee" their fabricators work. If on the other hand your "licensed" fabricator from DuPont screws up on your installation, DuPont will cover the problem. You can make sure your fabricator is a licensed "CFI" (Certified Fabricator Installer) by going to DuPonts Corian website or by calling 8004CORIAN. The big issue on this is around the seams in the countertop. DuPont covers them, LG does not. Not trying to say one product is better than another. If you need to save a few bucks by all means look at the imported S.S. Just make sure your fabricator knows what they are doing because the manufacturer doesn't have any "investment" in that regards. P.S. Granite shouldn't crack from heat but when you place a hot pot onto sealed granite it breaks down the sealer and then you can get a stain which is not easily removed if it can be removed at all. Therefore you should always use a trivet. P.S.S. I have also seen Quartz products damaged from heat exposure. It can become "whitened" and once that happens it is permanent.

I love it! You could probably photoshop it into a similar kitchen to the one you're planning and see how it will look. Should be great for Florida. I'd use it with medium to light cabinets, though you could pop out that deep red or the dark turquoise, at least for the lowers. Matching the background color would be great. Also, natural lights like birch, alder or maple, or a pine color or even honey. Also, pale warm gray or a golden yellow. There are a lot of colors that will look good with a whole lot of this stuff. With darker woods, I think the counter might be too overwhelming in quantity. In general, one wants the counter to be beautiful and bright, not to jump up and down crying, "Me!! ME!!!! MEEEE!!!!!" which could happen if there's too heavy a contrast between the cabinets and counters. I really like this!

I was told that Corian was more expensive; however, in my neighborhood labor is the driving factor and all the prices came out within $10 of each other. Knowing what I know now, the only thing that I would do differently is to purchase a Corian that does not have a grain to it (I have witch hazel). When there is no grain there are no problems if you need a repair and the seams don't show. No repairs needed yet. So far it has been completely trouble-free and so much quieter, warmer and easier to maintain than the dark granite that I have on either side of the stove. I bought used kitchen cabinets and those cabinets surrounding the stove came with their granite intact. If your stove is on a different wall, I would consider a different surface by the stove as other people (darling husband for instance) have a tendency to pull hot pans right off the stove on to the countertop by the stove and I understand that Corian (all quartz and some granites) do(es) not hold up to heat. I would absolutely install Corian again.