Hello,

Have contractor grade laminate now and is in bad shape after 13 years of
wear. Needs replacing for sure.

Any opinions on this material for kitchen counter replacement?

Over the long haul it as good as Laminate? Worse ?

Stone is out of the question due to cost. Hate tile.

Any feedback welcomed.

Granite, same cost as corian, but its REAL

(m Ransley) wrote in news:3954-415A0317-258@storefull-
3135.bay.webtv.net:

Granite, same cost as corian, but its REAL

I have no idea what you mean by "real" -- Corian is just as "real" as
stainless steel, laminate, tile, or any other material we use to create a
counter surface. Granite has the distinction of being manufactured
underground, but I don't see that as any advantage -- it needs to be judged
on its suitability for the desired usage.

Corian has the advantage of being completely non-porous, so it won't stain
or need sealing (like granite), and you can completely integrated sinks (a
wonderful feature). On the down side, it can't take high temperatures or
some chemicals (acetone in particular). Mind you, citric acid isn't
something you want to leave sitting on your granite countertop.

I am going to try Silestone for my next counter top -- non-porous, but also
takes high temperatures.

"Murray Peterson" wrote in message

I have no idea what you mean by "real" -- Corian is just as "real" as
stainless steel, laminate, tile, or any other material we use to create a
counter surface.

Yep, all plastics are real. Man made, but real. Granite is not
manufactured, nor is any mineral.

From: Murray Peterson

I am going to try Silestone for my next counter top -- non-porous, but also
takes high temperatures.



i really like silestone...great stuff....
-------------------
Chris Perdue
"I'm ever so thankful for the Internet; it has allowed me to keep a finger in
the pie and to make some small contribution to those younger who will carry the
air-cooled legend forward"
Jim Mais
Feb. 2004

A decent compromise is 18" granite tile.

You get all the benefits of granite - real stone, beauty, heat and cut
resistance - and far fewer grout lines. Plus, it's much much cheaper
than most solid-surface 'tops, and you can do it yourself.

JSH

I had corian now have granite any of the "stone" surfaces will be much
better than corian it is soft plastic scratches easily as well as it can
melt.
Cost is very close for all of the countertop material depending upon the
color you want.

Wayne

"Dave" wrote in message
...
Hello,

Have contractor grade laminate now and is in bad shape after 13 years of
wear. Needs replacing for sure.

Any opinions on this material for kitchen counter replacement?

Over the long haul it as good as Laminate? Worse ?

Stone is out of the question due to cost. Hate tile.

Any feedback welcomed.

"Dave" wrote on 28 Sep 2004:

Any feedback welcomed.

I have had Nevermar (one of the Corian-lookalikes)for 15 years and
like it very much. One of the advantages of a synthetic is that if
you're so disposed you can customize it - different edges, stripes,
coved backsplashes, etc. If you want to spend the money, with a
coved backsplash and integrated sink you'll have no cracks and
crevices to gather dirt.

That having been said, here are some things to consider.

1) NEVER put a heat-producing appliance near a seam in the
material, especially a toaster oven (don't ask how I know). If you
must, put it on a glass counter protector with little feet. If you
screw up a seam, it's a real problem to repair.

2) Using a garbage disposal with a Corian built-in sink may induce
hairline cracks in the sink - or at least it did in all the early
versions of the synthetics. The sink won't leak, but the cracks
will be noticeable.

3) Green pads will take out almost all marks. In the rare cases in
which a green pad won't work, fine sandpaper used lightly will.
The countertop should always look about the way it did when it was
installed.

--
Doug Boulter

To reply by e-mail, remove the obvious word from the e-mail address

I know it is not trendy but mica may be the best surface if this is a family
kitchen. I'm sure there are lots of yuppies who never spill bacon grease on the
counter, don't drop the red hot skillet on it and never spill cherry coolaid
but for the slings and arrows of family life it is hard to beat mica.
When I see these designer kitchens I assume the pots and pans are just
decorations.

rofl. me too.

randy

When I see these designer kitchens I assume the pots and pans are just
decorations.

"Dave" wrote in message
...
Hello,

Have contractor grade laminate now and is in bad shape after 13 years of
wear. Needs replacing for sure.

Any opinions on this material for kitchen counter replacement?

Over the long haul it as good as Laminate? Worse ?

Stone is out of the question due to cost. Hate tile.

What about a concrete counter top?
http://www.taunton.com/store/pages/070599.asp

On Wed, 29 Sep 2004 00:21:43 GMT, "Dave"
scribbled this interesting note:

Hello,

Have contractor grade laminate now and is in bad shape after 13 years of
wear. Needs replacing for sure.

Any opinions on this material for kitchen counter replacement?

Over the long haul it as good as Laminate? Worse ?

Stone is out of the question due to cost. Hate tile.

Any feedback welcomed.


Haven't used it but I've heard good things about that Quartz product
from DuPont. I believe it uses quartz crystals in a man made base and
seems to combine the good qualities of granite with the good qualities
of man made materials.


--
John Willis
(Remove the Primes before e-mailing me)

:
: Haven't used it but I've heard good things about that Quartz
product
: from DuPont. I believe it uses quartz crystals in a man made base
and
: seems to combine the good qualities of granite with the good
qualities
: of man made materials.
:
:
: --
: John Willis
: (Remove the Primes before e-mailing me)


do you know of any websites for this product?
i would love to read more!

" rosie readandpost" wrote in message
: (Remove the Primes before e-mailing me)


do you know of any websites for this product?
i would love to read more!


http://www.zodiaq.com/

i LOVED our corian countertop!
we have granite now, and it shows each and every water spot.
my new house will have CORIAN once again!

--
MISSION ACCOMPLISHED?
9-27-04.................1050 american deaths
http://www.ac.wwu.edu/%7Estephan/USfatalities.html



"Dave" wrote in message
...
: Hello,
:
: Have contractor grade laminate now and is in bad shape after 13
years of
: wear. Needs replacing for sure.
:
: Any opinions on this material for kitchen counter replacement?
:
: Over the long haul it as good as Laminate? Worse ?
:
: Stone is out of the question due to cost. Hate tile.
:
: Any feedback welcomed.
:
:

We are about to have our second kitchen done in Silestone..Our old house we
had the kitchen remodelled and they installed Silestone and we loved it so
are having it again in our new house. Hard as granite but doesn't stain or
require sealing. Can sit a hot pan on it and not have a problem. It takes
a lot of effort to scratch it. A friend of ours had a house with corian and
every time someone sat a wine glass on it there would be a red stain which
had to be scrubbed off. Also the molded sink had a yellow tint to it. Also
it scratches very easily requiring you to have it repolished (if you choose
the polished finish) or you have to buff it out. I like the look when new
but if you use a kitchen a lot I would recommend something a bit more
durable.
HTH!
John


" rosie readandpost" wrote in message
...
i LOVED our corian countertop!
we have granite now, and it shows each and every water spot.
my new house will have CORIAN once again!

--
MISSION ACCOMPLISHED?
9-27-04.................1050 american deaths
http://www.ac.wwu.edu/%7Estephan/USfatalities.html



"Dave" wrote in message
...
: Hello,
:
: Have contractor grade laminate now and is in bad shape after 13
years of
: wear. Needs replacing for sure.
:
: Any opinions on this material for kitchen counter replacement?
:
: Over the long haul it as good as Laminate? Worse ?
:
: Stone is out of the question due to cost. Hate tile.
:
: Any feedback welcomed.
:
:

I like treated wood. Granite is too common.
"John" wrote in message
...
We are about to have our second kitchen done in Silestone..Our old house
we
had the kitchen remodelled and they installed Silestone and we loved it so
are having it again in our new house. Hard as granite but doesn't stain
or
require sealing. Can sit a hot pan on it and not have a problem. It
takes
a lot of effort to scratch it. A friend of ours had a house with corian
and
every time someone sat a wine glass on it there would be a red stain which
had to be scrubbed off. Also the molded sink had a yellow tint to it.
Also
it scratches very easily requiring you to have it repolished (if you
choose
the polished finish) or you have to buff it out. I like the look when new
but if you use a kitchen a lot I would recommend something a bit more
durable.
HTH!
John


" rosie readandpost" wrote in message
...
i LOVED our corian countertop!
we have granite now, and it shows each and every water spot.
my new house will have CORIAN once again!

--
MISSION ACCOMPLISHED?
9-27-04.................1050 american deaths
http://www.ac.wwu.edu/%7Estephan/USfatalities.html



"Dave" wrote in message
...
: Hello,
:
: Have contractor grade laminate now and is in bad shape after 13
years of
: wear. Needs replacing for sure.
:
: Any opinions on this material for kitchen counter replacement?
:
: Over the long haul it as good as Laminate? Worse ?
:
: Stone is out of the question due to cost. Hate tile.
:
: Any feedback welcomed.
:
:

Consider concrete, do it yourself and save big $'s.

Dave wrote:

Hello,

Have contractor grade laminate now and is in bad shape after 13 years of
wear. Needs replacing for sure.

Any opinions on this material for kitchen counter replacement?

Over the long haul it as good as Laminate? Worse ?

Stone is out of the question due to cost. Hate tile.

Any feedback welcomed.

"wtb" wrote in message
m...
Consider concrete, do it yourself and save big $'s.


Those always seem to me to be unsanitary. I understand you can seal them
but concrete being of pourous nature would soak up stuff..I do like the look
though, is there a tough finish you can put on it to make it durable in the
way of cleanup?

"John" wrote in message
...

"wtb" wrote in message
m...
Consider concrete, do it yourself and save big $'s.


Those always seem to me to be unsanitary. I understand you can seal them
but concrete being of pourous nature would soak up stuff..I do like the
look
though, is there a tough finish you can put on it to make it durable in
the
way of cleanup?


all the concrete counters i've seen were polished and then waxed. no
coatings at all.