Corian vs Quartz Countertops: Pros and Cons

Corian and Quartz are the two most popular man-made kitchen countertops. When you think about countertop options for your kitchen, these act as a very practical and convenient choice. Corian countertops vs Quartz have different features & qualities. So, you should consider evaluating their advantages and disadvantages before making your purchase.

Here’s information about how Quartz vs Corian are different from each other based on pros & cons, price and durability. First, let’s determine the meaning of Corian vs quartz countertops!

What Are Corian Countertops?

Corian is another name for solid surface countertops, first introduced by DuPont’s. These countertops are non-porous and are made of a homogeneous product. Caesarstone has a variety of solid surface countertops that can mimic the look of granite, stone, or marble, among others but is low-maintenance and pocket-friendly.

What Are Quartz countertops?

Quartz is a natural stone, and that’s the reason these countertops are referred to as man-made. These countertops are generally made from ground-up particles of stone mixed with plastic resins. Quartz countertops have unlimited designs and colours to choose from. These are durable, beautiful and easy to take care of, which makes them the perfect option to consider.

Pros and Cons of Corian vs Quartz countertops

Several factors are responsible for the good and bad of Quartz and Corian countertops. Let’s take a look into these factors in more detail below:

1. Appearance

Both Corian and quartz countertops have an extensive range of colours and patterns. Corian countertops can mimic the look of wood, stone, marble etc., but the synthetic materials will appear more artificial. Anyhow these can be moulded perfectly in place seamlessly.

Quartz countertops can mimic the natural stones almost perfectly and provide realistic visuals. However, the seams are not as perfect as Corian.

2. Easy Maintenance

Both Corian and Quartz countertops can be easily maintained. You can wipe them with soap and warm water or any mild household cleaner for regular cleaning.

3. Durability

Between these countertops, Quartz is one of the most durable materials you will find. Even though Corian is not cheap or easy to damage surface, Quartz has an advantage over Corian, especially when it comes to durability. Corian has a long-lasting surface; as long as you take proper care of it, it will stay in great shape for years to come, but these countertops are not as strong as Quartz countertops.

4. Stain Resistance

Both Corian and quartz countertops have a non-porous property that enables them to be stain-resistant. Even though the liquids cannot penetrate the surface and rarely leave marks, stains can still occur if you do not maintain their proper care.

5. Scratch Resistance

While Corian countertops are easily repairable, they are prone to scratches. On the other hand, quartz countertops are scratch-resistant. So if you don’t want your new countertops to sustain scratches, go for quartz countertops.

6. Heat Resistance

Corian countertops can get scorched easily. Therefore, you cannot put hot pans or pots directly on its surface. On the other hand, Quartz countertops have a higher resistance for hot skillets. While it’s recommended not to put heated objects directly on the surface of Quartz countertops, in case of emergency, it will hold up much better than Corian countertop surfaces.

7. Cost

Corian ranges between $40 to $65 per square foot, while Quartz ranges between $50 to $75 per square foot. But if you are looking for a better-quality countertop, you can expect to pay up to $200 per square foot.

Corian vs. Quartz: Which one is better for your kitchen?

Choosing a perfect countertop for your kitchen will be a long-term commitment. That’s why it’s important to consider the qualities and functionality of your countertops before you finally install them. You can compare the qualities or properties of both Corian and Quartz side by side to know which one is better than the other. The general questions asked by people are:

Is Corian cheaper than Quartz?

Generally, Corian is cheaper than Quartz countertops, but not by a huge amount. It’s important to notice that Corian will add in your cost more over time because of the material’s fragility and poor resale value.

Which is More Durable?

Corian countertops do not last as long as Quartz countertops. On average, Corian countertops usually last for 10-20 years, as they can be easily damaged.

Meanwhile, quality Quartz countertops can easily last you for 50+ years. So, in terms of long-haul quartz countertops are more cost-effective than the Corian ones.

Which One is Recommended the Most?

Based on qualities, Quartz is much better than Corian. Even though both countertop materials have similar costs and are non-porous, Quartz has a much longer life expectancy, stain resistance and a better tendency to hold everyday scratches, burns and damage.

But if you are looking for unique designs and unusual shapes for your countertops, Corian countertops are a perfect choice for you. Remember that it’s not a very practical material for regular kitchen activities, and it will not add a ton of resale value to your property.

Conclusion:

The surface materials of both Corian and Quartz are ideal for keeping your kitchen design as convenient and practical as possible. While both Corian and Quartz have some similar functions, they vary in their other qualities. Like, both Corian and Quartz countertops are non-porous, easy to maintain and have a large variety of colours and patterns. However, their performance is very different from each other.

For example, Corian countertops can scorch and be scratched easily, while quartz countertops do not. Similarly, Quartz comes in a conventional natural stone design, while Corian countertops allow custom curves, spirals, shapes and range of backsplashes as possible.

So, if you are looking for practicality and long-term sustainability, you should go for quartz countertops. And if you’re looking for unique and modern design countertops that you don’t mind maintaining and installing for aesthetic purposes, then Corian countertops may be suitable for you.