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Corian has had a color called Glacier White for well over 20 years that gives that bright white look. If a color called Designer White turns you on, go for it. Some folks criticize Corian because its resin is a petrochemical made of oil. Well, I would rather use a barrel of oil to make some countertops that can easily last 30 years than burn up that oil driving around in a gas guzzler. That carbon is in a stable form in my kitchen not fouling the atmosphere. But to each his or her own. And some folks call granite "natural" but my guess is that they've never seen photos of the thousands of open pit quarries all over the world where the stone is ripped from the earth. And they've never read about the safety hazards and child labor and other forms of exploitation in many of the Third World quarries. And they don't know anything about the resin impregnation and color enhancers and other forms of "doctoring" that are used to bring cheap "granite" to the U.S. market. I put "granite" in quotes because many of these stones are no more closely related to real geological granite than a mouse is related to an elephant. Get-rich-quick artists selling cheap "granite" are peddling stones that absorb and discolor when exposed to olive oil and etch and deteriorate when exposed to lemon juice. Corian is a great countertop product. High quality granite is a great countertop product. Quartz is great. Butcher block is great. Plastic laminate is great for those on a budget. Every single material has shortcomings, and must be cared for properly. Do your homework, and choose what YOU really like. Ask me questions at TopRepair.com.

I've been in the countertop business for 24 years, and it's fascinating to read all of these comments. Every type of countertop material has its advantages and disadvantages, but DuPont Corian (solid surface) is my personal favorite. Why? Excellent sanitation and stain resistance, option of coved backsplashes and integral sinks, wide range of colors and patterns, very good color consistency from batch to batch, outstanding design versatility, and excellent potential for repair and/or modification if needed. Yes, Corian can be damaged if a very hot pot is placed on it, but it can be repaired. All types of countertops are subject to various kinds of damage, and in many cases are difficult or impossible to repair.

Corian can scratch, but with normal usage, scratches are a minor problem. Scratches will be more visible on darker colors and glossy finishes, but that's true of ALL materials, not just Corian. It is easy for a moderately skilled person to refinish Corian countertops to "like new" condition by a simple sanding and buffing procedure.

If you want maximum heat resistance, get stainless steel countertops. If you want a beautiful natural material, get granite, but be aware that many granites are resin impregnated and/or need regular resealing. Beware of fly-by-night granite dealers. If you want the look of granite without the staining, get quartz (engineered stone). If you want an economical countertop, get plastic laminate. If you just LOVE dirty grout lines, get ceramic tile. If you can live with countertops that can be damaged by wine or lemon juice, install marble in your kitchen. Ask lots of questions of lots of people.

Corian is an all-around great countertop material. But if you really don't like it, don't get it. After you've informed yourself, buy what you like.

Jim Heaphy
www.TopRepair.com

I've been in the countertop business for 24 years, and it's fascinating to read all of these comments. Every type of countertop material has its advantages and disadvantages, but DuPont Corian (solid surface) is my personal favorite. Why? Excellent sanitation and stain resistance, option of coved backsplashes and integral sinks, wide range of colors and patterns, very good color consistency from batch to batch, outstanding design versatility, and excellent potential for repair and/or modification if needed. Yes, Corian can be damaged if a very hot pot is placed on it, but it can be repaired. All types of countertops are subject to various kinds of damage, and in many cases are difficult or impossible to repair.

Corian can scratch, but with normal usage, scratches are a minor problem. Scratches will be more visible on darker colors and glossy finishes, but that's true of ALL materials, not just Corian. It is easy for a moderately skilled person to refinish Corian countertops to "like new" condition by a simple sanding and buffing procedure.

One error that crops up repeatedly in these comments is confusing a brand name (Formica) with their most famous early product (thin plastic laminate that's glued to plywood or particle board). Formica also makes solid surface materials that are quite similar to Corian. You can't generalize about Formica's characteristics without narrowing down the specific product being discussed. Formica plastic laminate is similar in performance to other brands such as Wilsonart plastic laminate. Formica solid surface is similar in performance to other brands such as Corian and many others.

If you want maximum heat resistance, get stainless steel countertops. If you want a beautiful natural material, get granite, but be aware that many granites are resin impregnated and/or need regular resealing. Beware of fly-by-night granite dealers. If you want the look of granite without the staining, get quartz (engineered stone). If you want an economical countertop, get plastic laminate. If you just LOVE dirty grout lines, get ceramic tile. If you can live with countertops that can be damaged by wine or lemon juice, install marble in your kitchen. Ask lots of questions of lots of people.

Corian is an all-around great countertop material. But if you really don't like it, don't get it. After you've informed yourself, buy what you like.

Jim Heaphy
www.TopRepair.com