Home Improvement: Why Choose Corian Style Counters?

Because we spend so much time in our kitchens, investing in kitchen home improvement can have a positive impact on our daily lives.

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corian counters, corian colors, corian pricing, corian solid surface, solid surface kitchen tops

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For many families, the kitchen is the heart of the home. It's a gathering place where kids do homework, events of the day are discussed, and meals are prepared and shared. Because we spend so much time in our kitchens, investing in kitchen home improvement can have a positive impact on our daily lives. High quality and energy efficient appliances can help ease the business of living, while Corian style counters can add both beauty and functionality to the space where we spend so much time.

The Advantages of Corian Style Counters

Corian counters, also known as solid surface kitchen tops, offer a number of advantages over plastic laminate or ceramic tile countertops. Although plastic laminate countertops are fairly durable and inexpensive, they consist of only a single surface layer of color. This surface can fade over time, and can be damaged by cuts from knives or other sharp objects. They can also become damaged from direct heat. Although laminate countertops may look nice when they're first installed, they're not easily repaired and can begin to look worn relatively quickly.

Tile countertops are heat resistant, but using tiles and grout means that the countertop is often uneven. In addition, it can be difficult to clean the grout lines, which can become stained over time. Furthermore, ceramic tile can crack and chip, and replacing damaged tiles is a daunting tasks.

Corian solid surface counters, on the other hand, are nonporous, and so are both heat- and water-resistant. They're smooth for easy cleaning, and generally have no visible seams. Furthermore, because the color goes all the way through the material (instead of a single layer, as is the case with plastic laminate) scratches can be buffed or sanded out. They can also have resistance to mold and bacteria, which ensures that your family isn't inadvertently exposed to illness.

Corian Colors and Corian Pricing

While it's true that plastic laminate countertops come in virtually limitless colors and designs, there are a myriad of Corian colors that are sure to complement your kitchen design. The best way to choose Corian colors is to obtain samples, and then to coordinate with the colors of your cabinets, appliances and walls.

Traditionally, Corian pricing has been high when compared to other types of kitchen tops. However, if you are an accomplished do-it-yourselfer, there are now Corian style counters available that you can install yourself. These kits consist of prefabricated elements based on the design of your specific kitchen, and can contain everything from your Corian style counters to glue to an instructional DVD on installation. Corian solid surface kits cost about half of what you'd pay to buy Corian and have it installed by professionals.

Every home should have a kitchen that reflects the family's lifestyle. Corian style counters can add a beautiful appearance and the type of functionality that today's family needs.

Corian Style Counters: A Do-it-Yourself Project?

Traditionally, distributors have held the reins on Corian style counters, insisting on professional installation that can cost up to $80 per square foot. Now, however, Corian style counters are available in relatively easy do-it-yourself kits.

Keywords:

corian counters, corian colors, corian pricing, corian solid surface, solid surface kitchen tops

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If you're planning to renovate your kitchen, buying new appliances is a proverbial piece of cake. Painting? A no-brainer. But replacing your countertops may give you pause - especially if you're looking to upgrade to Corian style counters. Traditionally, manufacturers and distributors have held the reins on Corian style counters, insisting on professional installation that can cost up to $80 per square foot. Now, however, Corian style counters - known more generically as solid surface counters or solid surface kitchen tops - are available in relatively easy do-it-yourself kits.

Why Corian Style Counters?

Corian solid surface counters have a number of advantages. First, they last seemingly forever. Second, Corian counters are solid surface sheets, meaning that the Corian colors go all the way through. Plastic laminate countertops, by contrast, have only one layer of color, so the surface can be permanently marred by knife cuts, lose color in areas of heavy use, and sometimes even peel back. If a solid surface counter becomes marred, you can just sand it down and retain the beauty of the material. Third, Corian style counters are more forgiving than tile when it comes to breakage. If you drop a dish on a Corian solid surface, the dish is not as likely to break and you don't have to worry about the tile chipping.

Taking the Plunge

If you are a seasoned do-it-yourselfer, you shouldn't run into many problems installing a solid surface counter. Plus, you'll be astounded at the cost savings. Corian pricing can be as much as $80 per square foot, while do-it-yourself solid surface counters are about half that. While the actual installation process might not be daunting, it's crucial that you correctly calculate the length of the Corian style counters you'll need. The company that ships your materials to you will need precise measurements.

Measuring For Materials

Most kitchens are either straight tops or include joining two tops at a 90-degree corner. They typically include a glued 1-1/2 inch front edge and a 3-1/2 inch backsplash that is applied later. To determine the amount of solid surface counter you need, measure the length of your existing countertops. For standard depth countertops, you add up the lengths and divide by 12. This will give you the amount of lineal feet you will need to order. So, for example, if you have two 96-inch countertops, you would add 96 and 96, and then divide by 12. In this example, you would need 16 lineal feet of countertop.

New Corian style counters will give your kitchen a fresh look, and will last seemingly forever. If you're handy with woodworking, you shouldn't have a problem installing Corian style counters yourself. So take the plunge and spruce up your kitchen!