Corian is cheaper than quartz upfront. You can expect to pay between $40 and $65 per square foot for Corian while quartz starts at $40 and can extend well beyond $200 per square foot. Corian will cost more over the long haul due to the material's fragility and poor resale value.
Strength and Durability
Quartz is virtually invulnerable to nastiness like stains, mold and bacteria. Quartz is extremely durable. Corian attracts scratches.
Cost. Corian brand products tend to be priced between $40 to $140 per square foot. Quartz is around $50 to $120, while granite is $35 to $100. All three are similar in cost and will carry a higher price tag based on the appearance of the material.
In terms of durability, Corian tends to be more easily damaged by hot surfaces than natural stone. It's also more prone to scratches than surfaces like quartz and granite.
If you want the countertop that is a better all-around choice for your home, quartz is the way to go. Although Corian closely compares in most categories, quartz is more durable and is scratch resistant – two key factors that will make an impact in the home.
Durability
– Granite is much more heat resistant than quartz. – Granite scratches less easily than quartz.
Corian and other solid surface materials are generally warranted for 10 years; but in practice, they can easily last 30 years or more.
While Corian® Solid Surface is heat resistant, as with all countertop materials, it is important to minimize direct heat exposure to protect your surface and investment. Important — Do not place hot pots, pans, etc. directly on the countertop surface.
Quartz. Quartz is the most durable countertop material. A perfect choice for any kitchen or bathroom, quartz countertops contain a mixture of crushed quartz and resin. These materials create diverse appearance options that range from vibrant, customizable colors to the tried-and-true natural finish.
Marble tops the most-expensive list due in large part to its elegant looks. The good: It will instantly lift your kitchen or bathroom to another level.
Slate is one of the most affordable countertop materials, with an approximate cost of $20 to $60 per square foot. It is a stunning countertop material that offers a variety of colors including blacks, greys, blues, greens, browns, and even reds. And because each slab is uniquely made, it provides uniform countertops.
Both quartz and Corian solid surfaces are non-porous, stain-resistant and extremely sanitary. Granite is also durable, but can still be prone to cracking, fissures and staining. And granite requires simple, but regular, sealing to maintain.
When choosing a natural stone option, granite is widely considered to be the best stone slab for kitchen countertops. It has a reputation as a premium stone material that will elevate your kitchen design. One of the most appealing features of granite countertops are their beauty.
For many years solid surface (Corian) countertops were considered a high-end alternative to granite tops. While granite consistently enjoys the top spot in luxury reviews, solid surface has declined in popularity. It's not dead yet though.
Many consumers look to Swanstone as a less expensive alternative to Corian or Avonite. One benefit of Swan's diversified product lines is that they are a good source of solid surface integrated sink countertops, especially bathroom vanity tops. Swanstone stands up well against high heat.
If you have soft surface countertops like granite or marble, step away from the magic eraser. You can use them on laminate, Corian, quartz, and other solid surface countertops, but do a spot check.
Disinfecting Occasionally wipe surface with diluted household bleach - 1:100 (5 Tbsp. of bleach to 1 gallon of water, as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for disinfection of surfaces).
For most residues, all you need to clean your Corian® Solid Surface countertops is warm soapy water, ammonia-based household cleaner, or a dedicated countertop cleaner. Do avoid window cleaners, however, as they can leave a waxy build-up that dulls the surface.
No. Corian® is colour stable and non-photosensitive. This is because it contains an acrylic binding agent that does not turn yellow. However, some materials that imitate Corian® do turn yellow if exposed to light owing to their different composition.
Lifespan. Warranties on quartz countertops last from 10 years to the life of your home. In reality, they have the potential to last much longer than your house. The man-made products used in their construction don't break down over time, and the natural materials are all but indestructible.
Keep high temperature items off the countertop, as these can cause the material to expand and then crack when it reaches the cooler, solid material and has nowhere else to go. Use trivets and potholders for hot pans and spoons. Also, be careful putting down anything too heavy too quickly.
Quartz countertops are more scratch- and heat-resistant than Corian countertops. Quartz and Corian are both durable materials, but they differ in terms of heat resistance and scratch resistance. In fact, the biggest difference between these materials lies in their resistance to heat.
Basically, Corian® Solid Surface is a very durable surface that looks great and is reasonably priced. Cambria Quartz countertops are extremely durable and have the look and feel of natural stone and are slightly more expensive than Corian®.