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Quartz vs. Granite vs. Corian: Comparing Kitchen Countertop Options

One of the first things you notice about a kitchen design is the countertop. Kitchen countertops cover a lot of space, and come in many varied materials, styles & colors. Three of today’s most popular options are granite, quartz & Corian® countertops. So, how do you choose the right countertop material for your project? While it largely depends on your preference, there are a few crucial factors to consider when selecting your kitchen countertops.

silestone quartz countertops on light green kitchen cabinets

Countertop Composition & Appearance

All three materials are beautiful and come in a wide variety of styles and colors. One of the main differences between granite, quartz & Corian® is their compositions.

Granite is a natural stone, mined from the Earth all over the world. Natural minerals give the granite its color & pattern. Because of this, granite colors and styles can more limited than other, engineered materials. While it is possible to get multiple slabs of granite in the same color, no two slabs are exactly alike. The granite countertops in your home are like an original piece of art, on display for all to see.

Quartz countertops are an engineered stone, typically made up of about 93% natural quartz bound together by resin and pigments. As a manufactured product, the style and color options are nearly limitless, and slabs can be made identical to one another. Quartz can also be engineered to look like a natural stone product, including granite and marble.

Corian® is a popular brand of solid surface, an engineered product that has been around since the 1960s. Solid surface is composed of a pure acrylic polymer and natural minerals. It is considered a specialty product that requires specific knowledge to fabricate & install. Corian comes in a lot of color options and can be installed with no visible seams and in any shape. Because of its composition, solid surface is impervious to mold & bacteria, making it a particularly popular choice for bathrooms and many commercial applications.

Kitchen Countertop Durability & Maintenance

Is durability an important factor when it comes to your kitchen countertops? Well, granite and quartz are two of the “hardest” materials out there, making them a logical choice. However, all three countertop materials have their benefits and drawbacks.

fantasy brown granite countertop

Durability

Granite is the most durable material of the three and boasts exceedingly high heat & scratch resistance. However, as a porous material, granite can be very susceptible to stains & bacteria if not sealed properly. In many instances you will need to reseal your granite countertops every 6 months to a year, to ensure proper protection.

Quartz is a nonporous surface and, as a result, is stain and bacteria resistant. However, quartz is less scratch & heat resistant than granite, and can be damaged when unprotected from sharp objects or hot elements. Regular use of cutting boards or trivets is highly recommended.

Corian, or solid surface, is best known for its stellar stain and bacteria resistance. However, Corian is prone to scratches and, like quartz, is not heat-resistant. The benefit of solid surface is that any damage is usually repairable by the fabricator. However, the availability of solid surface fabricators has dwindled over time, and they may be difficult to find in your area.

close up of a Corian kitchen countertop

Maintenance

The biggest difference in countertop maintenance is the need for sealant.

As we said above, granite typically requires sealing every 6 months to a year depending on its use. A homeowner can tell that a granite countertop needs sealing when water is absorbed by the surface, forming water stains or spots. While it may sound like a pain, the sealing process is quite easy to follow and can be done as a DIY project. Some sealants do require a curing period of up to 24 hours.

Granite countertops also require the use of mild household cleaners only, or even just soap and water. More abrasive cleaners, like bleach or ammonia, should be avoided as to not damage the surface.

Quartz countertops do not require the use of any sealing at any point and can tolerate most household cleaners. We do not recommend the use of especially abrasive cleaners, as they may still damage the surface over time.

Corian countertops can handle most household cleaners, and do not need to be sealed to maintain its stain & bacteria resistance.

Affordability of Quartz, Granite & Corian Countertops

The prices of quartz, granite & Corian can vary widely depending on the color you choose and its availability. For example, granite countertop can cost you anywhere from about $35 a square foot to well over $100+ a square foot, especially if the color you selected is rare or exotic. Similarly, quartz and solid surface have a wide variation in price. Even though solid surface has long been considered the “affordable” alternative to granite or quartz, which is not necessarily the case.

How Are Kitchen Countertops Priced?

You may be asking: which countertop material is the most expensive? Well, it depends. Kitchen countertops are priced in a tiered system. Each color is placed in a tier depending on availability, popularity, and other factors. The higher the tier, the more expensive it gets. When you are looking at affordability of each countertop material, consider what color option you might pick in each category. The quartz color you like might end up being in a lower tier than the granite or Corian colors you picked, resulting in a lower price.

granite slabs at a stone yard

Countertop Material Availability

Another key factor to think about when considering Corian is the availability of solid surface fabricators in your area. While there are many granite suppliers and quartz manufacturers to choose from, the market and availability of Corian is considerably smaller. Solid surface is a specialty product that requires specific training to be able to fabricate and install correctly.

Many countertop retailers do not offer solid surface, because certified fabricators are hard to come by, and the demand is not as strong as it used to be. If you want to use Corian in your kitchen design, check to see if you have a certified fabricator in your area first. This will save you from project delays, resulting in higher renovation costs down the line.

Value Added to Your Home

Another factor to consider when choosing a kitchen countertop for your home is the potential value a certain material can add over others. If you are considering selling your home soon, you may be wondering what your return on investment (ROI) will be to remodel your kitchen. Your kitchen countertops are just as important as your cabinets when it comes to ROI. They are one of the first things that a potential buyer will notice, along with the cabinets, appliances, and backsplash. So, which material will get you the best ROI?

Currently, quartz kitchen countertops are today’s most popular & trendy option in today’s homes. The explosion of quartz popularity is mainly because of its versatility, variety of color options, and its “maintenance-free” reputation. If you are looking to appeal to the masses and get the highest selling price for your home, quartz is the way to go.

However, many homeowners still like and prefer natural stone in their kitchens. If you are on a tighter budget but still want to maximize the return on your investment, granite is your next best option. Granite has many colors and style options to fit any design and appeal to as many potential buyers as possible.

Despite Corian’s many color options, today’s home buyers consider Corian to be a dated product and may see the countertops as something they will need to remodel down the road. If you are remodeling your kitchen for the sake of selling to the highest bidder, we suggest that you stay away from Corian and select either granite or quartz for your kitchen countertops.

a large granite quarry with an excavator

Countertop Sustainability Concerns

If eco-friendly materials are important to you, some countertop materials are more sustainable than others. Quartz countertops are often made in the USA and contain one of the Earth’s most prolific minerals, natural quartz, along with other recycled content. The countertops also last a long time, which is why many come with hefty warranties attached.

Corian countertops are also eco-friendly, despite being a manufactured product. Their production does not require heavy mining, and they are durable and repairable.

Granite countertops are the least environmentally friendly option on this list. Despite being a natural product, they require heavy mining to obtain, and must be carefully transported from around the world.

Warranty Options

One final thing you may want to consider is the warranty that accompanies your chosen countertop material. Corian® provides residential customers with a 10-year, transferrable, limited warranty, provided that the countertops are installed by a Corian-authorized fabricator/installer. The warranty covers the repair and/or replacement of your countertops, as long as they were not subject to excessive heat or physical abuse.

Quartz warranties depend on the brand you choose. For example, Cambria® offers a lifetime transferrable warranty on their quartz products. Silestone offers a 25-year transferrable warranty if you activate your warranty within 6 months of purchase. Viatera, by LG Hausys, offers a 15-year transferrable, limited warranty. We recommend you speak with your kitchen designer or visit the quartz brand website for the most current warranty information available.

Granite warranties, like quartz, depend on the supplier you purchase your slabs from and can vary in coverage terms. Norfolk Kitchen & Bath works with many local stone suppliers in the New Hampshire & Massachusetts area. For the most current warranty information on your product, please ask your kitchen designer.

Cambria quartz countertops in a modern kitchen

Is Quartz, Granite or Corian Better?

As we said in the beginning of this article: the best kitchen countertop option depends on your preferences and specific needs. If durability is your biggest concern, granite may be your preferred countertop material. However, if you are looking to maximize your home sale price or get the most sustainable product, then quartz is your best choice. Even Corian, despite a decline in popularity, has an edge over the other materials in terms of repairability and bacteria-resistance. The best choice for your kitchen countertop comes down to what works best for you and your family. For more information on how various countertop materials compare to one another, download our free countertop comparison sheet.

Download Countertop Comparison Sheet

Design Your Dream Kitchen at Norfolk Kitchen & Bath

From kitchen cabinets to countertops and everything in between, Norfolk is your one stop shop for all things kitchen remodeling. We offer a wide range of kitchen cabinetry and countertops for all budgets, including granite and quartz products! We also have an expert design team, many with decades of experience navigating the nuances of a kitchen remodel. Norfolk Kitchen & Bath has six kitchen showrooms in Massachusetts & New Hampshire offering free expert design services. Stop by a showroom today to learn more about our products and services or schedule your free design consultation to get started on your remodeling journey today!