How Does The Price Of Corian Countertops Compare To Granite?

When considering the right types of countertops for your home, the most popular options historically tend to be quartz or granite. That said, a lesser-known option — but equally worth considering, especially for the price — would be Corian countertops. Designed by DuPont in the late 1960s, Corian is the brand name it gave the material combination it created. By combining natural minerals and acrylic resin, DuPont developed a solid surface material that is used on many countertops today.

As for the costs involved, Diffen suggests that Corian countertops (also known as solid surface countertops) "range between $70 to $130 per square foot." Compared with granite countertops, this could be a pretty sweet deal if you're looking for a cheaper yet fairly durable solution. This is due to the fact that granite countertops tend to be higher in price, at an average of "$40 to $150 per foot," although it's worth noting that prices may have fluctuated since the time of writing.

Although price is an important factor when doing any home renovation, it's not the only thing you'll need to consider. Especially when it comes to countertops — believe it or not. There's an obvious reason many homeowners will opt for all-natural granite vs manufactured Corian (despite its higher price point), and that's because it lasts forever. Durability is a key USP for any home investment, so it's unsurprising that granite is still popular today despite the various other options out there.

So, why Corian? Aside from the fact it's clearly cheaper than its competitors, the stand-out difference between the two is that Corian countertops are continuously growing in their design capabilities, including borderline limitless color choices and styles. As a result, this can be an excellent alternative for those looking to spruce up their kitchen with a bespoke color palette or decor style. Although the durability of the Corian countertop is a talking point, it still doesn't stand a chance against granite — with an average 100-year lifespan, if well maintained, of course.

While Corian countertops are considered relatively low-maintenance, they are most certainly not burn-proof or particularly heat resistant, so you'll need to take extra care when cooking or putting hot pans on its surface. Despite this, unlike their granite counterparts, solid surface countertops don't have the added cost of being sealed every year. Granite, however, is still the more sound investment of the two in the long run — so if financial return is an important consideration for you, please bear that in mind.

When deciding whether or not to install Corian countertops at home, most tend to opt for a professional installation. However, you can DIY install your own solid surface countertops – although a fair amount of work and planning is involved. While this is technically possible, we still recommend hiring professionals to ensure the job is done correctly. We unconsciously use countertops every day, so take the time to research before committing.