Corian vs. Quartz Countertops: Which Is Right for You?
Corian versus quartz—let the battle begin
Highlights
Corian® and quartz are both durable and beautiful.
Corian® is more affordable than quartz.
Quartz is more stain-resistant than Corian®.
They both offer their own aesthetic advantages.
Kitchen remodeling requires making lots of decisions that, once installed, all need to come together to create a cohesive kitchen design. No pressure, right? At least when it comes to Corian® vs quartz countertops, you may not have to worry about making the right decision as they are both highly durable and beautiful. Though they each have a few advantages over the other.
Corian vs. Quartz: Key Differences
Corian® and quartz countertops are options for kitchen and bathroom countertops that are highly durable, easy to clean, and low maintenance. Even though they are very similar in many areas, they offer a few key differences in price, heat resistance, and appearance. Discussing these options with a Corian® installation professional near you can help you decide.
What Is Corian?
Corian® is the brand name of DuPont’s solid surface countertops that they invented in 1967. There are other types of solid surface countertop options on the market. Still, much like Kleenex is a ubiquitous term for tissues, the term Corian® is often used interchangeably with solid surface when talking about countertops. Corian® countertops blend natural materials, resins, and pigments to create a solid and highly durable kitchen surface.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Nonporous | Not as hard as quartz or granite |
| More affordable than quartz | Doesn’t handle heat as well as quartz |
| Can be manufactured into unique shapes and colors | Contains less natural materials |
Best for:
Homeowners that want unique designs and patterns
Those who want the strength of natural stone without the pricetag
Home designs that benefit from the look of natural stone
Pros of Corian
Corian® comes with several unique pros that make them a great choice for busy kitchens:
Nonporous: Because Corian® is manufactured by combining about 66% natural minerals with 33% resins and pigments, it creates a nonporous surface that is easy to clean, and that doesn’t need to be sealed.
Affordable: Corian® is typically more affordable than quartz with similar low-maintenance requirements over the life of the countertop. Corian® countertops cost between $2,200 and $5,000, with an average cost of $3,950.
Unique shapes and colors: Corian® is manufactured by molding it into the desired shapes. It also offers a wide range of colors from bright white to deep blue to speckled beiges and tans. As a result, if you want a unique countertop shape, want to create a continuous transition between elements, or introduce a striking color, Corian® can likely achieve the look you want.
Cons of Corian
Even though Corian® is a highly durable material made from natural minerals, it does come with some cons that you should consider before deciding on it:
Not as hard as quartz: Corian® has a lower percentage of natural minerals and rock, so it is less hard than quartz. This means it may be more prone to scratches, though they are relatively easy to repair.
Not as heat resistant as other materials: Corian® doesn’t hold up to heat as well as quartz and other materials. It’s essential to make sure that the countertop is protected from hot pans by using a potholder or trivet to keep the pans off of the countertop.
Contains less natural material: If you’re looking for natural materials, Corian® does contain natural materials but fewer than other options like quartz or granite.
What Is Quartz?
Quartz countertops are manufactured by mixing quartz crystals with resin. The typical makeup is about 90% quartz and 10% resin, though the ratio can vary slightly depending on the manufacturer. Quartz countertops can be manufactured to look like granite or marble countertops by mixing in different minerals or adding veining during the manufacturing process.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Nonporous | More expensive than Corian® |
| Heat resistant | May have visible seams |
| Can mimic other materials | Not as easy to repair as Corian® |
Best for:
Homes that want a nearly natural material
Busy kitchens that need a low maintenance countertop
Kitchens that want the look of a marble or granite countertop at a more affordable price
Pros of Quartz
Quartz offers many benefits over Corian®, making it an excellent alternative to natural stone.
Nonporous: Unlike granite, which needs to be sealed to protect it from spills, quartz is nonporous and won’t need to be sealed to be stain-resistant.
Heat resistant: Quartz is highly heat resistant, so while you shouldn’t leave hot pans on the surface, it likely won’t hurt them if you set a pan down for a second or two. Corian®, on the other hand, may become discolored after contact with a hot pan.
Can mimic other materials: Quartz colors are typically white, beige, tan, and gray, and they can be made to mimic other materials, namely marble and granite.
Cons of Quartz
Quartz is a high-quality material. Still, it has some cons that should be considered before making your final decision:
More expensive than Corian: While it’s not as expensive as granite or marble, it is more costly than Corian®. Quartz countertops cost between $1,500 and $12,000, with an average cost of $4,500.
May have visible seams: Even though every effort is made to manufacture a countertop without seams, they are sometimes unavoidable in quartz countertops, depending on the size and shape that’s needed.
Not as easy to repair as Corian: If Corian® becomes scratched, the scratches can be buffed out or repaired with a solid surface repair kit. Quartz countertops may require a special filler compound that should be applied with a syringe and that needs to be buffed and polished after it’s dried.
Head to Head: Corian vs. Quartz
Appearance: Tie
Corian® solid surface versus quartz countertops are a tie as far as appearance is concerned, and they can both mimic other materials, like granite and marble. If you’re looking for a custom color or pattern or want bold colors, like blues or reds, then Corian® has a slight edge.
Durability: Quartz
This is nearly a tie, but quartz is slightly more durable than Corian®. It is made with around 90% natural minerals and is highly scratch-resistant. Corian®, while a little more prone to scratches, is easier to repair than quartz.
Price: Corian
The price of Corian® solid surface vs quartz is $45 to $65 per square foot for Corian® versus $50 to $200 for quartz, so Corian® is typically less expensive than quartz. That said, they are relatively comparable, so it’s important to factor in other variables like durability and appearance when you’re bringing your kitchen countertop ideas on a budget to life.
Ease of Repair: Corian
Both materials are scratch-resistant, but Corian® may scratch more easily than quartz. Luckily, Corian® countertops are relatively easy to repair. Any minor scratches can likely be buffed out. If scratches are deep, you can fill the gap with a repair kit that cures in just a few minutes.