Corian vs quartz worktops?

[hannah1122]

Renovation decision overload today! We are going for a white ish worktop and trying to decide between Corian and Quartz (or possibly marble).

Particularly worried about staining as not everything gets wiped up immediately.

If you have a light coloured Quartz or Corian it would be great to know how you have found it - we want something as easy to look after as possible!

When we went to John Lewis they recommended Quartz over Corian for light coloured worktops, but Corian for darker ones. The kitchen planner specifically mentioned issues with staining - particularly if you do a lot of spice / high fat cooking.

@Lily7050 thanks. That's exactly the same as our requirements - light but not plain boring white! Nothing is jumping out so far, maybe I'll order another round of samples

@Ozanj thanks, that's what I was worried about. Good to know - even though it was not what I was hoping to hear!! Did you go for Corian or Quartz?

[quote morningporridge]@Ozanj thanks, that's what I was worried about. Good to know - even though it was not what I was hoping to hear!! Did you go for Corian or Quartz?[/quote]
We’re definitely going for Quartz now. I just prefer the look of white / white effect marble tops and am willing to pay a bit extra for them. Needed to offset this in other areas but I think it’s worth it for me because darker tops are so difficult to keep spotless.

I have got a few light samples of Corian and quartz samples of Silestone Bianco Calacatta and Eternal Marfil. I tested them all with turmeric powder mixed with hot water and olive oil and all samples stained yellow, including Silestone.
Now I am confused.

I honestly don't understand the whole corian thing I get the impression it's a fake sort of martial and companies add something to then trademark it as their own?

I have white onyx Corian with ‘cashmere’ units so not a million miles off dove grey. Still immaculate after 3 years. I love it. White sink shows dirt v easily though. When it is v clean it is beautiful.

Corian is not a natural material, same as quartz. I understand they are more durable and easier to look after than natural marble or wood.

Was going to recommend the stainless steel sinks

Here’s mine

Thanks for all your comments and photos :)

Do you think Corian would be 'quieter' than Quartz? What I mean is less noise from kids clattering plates and cups down onto the worktop! And maybe things would be less likely to break? Or maybe there wouldn't be much difference?

I wonder which of two is easier to remove stains or repair?

We had corian in our old house and quartz in our new house. Both worktops are easy to clean. I would definitely avoid a corian sink though as ours did stain. With the quartz care does need to be taken on the sink edges to avoid chipping.

I don't think the quartz is very noisy, corian might be a bit quieter but there is not really a noise issue with either.

With both you need to take care with hot dishes. We have also had granite in the past and that was more robust and easier to take care of than both corian and quartz.

I have silestone which I think is the same as quartz - it's brilliant. Our kitchen designer recommended it over Corian as corian scratches easy.
I would say when I wipe it I need to dry it so it doesn't show smears (that might not bother you) and it's cold in winter if you lean on it.

@MrsPerfect12

I have silestone which I think is the same as quartz - it's brilliant. Our kitchen designer recommended it over Corian as corian scratches easy. I would say when I wipe it I need to dry it so it doesn't show smears (that might not bother you) and it's cold in winter if you lean on it.

MrsPerfect12 - what cleaner do you use on your Silestone? The Q-Action that the manufacturer recommends is extremely difficult to buy in the UK.

@Paquerette I use soapy water to be honest. I've used fabulousa too, I'm not that fussy with it.
I think the Q action stuff bubbles when I wipe so I'm forever trying to get it off then it's all streaky when it dries.

I have light quartz too. It terrified me to start off but seems to be very durable and hasn't stained. Only mark is where I bashed it with a saucepan, as I'm very clumsy.

Apparently, granite stains, the fitters were telling me about red wine stains to new tops.

[quote hannah1122]@kittykarate thanks, do you have white speckled Corian worktops?[/quote]
I do. Six years in and they're still like new.