Countertop Materials

Corian


Corian® is a solid surfacing brand created by DuPont that has earned trust and respect as a proven material that brings design versatility, long-term performance and value to any environment. Much more than a countertop, Corian® lends itself to imaginative uses, innovative interpretations and enduring applications. It can be cut, routed, drilled, sculpted, bent, or worked like a fine wood. The ever-evolving color palette now extends to more than 100 colors. If you can envision it, chances are you can create it with Corian®.

With virtually unlimited design possibilities, Corian® has a distinct advantage over other materials:


• Over 98% of the people who have purchased Corian® are very satisfied and recommend it to their friends and family.
• Corian® has a worldwide distribution network that offers consistent product quality and professional customer service.
• Design possibilities are multiplied with the ever-evolving color palette, currently exceeding 100 colors.
• Custom and versatile designs can be achieved by combining Corian® with countless other materials, such as Zodiaq®, brass, tile, granite, or another Color of Corian®.
• Corian® can be formed, shaped or molded to fit any design and has a seamless appearance.
• The nonporous surface of Corian® is safe, easy to clean and requires no sealing.
• DuPont stands behind every purchase of Corian® to ensure customer satisfaction.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Silestone


Silestone is the world's leading quartz surface, combining strength and beauty to create a superior choice for nearly any surface in your home or office.

Ideal for kitchen countertops, bathroom vanity tops, shower wall cladding, flooring, table tops, and so much more, Silestone offers a unique mix of strength and elegance with no maintenance required.

Silestone offers benefits that outperform other surfaces, such as scratch and scorch resistance that can't be matched by plastic or solid surfaces, and resistance to stains that can't be matched by even sealed granite or marble. And with over 48 colors available in the U.S., and virtually unlimited edge designs to choose from, Silestone offers something for everyone to love.

Plus, Silestone has the widest availability of any quartz surface in the world.

With more than 48 colors available and virtually unlimited array of edge options, Silestone offers maximum design flexibility. Silestone's unsurpassed combination of strength, beauty and elegance make it ideal for surfaces all around the home.

• Kitchen countertops (islands, peninsulas, L-shaped counters and more)
• Bathroom vanity tops (single bowl, double bowl, multi-level vanity tops and more)
• Shower stalls (wall cladding, shelving for your shower, soap holder and more)
• Tub surrounds (raised cladding, steps, benches, and other imaginative elements around any tub)
• Table tops (for your kitchen and dinning room tables, bedside tables and lamp tables to name a few)
• Fireplace surrounds (numerous tiles or few large pieces; multicolored or one same hue)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Granite Counters

Natural stone countertops, such as granite, marble and soapstone, are considered to be the height of elegance and will last longer than most kitchens or bathrooms. While natural stone looks very attractive, when installed in solid pieces it is the most expensive option in countertops. A less expensive option that will offer the same appearance is to have the stone installed in pieces.

One way to reduce the expense of installing a stone countertop is to have the stone cut into squares (usually 12") and applied like ceramic tiles with grout. This provides the natural beauty at much less expense than solid stone, and the individual squares can be replaced if severely damaged.

Be sure to keep several extra squares when you have your countertop installed so the pieces used to make repairs in the future will match the rest of the countertop.

Remember that stone counters do require some care. The naturally porous surface of stone needs to be regularly sealed to repel water-and oil-based stains. Soapstone, in particular, is soft and the most prone to chipping.

Professionals can often polish small scratches and chips from your countertop. Cleaning and polishing can also restore the shine back to stone which has become dull and hazy. And, if a solid stone surface cracks, the entire countertop will need to be replaced.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Laminate Countertops

The least expensive countertop option, laminate is also the most popular. Laminate countertops are quite durable and easy to maintain and, if well cared for, can last 15 to 20 years. This style of counter is made from a base of plywood or particleboard that spans across the top of a cabinet and covered with a laminated finish.

Watch for scratches and scuffs and do not cut or put anything hot directly on laminate surfaces. Consider setting a few tiles or other heat-resistant material flush in a laminate countertop near the stove or oven to be able to set hot pans down without trivets.

Laminate countertops may now be repaired and resurfaced at a fraction of the cost of replacement. The cracks and burns are repaired with a special plastic filler, then sanded smooth to fill in any rough or damaged areas. The counter is then sprayed with a special topcoat, which gives the appearance and durability of a new laminate countertop. The process usually takes four to five hours, and your kitchen will be ready to use the next day.

 
 
 

Kitchen & Bath Expressions
1175 Ridge Rd.
Webster, NY 14580
(V) 585.872.6130
(F) 585.872.6405

 
Showroom Hours
Monday thru Friday
8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Evenings and Saturdays
by Appointment
 
 
Have a Question or Comment?
 
Copyright © 2005 ~ MacGraphic Designs