Testing Countertops: Corian vs. Quartz and more!

5/2/2019

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Join us on the countertop exploration part of our budget-friendly galley kitchen makeover - testing quartz vs. solid surface vs. ultra compact countertops!

We've already upgraded our appliances (from old black holes to these stainless steel smudge-proof Whirlpool fridge, range, and dishwasher), and now are in the process of replacing kitchen countertops (from current not-my-taste brown granite countertops to possibly white or grey).

I got samples from Home Depot (free in-store, or about $9 a pop if ordering online) and broke out the big guns at home - scratching them with stainless steel utensils to test which countertop is most scratch-resistant, letting smashed frozen blueberries sit for 24 hours to test which countertop is most stain-resistant, and finally smacking the Dekton with a pot repeatedly to see if it would chip! HA!

Be sure to watch my video below all the way through for a closeup of each sample, and to see how quartz vs. solid surface vs. ultra compact countertops performed - I very unscientifically tested:

Ultra Compact - Dekton by Cosentino
Solid Surface from Corian & LG Hausys Hi-Macs
Quartz from Silestone, Caesarstone, and LG Hausys Viatera

I hope this helps you in your decision making if you're currently considering replacing your kitchen countertops and are wondering what the best material for kitchen countertops is!

If you have a comment about which style you think would look best in our kitchen, or a type you highly recommend or advise against, please comment below!!!

14 Comments

Jessica Hughes link

5/3/2019 03:35:47 am

So informative! Love all of the tests that you did to cover every type of potential damage!

Tamara | This Mom's Delight link

5/3/2019 11:04:27 am

My husband and I are looking at replacing our countertops this summer. I think he also needs to watch this video to make an informed decision.

Marie, Mamma's Cooking link

5/3/2019 11:28:23 am

Great information! We have quartz countertops which are very durable and definitely stain proof.

Amanda Martin link

5/3/2019 01:41:04 pm

I redid my kitchen a few years ago and went with a quartz that looks like marble....LOVE it, highly recommend.

Cindy Gordon

5/3/2019 01:42:25 pm

We just moved into a new house. I had no idea some of these options for countertops even existed. So, glad to know that before we started redoing anything!

Supermompicks link

5/3/2019 05:23:25 pm

We recently went with granite countertops and I love them! Kitchen renovations really make a difference in a home.

Erin Sluka

5/3/2019 06:09:03 pm

We have a new home and I would love to change my kitchen colors which would mean changing my counter colors

Kristy Bullard

5/3/2019 09:34:40 pm

We desperately need new countertops in our kitchen. Thanks for the great insight! It’s a big (and expensive) decision and we want to get something durable.

Justin More link

7/17/2019 04:14:58 am

Great work!! Thanks for sharing such an informative post with us. Choosing the right type of countertop material depends on your tastes, your level of use, and the overall style of your home. Your post and video will help many in choosing the right countertop material. Though I have installed a quartz countertop in my kitchen with the help of pros at Legacy Marble and Granite. Thanks!!

Sara Alexis link

1/29/2020 11:49:24 am

Thanks for a pretty awesome explanation and testing of different types of countertops. Choosing a countertop material depends on one's choice, lifestyle, and budget. After going through your post I have concluded that quartz is better than Corian. I am also going to install the same in my Ohio based home with the help of pros at The Countertop Shop. Thanks!!

Jeana Coleman

2/13/2020 11:43:22 pm

Hi. Ran across your video while looking for some DIY stuff. I just wanted to say that I've had white solid surface counters for four years. At first I wasn't that excited, because I've been all about getting some sort of stone. But what you don't realize until after you've lived with it ... is that stains just come right out with Tilex. We've had fruit, wine, strawberries, etc., and a squirt of tilex, wait a minute, and it's gone. Also, scratches can be buffed out with a drimel tool. And, I'm about to refinish my entire kitchen's countertop using a sander, some different grit sandpaper, and polishing cream. It'll look brand new. But what I find most important with my counters, is that I've accidentally knocked over glasses, and they haven't broken. I have a very expensive set of pottery that we eat off of, and you can bang them down on the counter, and because it's a solid surface, it has a gentle give, and doesn't break my dishes. With a 7 year old and a mechanic husband who is sweet but maybe not that gentle, this has been a lifesaver for all of my dishes. After four years, nothing broken -- unless it missed the counter and hit the tile floor. Also, that Dekton stuff will crack across the entire surface if it's hit with anything heavy, so that's a thought.

Half Price Kitchen link

5/12/2024 08:38:06 am

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White Wardrobes With Drawers link

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