Counter Tops

MommyLiberty5013 · December 2013

I posted this on D&R also, but here I am more interested in the cost perspective (so it is MM).

We are 2-3 years from replacing our kitchen counter tops. I saw a brochure for products at Costco (granite, Zodiaq, or Corian).

I am not a fan of granite. But, does any body have any experience with the cost variance of the other two?

Also, have you ever used the services to do countertops via CostCo (we would get a 3% cash back on the project, which is why I am considering them as an option)?

hoffse · December 2013

I don't have personal experience with this, but I would read some home improvement forums. VERY generally the order of cost (from highest to lowest) goes granite, zodiaq, then corian. But you could find a dealer or option that totally rearranges that order.

I will tell you that my parents have corian, and all of us have loved it. The integrated sinks are soooo nice - it means you never get crumbs or goop stuck in the groove/crevice between the sink and the countertop. And my parents have never treated theirs in 10 years and it still looks new. And of course, no seams. At all.

No it's not as "nice" as solid stone, but it's so easy to clean and so easy to maintain that it makes all sorts of sense to me. My parents' kitchen does look really nice with it too. It's MILES nicer than formica.

I can't speak to the Costco thing, but I would read some forums about it to find the best supplier from a cost perspective. I know that Costco isn't always the best deal for services (ie: travel), but if you get 3% back that could be a pretty significant savings.

cbee817 · December 2013

We got Silestone from Home Depot- it's shiny, easy to clean, and never have to seal it. They have a ton of colors and it's cheaper than granite, but more than Corian. One thing about Corian is that it scratches easily and you aren't supposed to dump boiling water into the integrated sink. It was originally our first choice, but opted for Silestone with an under-mount stainless sink. This is what it looked like the day it was installed (we later put in a subway tile backsplash):

Ducktale · December 2013

I have no advice but I'm interested in this answer too! Thanks for asking. @cbee817 that looks great!

hoffse · December 2013

Interesting, I'd never heard the "don't dump boiling water" thing - we do it all the time.... I wonder what that's supposed to do to it?

Sisugal · December 2013

Quartz or Corian would be great choices for a long term house. They can be slightly lower or even more than granite as all of them are available at different price ranges.
Some of the new dimentional laminates are also great less costly choices.

sillygoosegirl · December 2013

The Corian at the condo we rented before we purchased our house was pretty badly scratched up, even though the building was only a few years old. I would be inclined to avoid it. The house we purchased has granite, so I don't imagine we'll ever buy new counter tops, but I really like quartz and stainless steel. Depending on the shape/size of your kitchen, stainless steel can be DIYed reasonably cheaply (at least according to some internet sources), and it is durable and attractive.

WedinVolterra · December 2013

We did Silestone, which is a quartz countertop -- I absolutely adore it! It's zero maintenance and very durable

ambrno33 · December 2013

lurker, but we just did this over the summer. we initially got a quote through costco, only to have our neighbor show up as their estimator. they sub contract through local distributors and fabricators, and then add on 20 percent. our neighbor was the sales person for the fabricator, so we went directly through them and saved a ton. apparently lowes, home depot, ikea and costco all use the same third parties- our installers actually had different company hats in their trucks, depending on who they were working for each day.

anyway, as far as cost- it sometimes depends on size since granite comes per slab and corian and quartz can be charged per sq ft. for example, if you need just over a slabs worth of granite- you'll have to pay for 2. It will be best to find a couple companies that fabricate/install and get quotes for all 3.

sorry so long and sloppy! typing with one hand and a sleeping baby

orangehills · December 2013

Do quartz! If you watch all those house reno shows they almost always put in quartz. It holds up better and doesn't take as much care.

MommyLiberty5013 · December 2013

ambrno33 said:

lurker, but we just did this over the summer. we initially got a quote through costco, only to have our neighbor show up as their estimator. they sub contract through local distributors and fabricators, and then add on 20 percent. our neighbor was the sales person for the fabricator, so we went directly through them and saved a ton. apparently lowes, home depot, ikea and costco all use the same third parties- our installers actually had different company hats in their trucks, depending on who they were working for each day.
anyway, as far as cost- it sometimes depends on size since granite comes per slab and corian and quartz can be charged per sq ft. for example, if you need just over a slabs worth of granite- you'll have to pay for 2. It will be best to find a couple companies that fabricate/install and get quotes for all 3.
sorry so long and sloppy! typing with one hand and a sleeping baby

Interesting. So if I understand this correctly, we should avoid Costco, Lowes, or HD and go right to a source (if we can find one) that does the production, cutting and sales in one place?

MommyLiberty5013 · December 2013

All these responses rock! You have moved me away from Corian!

MommyLiberty5013 · December 2013

I looked into quartz. I am impressed with the color choices and its durability. I feel that for the added cost, and a plan to have these new counter tops for 2-3 decades, that quartz is the way to go!

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