May in Jersey

Looking for suggestions. About 20 years ago DH and I installed new IKEA cabinets, for our countertops and back splashes we installed 2 inch tiles in various neutural colors. Back splashs are still great but counter tiles are chipped, grout discolored, etc. Planning to have someone install new counter tops but with all the new stuff out there now it's confusing.
Over the past year we sanded and re-polyed our cabinets, added new nickle knobs, installed new light fixtures, bought a new gas range and built in mirco wave, painted walls, made a new window treatment and new flooring is being installed on Monday. Fridge and dishwasher are a few years old, so counter tops are our last item in our kitcehn re do.

I do like Coran (sp), it's one solid countertop and sink but don't know how it will hold up. New laminates look pretty good, same for some of the man made stuff. Not interested in granite or marble. Would like to hear what you all have and what you have to say about your counter tops. Thanks, May in Jersey

Esqmommy

We had corian and loved it, but it can't take heat. so you need to be sure you have hot plates to put things on. We have black granite now (it's old and yucky). I'd probably go with Corian again if I had the choice, just because it always looked so clean and it held up really well. If you lived close by, I have a friend that installs it and does a fantastic job. He'd probably extend a discount!!

barnbum

I think we got ours at Lowes...it's awesome. It's realisitc looking leaves--I still love wiping it off. :D They got it ready at a shop, then it was delivered and hubby installed it.

Joan

We have corian and just love it! I had laminate before and found it scratched easily and I did dent it a few places. The corian seems tougher than the laminate and I have a multi-colored counter so "dirt" doesn't show.
We debated about getting granite but it has to be sealed periodically and I didn't want the maintenance.

I didn't want tile because I didn't want to clean the grout.

You can probably tell I would rather be quilting than cleaning house. :mrgreen:

2wheelwoman

Love our Corian! It looks great, wears well, and having the integrated, no seam, sink has been awesome. No crevices to catch those crumbs. We have an L shaped counter, and the seam is simply invisible. It was the best part of our kitchen remodel and the best choice we could have made.

Jim's Gem

We have one of those "simulated Granite" counter tops and absolutely love it. I forgot at the moment what the name of it is. It is almost as expensive as granite but does not need to be sealed (granite should be sealed every 6 mos) and I can slap hot pans on it and cut on it and not have to worry about damage. We chose this over granite because I like to be able to just put hot pots on it and not worry about burning or etching.

joeyoz

Watching HGTV the other day they were talking about Limestone counter tops. It is much more durable than granite and there is no constant upkeep and resealing like with granite. Something worth looking into.

barnbum

I asked hubby--our leaves are laminate... and it's been in for three years so far...looks like day one.

Jim's Gem

Our counter tops are called "Caesar Stone" They're great!!!

Yvonne

May I suggest that no matter what counter top you opt for get an undermount sink to go with it! We have corian counters and love them but that sink is the best. So easy to wipe the counters off with that smooth finish! We put the corian & sinks in our bathrooms as well. Clean up is a breeze!