solid surface contertop need advice
 

My wife asked me today about having the kitchen countertops replaced and seeing she puts up with my Porsche habit :D I said lets go look. We went to Home Depot and looked at solid surface as she doesn't want laminate again. The basically sell four different brands/styles of solid surface products and my wife decided on Samsung Staron acrylic solid surface. The one she likes is $51.00 per s.f. installed. Additional costs for tear out,bullnose edge etc. the total job for 57 s.f. is $3938.00. The product looks to be Samsungs version of Dupont Corian and has a 15 year warranty. Home Depot current promotion is they will throw in for free a integrated double sink of the same material. I can save myself $342.00 if I tear it out myself and I'll probably do that. So what do you guys know about this stuff ? I'm not interested in a debate between this,granite etc. as the wife likes what she picked. Just curious about this product. Thanks

If she's happy, you're happy, right? When Cindy decided a kitchren remodel was due, I grabbed my cue and hit the road until the job was done. Far as I'm concerned, it's the ONLY way to remodel...

I recently re did my countertops, I wound up using the 25in. X25in. granite slabs that were 12mm thick.
Since i had a few countertops that were less than 25 in wide it wasnt a bad idea, I just had to measure the tops and then go to a granite cutting shop and have them cut to my measurements.
Then they are glued to the wood surface with PL adhesive.
Your choice will not require as much maintenance as the stone tops all need to be coated with the stone coating to prevent stains from happening, especially spilling lemon or lime juice on the stone.
Your material shouldnt get stained, but be careful with hot things, that might damage it/

I have had Corian with integrated sink. Scratch resistance and general feel was great. However, the material stained with some foods, i.e. pumpkin soup. The sink which started out white was a mess after 10 years getting discolored. I would strongly recommend a dark color in anything that's not stone or stainless steel. Maybe you can get away from the integrated sink in the same material.

George

Based upon your choice, two big factors which come to mind are:

heat - Please be extra careful and do not directly place for example anything which came from the stove-top or oven on the counter-top. Make sure you have for example, cooling trays and the like (sorry but pot holders from Butt-mart are not acceptable)

installation - Please be extra careful and ensure that whomever is to perform the installation is experienced as well as qualified, not just in the general task, but also with the particular material you have decided upon.

what kind of finish is on that Corian, polish or semi? You should be able to sand it out with a really fine (400 grit) sandpaper or even wet sand with finer paper to get rid of the stain. It is sitting on the surface. Nothing penetrates Corian.

Yes they are similar (different chemical make up) to Corian but cheaper in price.

I look for a certify Corian installer and get another number from them. Almost snyone can get the Sam Sung stuff now. Ask to have them put the sub top on the cabinets. Let them be responsible incase crack show up later due to a bad install of the subtops.

Home Depot pay their subs so little money that they have to work fast and get it done or else they eat the job. In my oponion, this is where the install can get a little $hitty. Just be careful.

Good question. It came with the house. I doubt it is polished. I will give the sanding a shot on the sink! Thanks!

George

Make sure its level. So any spillage does not run over the edge before you can wipe it up.

You might have to work your way up to 1000 or even 1500 grit to get the same result. Sample the sanding on another piece if possible. You can get bits and pieces from a fabricator somewhere or a chip from the home centers and try sanding on there. Just notice you are in LA. Too bad I haven't install that stuff in a long time, if not i can get you a sample from my fabricator. They are in Glendora.

If you don't want to drop the money for granite, buy Silestone. You can get it virtually any color, texture you want, and it is heat resistent. I had Corian in San Diego, after having Granite in NY. The Corian had scratches and the counter was less than 5 years old. If I had lived in San Diego any longer, the kitchen would have been redone with Granite.

rfuerst, if there an independent general contractor that you've used to do jobs in/on your home in the past, I would recommend using him... that way you know it's someone who really cares about the outcome of the job and your satisfaction (and your word-of-mouth advertising and referrals) and you're not dealing with Home Depot subs who are just in it for the paycheck.

If you don't know any, ask some friends for some recommendations. There may not be much difference in price... or he may be able to do it for the same price or even less... don't forget, times are tough and people are not bidding jobs at higher numbers because they need/want the work, and he'll be able to get a contractor's discount on the materials from HD, too.

Second the recommendation for an independent fabricator. Find and SFA fabricator at stoneadvice.com. The Stone Fabricators Alliance is a collection of fabricators that excel with natural and engineered stone. They push excellence and quality over quick and cheap. I can dig up contacts in your area if you'd like. I am a member of SFA, but I don't get kickbacks or any other incentives. Just want to see that you get what you want. good luck, Jurgen

Today I went to Lowes to see what they had. Similiar to HD but different brands. The LG brand of solid surface looked good and was priced $5.00 less per s.f. and Lowes doesn't charge for 3/4 round edge which is another 250.00 savings. So right off the bat about 550.00 less. Great color selection and they also provide a " free " double sink in either SS or the same solid surface. I also contacted 2 contractors by email to get a different quote. Thanks guys.

Turbo if you could suggest a independant dealer or two that would be great. I'm in Orlando FL. 32829. Thanks

My neighbors just installed this material.

Look great. The seams are nearly invisible. ( as in, they have to show you where it is )

Yes, get what she likes. :)


KT

Our install has one level 138 inches long and the sink level about 135 inches long. Both sections will be one piece no seam. No doubt I'm getting whatever the Mrs. wants.:D

We got the LG Hi-Macs with integrated double sink. Great product. They came out and shot the kitchen with a laser to measure the wall imperfections. We've got 5 different counter sections and they all fit perfectly.

I would not go with Corian (or it's imiatators) or the Acrylic products. They do not last.

Either laminate, tile or some sort of stone (natural or synthetic).

If you price of a slab takes your breath away (it did to me when I did my kitchen), but you like hte look of granite, think about granite tiles. They come in two basic flavors: 12x12 squares and 18" wide x 26" long mini slabs.

We did our kitchen with 12x12 "Ubatuba" tiles. The material was on sale at Home Depot for 7$/sq and we hired a tile mason to set them. We installed about 100 sf for about 1/2 the cost of a granite slab.

My in-laws have Corian. They also have 10 kids. After 7 years of abuse the countertops in their kitchen still look good. We have tiles for our current countertop thanks to the builder. There is nothing worse than trying to clean a countertop that is full of seams.

Having installed solid surface tops, the install is EVERYTHING. Absolutely whatever you do, do not trust Home Depot or Lowes to install them. Their subs are the cheapest money can buy, you will not be pleased. You may save up front, but will pay long term.