We're planning a kitchen reno (to happen next month!). Yes, I know we're planning this a little late and we're ok with that.

I'm looking at countertop options -- I have a preference for Corain (man-made solid surface), but I was wondering if anyone's had any experience with this material and could comment.

I'm also wondering how it compares to something like granite in price. I am prepared to have the countertops installed by a professional.

Alas I don't like laminate or tile, otherwise I'd go with that cheaper option.

We just did our kitchen a couple years ago and we went with Acryflek countertop. We like it quite a lot. easy to keep clean. it does scratch a bit though - although it says on the website that you can buff out minor scratches with Vim (I haven't tried it yet - for the longest time the website was under construction so wasn't sure how to address the issue).

It is a Solid surface similar to corian and similar price to the cheapest corion, which i can't exactly remember what the price was right now. (different colours of corian are different prices - the lowest price level is only for the plan white or cream and you pay more for almost all other colours/patterns).

Acryflek

it's a canadian company.

If you look under colours we have 'Crestwood' - mostly black and looks quite nice with our honey maple cupboards. it has a bit of a clay/brick coloured fleck in it and we painted the walls that colour. looks sharp.

Thanks alligator.

I just looked at their website, but they don't seem to have any dealers located close enough for us to reasonably consider visiting (we don't have a car).

I'll keep it in mind though! That stuff looks great.

I'd go with quartz. All the benefits of Granite without any of the disadvantages, although it's quite expensive.

As far as I'm concerned, Corian looks terrible and is essentially just a really thick piece of plastic.

Originally posted by Shazam I'd go with quartz. All the benefits of Granite without any of the disadvantages, although it's quite expensive. As far as I'm concerned, Corian looks terrible and is essentially just a really thick piece of plastic.

I've just been looking at that too. Sounds pretty good but gee... $$$$

At this rate, looks like we'll be countertop-less for 2 months!

As an avid baker I happen to love marble countertops. Because we plan a complete gut of out kitchen in 5-8 years I wanted a quick, fairly inexpensive kitchen makeover. Hubby installed a marble tile countertop for me. The whole project cost us less than putting in a new laminate coutertop, about $180 for just over 10 linear feet.

Originally posted by CSK'sMom As an avid baker I happen to love marble countertops. Because we plan a complete gut of out kitchen in 5-8 years I wanted a quick, fairly inexpensive kitchen makeover. Hubby installed a marble tile countertop for me. The whole project cost us less than putting in a new laminate coutertop, about $180 for just over 10 linear feet.

We did the same with slate, and used a matching grout colour. It looks good and cost under $500.

The house we moved into is a fixer upper so it is hard to justify $5000 to $10000 on countertops right now, and we can always install them in the future.

Alas I have enough trouble with the grout in my bathroom... I don't think I could handle a tiled kitchen counter!

Raven, over the years I've had both ceramic tile countertops as well as now a marble tile countertop. I've never had any issues with the grout. If it's done properly with the additive added to the grout you won't have problems. With my marble tile countertop the grout lines are only about 1/16th of an inch. One of the major things I love about tile countertops is that they are heat resistent. Things come right out of the oven and on the countertop.

Originally posted by CSK'sMom Raven, over the years I've had both ceramic tile countertops as well as now a marble tile countertop. I've never had any issues with the grout. If it's done properly with the additive added to the grout you won't have problems. With my marble tile countertop the grout lines are only about 1/16th of an inch. One of the major things I love about tile countertops is that they are heat resistent. Things come right out of the oven and on the countertop.

I really enjoy doing ceramic tiles and have been thinking about this. What did you do for the outside edges of the countertop?

My original ceramic tile countertop we used the ceramic edging tile Dewcat. The edging tile is made just for countertops with a slight "hump" just like a laminate countertop. It comes in both corners and straight pieces. For my marble countertop hubby finished it differently, he 45'ed the edges of the front marble trim tile and countertop tile for a very clean, modern edge. We also did a granite tile countertop for the in-laws. For that countertop he choose to lap the countertop tiles over the front granite trim tile, again for a clean modern look. You can also use a metal trim around the edges or a wood trim Dewcat, it all depends on the look you're after.

We used a wood trim and painted it the same colour as the tile.
You can see our renovation pictures here.

The tiles are fairly clear in the images. I really like the tile, and I am very happy we did the tile instead of a laminate.

It is much tougher, you can set a hot pot on it and not worry about it melting.

Thanks a lot CSK'sMom & gilsan (loved the photos!) I've been discussing this with my husband and think we might do this for a winter project. I like the original look of a lot of the tiles that are available now.

Oh no! Now you guys are helping me become increasingly undecided!

Thanks for all the comments -- it's much appreciated.