[George Blanz]

These two products have recently come to my attention as “substitutes” for Corian (with the acknowledgment that they have different properties than Corian.) Have any of you had experience with either of these products, and can compare them to Corian?

In a more general sense: are there any other resources (e.g. websites) that I can use to look for (hopefully unbiased) comparisons of these and other solid surfaces to each other and Corian?

Thanks,

George

[John Cristina]

I am not familiar with Kerrock, but am with Caesarstone. As far as I know they only make E-stone which is the same as Dupont’s Zodiaq, unless they make a solid surface like Corian. Still nothing like a top that looks like it has no seams no matter the size or shape.

John

[Andy Graves]

Geebee,

There are other place on the internet to get information, but this is the only website that offers unbiased information for free to all countertop fabricators. Plus we are all the best looking fabricators in the country. 🙂

Caesarstone is a quartz product. Some call it E-Stone (short for engineered stone). Quartz products are great. They have some pros and cons against solid surface.

Pros

• Scratch Resistant almost scratch proof
• 99% of the tops comes polished
• More natural look although not exact.
• Thicker material – some like the 3/4″ material

Cons

• More expensive
• Can’t seam in a bowl
• No cove Backsplash
• No nearly invisible seams
• Color range
• Always polished – some don’t want polish

If you have any specific questions please let us know. We will be happy to help.

[George Blanz]

Andy wrote

Geebee,

There are other place on the internet to get information, but this is the only website that offers unbiased information for free to all countertop fabricators. Plus we are all the best looking fabricators in the country. 🙂

Wow. How do I respond to a plug like THAT?? [EMO]tonguetied.gif[/EMO]

You’re all certainly the best-looking (note that I don’t post MY picture…)

Andy, thanks for a PERFECT answer. I was hoping my question wasn’t too basic for the Forum. I hate asking dumb questions or ones with obvious answers, so I try to do at least SOME research first. You gave a great overview, and gave me the essentials I needed.

The issue that was brought up by the person pushing Caesarstone was that it was (allegedly) more stain-resistant than Corian; in specific, red wine was mentioned. I didn’t know Corian was particularly susceptible to stains, but I see that if you leave some things on long enough (like red wine or strawberries), you can create a stain that will be at least difficult to remove. Apparently the e-stone surfaces are also susceptible to stains. Are they LESS susceptible than Corian? A lot less? I haven’t found any data yet myself.

Kerrock (I’ve learned) is manufactured in Slovenia by Kolpa (http://www.kolpa.si/eng/intro), and therefore has a good percentage of the European solid-surface market. Not that I have anything in particular against Slovenia, but it brings to mind the problems that arose with DuPont’s Simplicity (a “corian-clone” which was manufactured in China, and had horrendous problems.) There is an American company on the West Coast which I would guess is repping the product (http://www.kerrock.com). They describe it as “a composite of inorganic filler linked by the highest quality polymer acrylic, an acrylic composed of acryl and aluminum hydroxide.” Does that sound like Corian? In their FAQs, they compare Kerrock to Corian, saying that it is “the same type of material” but that Kerrock is “a little denser and therefore more resistant to scratches and damage.” It has a longer warranty (12 years) and they say it is cheaper.

That’s what I’ve learned. Hope this helps somebody else, and maybe some other fabricators will share their experience too.

Thanks,

George

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