New Counter Tops?

Gallivanters · 21-02-2007, 19:47

We're looking to replace our original formica counter tops with Corian or perhaps Granite or maybe Marble.

We live in the Caribbean and would like to find a place within the triangle of Puerto Rico, Panama and Venezeuela to get the job done well at an affordable price.

Ideas?

Thanks,

Kirk

GordMay · 22-02-2007, 04:00

Just to add to the surface selection confusion. How about countertops made from?
Stainless-Steel
Engineered Stone
Solid Epoxy (or Phenolic) Resin

A recent study by the Hospitality Institute of Technology and Management measured the bacteria resistance capacity of six common countertop materials. Each surface was contaminated with E-coli (nearly 2 billion of the microorganisms), washed and rinsed with soap and water and then sanitized with a vinegar-and-water solution. The results are show in the table below.
Surface Microorganisms ELIMINATED by Cleaning (more is better)
Stainless Steel 85,113,804
Granite 79,432,823
Plastic Laminate 498,884
Tile 293,765
Concrete 32,810
Wood 2,080

cat man do · 22-02-2007, 05:20

The weight, the weight

Some Laminex or Crea product's give a similar effect and weigh nothing

Laminex :: Home

Crea

Halifax Vogel Group

surely there is a US version of the same.

Dave

muskoka · 27-02-2007, 00:58

Go with Corian. It's light, hygenic and easily shaped to weird hull profiles. It can be mended - sinks can be built in, drain channels as well. Stuff dropped on it won't smash. Corners can be easily rounded for safety. It isn't cheap but on a boat you're not installing acres of it either.

Stainless Steel: Good stuff but expensive.
Granite: Too heavy + all boats flex & that may fracture the stone.
Marble: Unsuitable for kitchens, it's a sponge (plus the above concerns weight etc)
Laminates: OK but they're bonded to plywood substrates and in a marine environment they'll eventually delaminate & they'll also chip if something smashes into them (maybe not likely at home but on a boat...)

Cheers.

GordMay · 27-02-2007, 01:49

Take a look at “Durcon” molded epoxy resin & “DURCON-R” blended polypropylene resin mixture countertops;
DURCON Company Home Page

Harriet · 27-02-2007, 02:57

Another choice in the solid surface category is Swanstone. It is lighter than Corian and visually indistinguishable. They have Swanstone sinks at Home Depot so you can get an idea of how they look. We've had ours for about 3 years, and although they can scratch, the scratches can also be buffed out.

muskoka · 27-02-2007, 10:51

Swanstone is basically Corian - which is an acrylic blended with natural stone chips etc. There are a number of good generic versions out there. The advantage is that any kitchen contractor in the world can do the work. And if they don't get it right (or you damage it), it's easily fixed.

Epoxy based materials like Durcon etc. are really good but I wouldn't recommend them for a residential kitchen (or galley). You're limited to Black, Grey or White and you sure won't be able to walk into your local kitchen contractor and get it done.

My last project had 1200 kitchens - hence the rather detailed knowledge of countertops!! Bottom line - for a boat, go with a Corian type product.

Cheers.

cat man do · 27-02-2007, 14:44

Muskoka said,

Laminates: OK but they're bonded to plywood substrates and in a marine environment they'll eventually delaminate & they'll also chip if something smashes into them (maybe not likely at home but on a boat...)

For the average Joe a laminex style bench top is the go IMHO.

I have never had a problem with it delaminating if it is done correctly and with a mould-proof white silicon bead around the edge to prevent water ingress.

I also have never had a problem with it chipping or dinging and I have dropped rum bottles on it. unintentionaly of course.

It is a fraction of the cost of Corian and similar, it is also a fraction of the weight and is easily installed by anyone who is remotely handy, therefore one could refresh the appearance of the galley every few years with the latest colour's/pattern's if this get's you off.

I have done one where the surface was abraded and cleaned and the new laminate was glued over the top of the old.

Worked a treat.

Did I mention it is inexpensive and light.

Light being important in a Multihull.

Dave

Morgan Paul · 27-02-2007, 15:07

Quote:

therefore one could refresh the appearance of the galley every few years with the latest colour's/pattern's if this get's you off.

LOL, I can come up with better ways to get one off.

21-02-2007, 19:47	#1
Gallivanters Registered User Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: presently gallivanting back across the Pacific... Pago Pago at the moment Boat: Hylas 49 - GALLIVANTER Posts: 191	New Counter Tops? We're looking to replace our original formica counter tops with Corian or perhaps Granite or maybe Marble. We live in the Caribbean and would like to find a place within the triangle of Puerto Rico, Panama and Venezeuela to get the job done well at an affordable price. Ideas? Thanks, Kirk

22-02-2007, 04:00	#2
GordMay CF Adviser Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Thunder Bay, Ontario - 48-29N x 89-20W Boat: C.L.O.D. (Cruiser Living On Dirt) Posts: 13,556 Images: 233	Just to add to the surface selection confusion. How about countertops made from? Stainless-Steel Engineered Stone Solid Epoxy (or Phenolic) Resin A recent study by the Hospitality Institute of Technology and Management measured the bacteria resistance capacity of six common countertop materials. Each surface was contaminated with E-coli (nearly 2 billion of the microorganisms), washed and rinsed with soap and water and then sanitized with a vinegar-and-water solution. The results are show in the table below. Surface Microorganisms ELIMINATED by Cleaning (more is better) Stainless Steel 85,113,804 Granite 79,432,823 Plastic Laminate 498,884 Tile 293,765 Concrete 32,810 Wood 2,080 __________________ Gord May ~~_/)_~~ (Gord & Maggie - s/v"Southbound") "If you didn't have time/$ to do it right in the first place, when will you get the time/$ to fix it?" Custom Search CF ➥ http://www.google.com/cse/home?cx=01...%3A2lb6ozabif0

22-02-2007, 05:20	#3
cat man do Registered User Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Brisbane Australia [until the boats launched] Boat: 50ft powercat, light,long and low powered Posts: 2,405 Images: 36	The weight, the weight Some Laminex or Crea product's give a similar effect and weigh nothing Laminex :: Home Crea Halifax Vogel Group surely there is a US version of the same. Dave __________________ "Money can't buy you happiness but it can buy you a yacht large enough to pull up right alongside it"...............David Lee Roth http://www.thecoastalpassage.com/

27-02-2007, 01:49	#5
GordMay CF Adviser Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Thunder Bay, Ontario - 48-29N x 89-20W Boat: C.L.O.D. (Cruiser Living On Dirt) Posts: 13,556 Images: 233	Take a look at “Durcon” molded epoxy resin & “DURCON-R” blended polypropylene resin mixture countertops; DURCON Company Home Page __________________ Gord May ~~_/)_~~ (Gord & Maggie - s/v"Southbound") "If you didn't have time/$ to do it right in the first place, when will you get the time/$ to fix it?" Custom Search CF ➥ http://www.google.com/cse/home?cx=01...%3A2lb6ozabif0

27-02-2007, 14:44	#8
cat man do Registered User Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Brisbane Australia [until the boats launched] Boat: 50ft powercat, light,long and low powered Posts: 2,405 Images: 36	Muskoka said, Laminates: OK but they're bonded to plywood substrates and in a marine environment they'll eventually delaminate & they'll also chip if something smashes into them (maybe not likely at home but on a boat...) For the average Joe a laminex style bench top is the go IMHO. I have never had a problem with it delaminating if it is done correctly and with a mould-proof white silicon bead around the edge to prevent water ingress. I also have never had a problem with it chipping or dinging and I have dropped rum bottles on it. unintentionaly of course. It is a fraction of the cost of Corian and similar, it is also a fraction of the weight and is easily installed by anyone who is remotely handy, therefore one could refresh the appearance of the galley every few years with the latest colour's/pattern's if this get's you off. I have done one where the surface was abraded and cleaned and the new laminate was glued over the top of the old. Worked a treat. Did I mention it is inexpensive and light. Light being important in a Multihull. Dave __________________ "Money can't buy you happiness but it can buy you a yacht large enough to pull up right alongside it"...............David Lee Roth http://www.thecoastalpassage.com/

27-02-2007, 00:58	#4
muskoka Registered User Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Hong Kong now-soon to be leaving the dock for good Boat: FP Lavezzi 40 Posts: 260	Go with Corian. It's light, hygenic and easily shaped to weird hull profiles. It can be mended - sinks can be built in, drain channels as well. Stuff dropped on it won't smash. Corners can be easily rounded for safety. It isn't cheap but on a boat you're not installing acres of it either. Stainless Steel: Good stuff but expensive. Granite: Too heavy + all boats flex & that may fracture the stone. Marble: Unsuitable for kitchens, it's a sponge (plus the above concerns weight etc) Laminates: OK but they're bonded to plywood substrates and in a marine environment they'll eventually delaminate & they'll also chip if something smashes into them (maybe not likely at home but on a boat...) Cheers.

27-02-2007, 02:57	#6
Harriet Registered User Join Date: May 2003 Location: Caribbean Boat: 2004 Manta 42 - Perseverance Posts: 297	Another choice in the solid surface category is Swanstone. It is lighter than Corian and visually indistinguishable. They have Swanstone sinks at Home Depot so you can get an idea of how they look. We've had ours for about 3 years, and although they can scratch, the scratches can also be buffed out.

27-02-2007, 10:51	#7
muskoka Registered User Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Hong Kong now-soon to be leaving the dock for good Boat: FP Lavezzi 40 Posts: 260	Swanstone is basically Corian - which is an acrylic blended with natural stone chips etc. There are a number of good generic versions out there. The advantage is that any kitchen contractor in the world can do the work. And if they don't get it right (or you damage it), it's easily fixed. Epoxy based materials like Durcon etc. are really good but I wouldn't recommend them for a residential kitchen (or galley). You're limited to Black, Grey or White and you sure won't be able to walk into your local kitchen contractor and get it done. My last project had 1200 kitchens - hence the rather detailed knowledge of countertops!! Bottom line - for a boat, go with a Corian type product. Cheers.

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes	Rate This Thread
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode	Rate This Thread:

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Rev counter	Marauder	Engines and Propulsion Systems	9	19-01-2007 18:27
REV counter pickup	Alan Wheeler	Electrical: Batteries, Generators & Solar	25	12-11-2006 13:27