Corian counters

[nuru05]

Has anyone ever looked into having their counters replaced with Corian? The little double sinks and the fact that they are over mount (so water constantly collects around them) Drive me crazy on my boat. I was thinking about finding a counter maker to make some nice custom counters with Undermount sinks. I’m just curious if anyone has done this before, and who you went to to do it. Would a normal kitchen remodel fabricator be able to handle this? And if so did they just charge you normal kitchen rates or what did the project involve?

[sjrider]

I think that corian contertops are a great idea. I used to be a generel contractor and my first call would be to my local counter top shop. I dont believe that they would charge much more for it being on a boat. They will probably be excited about it, something a little bit different from the normal job.

[jordanbigel]

I have had a Corian countertop for 22 years - including the built-in, seamless, sink which is molded into the countertop. We love it because of how water runs off the counter and into the sink cleanly.

However, I will say, after 17 years (in 2017) we had to have it replaced, at considerable cost (appx. $2000). The sink cracked - it started after about year 11 and during the next 6 years the crack creeped until water was leaking through and it had to be replaced.

I assume this is because of stress on the sink which cannot flex or move within the counter because it is all molded into one thing. Just a theory, but it fits.

However, when it came time to replace it, we did not hesitate to go with Corian and a molded in sink again.

[Bowdrie]

Unless some peculiarity of layout/installation precludes it, I'm convinced that the best and most seagoing set-up is a stainless countertop with integral sink(s)/backsplash/sea rails.

[ItDepends]

Our boat has Corian countertops. Installed ~25 years ago and still looking like new after 25 years of three owners, all full time liveaboard, and two circumnavigations.

Build them right and install them right, and they are a lifetime kind of thing. Might not be so good if you have a boat that flexes and twists its way over waves, creaking and groaning as she goes.

[Tetepare]

We have Corian, 25+ YO. Has one crack which effects nothing.

Beware if you do it yourself Corian, under pressure, can crack. I had ONE more little pencil mark to make on the L counter I was building for home; put the slightest pressure on it, and the whole thing exploded. Based on my experience, yes, I'd have someone else do it, LOL.

If you do have a counter specialist do it, do NOT go to Lowes or Home Depot; go to a small specialty shop that will invest the time to measure and fit it perfectly.

[TiPegleg]

I have corian that the original owner replaced the previous teak/mahogany table and countertops with. The guy went all in though and EVERY horizontal surface is corian. Visually I absolutely hate it but I equally can’t deny how perfect the material is. 20 years later all surfaces look new, but totally dated (think ~2004 aesthetic)

[Dockhead]

My boat was originally built (in 2001) with Corian counters everywhere, galley and both heads compartments.


I love this stuff, and think it's the nicest counter material for a boat. After 21 years of pretty hard use, mine all still looks like new, and feels good to the touch. Corian moreover is softish and less likely to break glass, which is really important in a cruising boat used in rough sea conditions (I would never, ever want granite on a boat). Drawback, however, is weight.

[Singularity]

Originally Posted by Bowdrie

Unless some peculiarity of layout/installation precludes it, I'm convinced that the best and most seagoing set-up is a stainless countertop with integral sink(s)/backsplash/sea rails.

+1.
If a person can at least tolerate the industrial appearance of stainless, the modern availability of various pref-fab sink/splash/~sea rail lip counters make some refits a snap. Such a sink should provide full service for the life of the boat, if worse-looking over time.

Otherwise, +1 on Corian.

[Tetepare]

Originally Posted by TiPegleg

I have corian that the original owner replaced the previous teak/mahogany table and countertops with. The guy went all in though and EVERY horizontal surface is corian. Visually I absolutely hate it but I equally can’t deny how perfect the material is. 20 years later all surfaces look new, but totally dated (think ~2004 aesthetic)

Sorry, I did have to chuckle. A loss of the teak, but beats Formica

[nicholas_isaac]

I redid all of the countertops in my head with corian.

I am not at all technically proficient but I found corian quite easy to work with (just need a router, matched adhesives, and undermounted sinks, etc.), and I was able to create integrated fiddles etc. If it is a small area, and you want to try it yourself, you can order smaller offcuts of corian online (see "solidsurface.com") along with the aforementioned adhesives etc.

If it is a larger area - and with a full galley, sounds like it is - hire a professional willing to come down and do all the measurements and installation. One word of caution: corian is a lot heavier than formica or stainless topped ply. If it is a large area and a small / lighter boat, you'll want to take this into account.

Whichever path you take, lots of good articles. See for example https://www.morganscloud.com/2018/04...lley-makeover/

Sailing Uma also did a nice remodel, with integrated dish drain:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=az1P4fXE90E

Good luck!

[TiPegleg]

All corian everything. These are photos before I bought the boat and yes, yes that is a linoleum floor.

[Bowdrie]

Originally Posted by nicholas_isaac

Sailing Uma also did a nice remodel, with integrated dish drain:

That's not a galley, that's a townhouse kitchen.
They need to add some Ivy growing on the backsplash to "set the mood".

[TiPegleg]

I’ve always disliked the sailing uma “modern” look. That tile backer makes my 90’s faux granite corian look spiffy by comparison

[wingssail]

Originally Posted by Tetepare

Sorry, I did have to chuckle. A loss of the teak, but beats Formica

We have Formica. We built the galley unit ourselves in 1986 and put Formica (the red stuff in the photo) on it (under the sink lips). There is more than is shown; it goes around and behind the stove. I did this counter top and the fiddles in one day, my first and only counter top. This has held up well for 37 years except where I hit it with a drill one day.

The chart table, dining table (engine box), vanity area and the head all have Formica, (white) from the original build, and it is fine except a few dings. It is now 43 years old.

It would take approximately 3 sheets of Corian to do this, and at 130lbs per sheet, quite a bit of unneeded weight. And why bother if Formica or other surfaces will last as long as mine have and still look good.

Of course, if you are looking for that "beautiful condo kitchen" look instead of looking like a boat, then maybe Corian is what you want.