Alternative stone

Corian is the original stone alternative for worktops.  It combines natural minerals with a clear acrylic resin so is solid throughout it's girth, durable, non-porous and hygienic.   A template is required to ensure  millimetre worktop fit.  The Corian is then hand crafted so unique and esoteric creations can be installed in any space.

So what are the characteristics and features of this unique material?  Well being non-porous spills of oils and fats will not be absorbed leaving the worktop odour free.  It's solid throughout so scratches can be polished out and it will not delaminate, thus making it durable withstanding spills, scrubbing and extended hard use.  

And because of these characteristics it's hygienic.  There are no pores or holes to trap dirt and bacteria making it easy to wipe clean and keep clean with an off the shelf kitchen cleaner.

But it's best property is it's versatility.  As all worktops are template designed and hand made, it can be crafted into an infinite variety of shapes and designs. Rich natural colours with the translucence of stone yet warm and inviting to the touch add the finishing finesse.

And Corian is not just used for worktops! Wall cladding, upstands and window reveals can all be crafted. 

 Corian, the most versatile stone alternative.

Corian Worktop Sale, Kent, Essex, London

Latest Corian worktop offer FREE 804 Corian cast sink and Caple Aspen pull out spray tap when you spend £2k or more on your Corian Worktop. Ends 31/10/11. Visit www.kitchensolutionskent.co.uk at Corian worktops for more details.













Below are some details of the properties and versatility of Corian.

RESISTANT
Since its introduction in 1967, DuPont™ Corian® has proved itself to be a remarkably durable material that is easy to live with. It cannot delaminate and stands up well to daily wear and tear.It resists most of the impacts, nicks and cuts that occur in heavy traffic areas. Corian® has been tested for its mechanical, thermal, electrical and other surface properties. Please consult online at www.corian.com on the Specification datasheet the results of these specific tests as well as details on the other physical properties of Corian®.

HYGIENIC
DuPont™ Corian® is a non-porous material. It is solid through its entire thickness and can be fabricated with inconspicuous seams, rendering its surface hygienic. DuPont™ Corian®
surfaces do not support the growth of bacteria or fungi. Corian® has been certified by an independent laboratory as a hygienic material according to the international norm DIN EN ISO 846.

REPAIRABLE
Surfaces in DuPont™ Corian® are renewable, meaning they can be fully restored with ordinary mild abrasive cleansers and a scouring pad. Cigarette burns, for example, can be easily
removed in this way. Damage caused by abuse can usually be repaired on site without having to completely replace the material.

NON -TOXIC
DuPont™ Corian® is an inert and nontoxic material. Under normal temperature conditions, it does not emit gases. When burned, it releases mainly Carbon Oxides and the smoke generated is
optically light and does not contain toxic halogenated gases. Because of these properties, Corian® is used in public areas and for sensitive applications suchas airport check-in counters, walls and work surfaces in hospitals and hotels.

SOLID
Colours and patterns run through the entire thickness of the material and cannot wear away. DuPont™ Corian® is a solid material and cannot delaminate.

INCONSPICUOUS JOINTS
The applications for DuPont™ Corian® are limited only by your own imagination. Pieces of Corian® can be glued together inconspicuously to create a seamless look, giving virtually unlimited design possibilities for surfaces. Long counters, for example, can be easily made in
pieces in a workshop and then joined together at the installation site. Edges can be built up to look thicker.

THERMOFORMABLE
DuPont™ Corian® can be thermoformed in wooden or metal moulds at controlled temperatures in order to create various 2D and 3D design objects. Embossing effects can also be created using the Bas Relief technique.

TRANSLUCENT
The translucency of DuPont™ Corian® is especially striking in the lighter colours as well as with thinner sheets. Many designers are now using the material to create lamps or lighting effects in
various applications. The colour family, called the Illumination Series, consists of 6 colours in 6 mm and 12 mm sheets featuring enhanced translucency to be used for creating special lighting effects.

WORKABLE LIKE WOOD
DuPont™ Corian® can be worked like hardwood and using similar tools. Most DuPont™ Corian® fabricators originally trained as carpenters.

COLOURFUL
The colours of Corian® allow for an almost unlimited working palette. You can choose a single colour; a neutral basis for design; or experiment with eyecatching harmonies. Corian® can also be used as inlays, accents, or as a versatile complement to other materials like metal, wood, stone, etc.

ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY
DuPont™ Corian® is manufactured in compliance with strict standards in order to limit waste and energy consumption at all stages of the production process. Both the material itself and the
adhesives and sealants used to install it are GREEN GUARD Indoor AirQuality
Certified® as producing low VOC emissions.

Corian worktops and much more !

In the UK we tend to think of Corian in terms of solid surface worktops for kitchens and bathrooms but it's much more versatile than that. The video below illustrates how many other uses it has. A number of designers were asked to design and produce a unique object to celebrate a special anniversary for DuPont. It's clear to see that there is much more to the product than just Corian worktops for kitchens.

Corian worktops, why every kitchen should have one.

The 1st matter to be mindful of is that Corian is the trade name, not a material or substance like Quartz. This may appear obvious, but a surprising amount of individuals do not understand that. Corian is a trade name that relates to a range of acrylate resin kitchen worktops, manufactured employing particular materials in a specific manner.

Corian worktops are deep down acrylic worktops, only they tend to be set away inside their own class for the plain reason that they outperform the criteria most acrylic worktops fulfil, in terms of durability, thickness, warranty, versatility, strength or range of colours.

There is not really a lot you can not undertake with Corian, and it's the triple combination of versatility, style and strength that has resulted in a lot new fitted kitchens, new build kitchens and re-designed kitchens being equipped with new, purpose-made Corian worktops.

The thought of having ones kitchen worktops purpose-made may appear a bit excessive, and although it's certainly accurate that Corian surfaces will not be found in A budget basement for inexpensive kitchen worktops, the cost is just 1 way of considering the value of a countertop constructed from Corian.

If you are going to have a Corian kitchen worktop, you may as well have it constructed to ones particular requirements, as its durability means there's every possibility it will be around in the kitchen longer than you are.

Because Corian worktops are fabricated from an acrylic resin resin material that possesses a remarkably high tensile and impact strength and durability they could be formulated in a number of disparate processes. Corian may be cut, shaped, glued and even vacuum moulded, meaning that if you are able to conceive of it, a Corian countertop can be produced to your specification.

A lot individuals have utilised this advantage to aquire Corian worktops that comprise additional components traditionally added separately from the countertop, like splashbacks and drainage ducts for the kitchen sink. Corian worktops can easily be manufactured with curves or different third-dimensional structures, so having a curved back plate or splashback is easily accomplished, and not merely appears beautiful but importantly increases the cleanliness and hygiene of ones kitchen.

A different benefit of Corian is that there don't seem to be any seams or joints. Frequently it's the seams or joints within kitchen surfaces that are most inclined to harbouring bugs and bacterium that may present a health hazard.

But as different parts of a Corian worktop are connected together the material or bonding agent applied is the exact equivalent polymer resin employed in the fabrication of the worktop itself. This means that the consequence is a seamless joint, improving both the visible appearance of the worktop as well as getting rid of a possible health risk.

Corian worktops come with a 10 yr guarantee, which constitutes peace of mind in itself, but it's likewise comforting to think about the method in which a Corian worktop may be restored to keep it appearing as good as new. The material is exceptionally strong, and it would need a significant effort to harm the finish of a worktop formed from Corian.

All the same, kitchens are all but warzones, with weighty pans barging in to the surface, sharp knives slicing across the top and all fashion of tools or utensils exposing the work surface to a lot risks and perils.

In almost all cases when a worktop acquires a scratch, gouge or chip it's a matter of merely living with it, or replacing a big segment of countertop, that might not be a perfect match against existent surface sections.

Nevertheless, attributable the nature of the fabric employed, Corian surfaces can be mended just by employing the same polymer resin from which it's comprised, and which is used in the joints and seams, filling in the chip, abrasion or dent, polishing the surface and leaving the worktop as good as new, without any obvious join or discolouration.

For a kitchen that excels visually, and holds its own against the forces of a ferocious cook, Corian worktops give versatility, durability and style; if you are able to conceive of it, Corian can normally make your dream kitchen come true.

Kitchen Worktop Options

Kitchen worktops have come a long way since the days when laminate was king. By combining form with function, they determine ambiance and practicality. Whether it's the classic elegance of granite or wood, a colorful solid surface or laminate, or the sleek feel of stainless steel, worktop options are many and varied.

Worktops are priced by linear or square metre, with template, delivery, and installation quoted in the total price of the worktop. Prices vary depending on texture, color, pattern, intricacy of edging, number of holes, sink type, and seams. Seams affect look and durability, and can lead to water seepage that warps wood and causes laminate to pull away from its substrate. A qualified, certified kitchen designer can help reduce joins and advise on the best solution for you. At Kitchen Solutions Kent you can visit our fabricators and granite suppliers to personally select the material to be used in your worktops and see how they will be manufactured.

Heavy countertops, like cement, natural, and engineered stones, are held in place with gravity and fixative, while other counters are screwed and glued. Since worktop pricing ranges from the economical to the astronomical, it's important to consider longevity, durability, maintenance, and price.

Concrete
Concrete is one of the more dynamic products to grace the kitchen. It boasts texture and detailing unlike any solid product. It is porous in nature, absorbs stains easily, and must be sealed regularly. At an inch-and-a-half thick, concrete weighs the same as a granite countertop. But, since concrete must be poured and cured prior to installation, it's important to get it right. The worktop fabricator should first template then create the countertop from a pre-cast mold in a controlled factory setting. On-site casting might result in a one-piece installation, but will require major demolition should the countertop need to be removed.

Engineered Stone
Engineered stone is a quartz-composite product mixed with colored pebbles, polymers, and epoxy. It has an even pattern and more color options than natural stone. So, if a kitchen calls for more worktop space, it's easy to order the same pattern and shade. Quartz worktops are an extremely durable product that takes the heat, resists stains and costs about the same as granite.

Stainless Steel
Stainless steel is chic, contemporary, and noted for its association with professional kitchens. It is stain resistant, and the only surface that can be safely bleached. Newer applications include brushed or textured finishes that help camouflage scratches. Welded stainless-steel sinks create an integrated look, while splashbacks with corrugated patterns create dimension. Stainless steel, when attached to a wood substrate, becomes more sound resistant. Regular rolled edges, bullnose, or Marine edges (no drip), are standard. Stainless steel worktops cost between £250 to £400 per linear metre dependent on specification

Stone
Natural stone needs to be seamed, is typically sealed to protect it from damage and stains.. Granite is quarried worldwide, with colors and patterns that reveal the region and the geological conditions that created it. With granite worktops, each slab is unique, with random and inconsistent patterns. Customers may visit our fabricator to select their own slabs. Granite is graded for a host of variables including density, strength, water absorption, and acid resistance. Granite tiles are less costly but have more seams, while a 3/4-inch granite sheet can also be purchased and applied to a wood substrate for the same look at less cost and weight. Typical cost is around £200 per linear metre.


Wood
Wood has a warm and luminous appeal for worktops and kitchens. Oak, maple, cherry, red beech, walnut, teak, and mahogany are all hardwoods favored for worktop applications. Some wooden countertops are built with finger-jointed construction and installed with miter-bolted seams for added durability. Wood is one of the more sanitary products for the kitchen, with inherent properties in to protect it from bacteria build-up. Maintenance is required, however, starting with regular mineral oil treatments, particularly near the sink, and extra caution with extremely hot cookware. Prices for solid wood worktops range between £1oo to £200 per linear metre installed.


Solid Surfacing
Solid surface worktops, commonly known as corian worktops offer seamless acrylic faces with seams that are only visible from the underside. With solid surfacing, sink and counter materials can be integrated to create a fluid, graceful line. Solid surfaces come in a rainbow of colors, patterns, and styles, including stone and glass look-alikes. They are stain and heat resistant, with more edging and border options than natural stone. Scratches are easily softened with a non-abrasive scrubbing pad.

Laminate
Laminate worktops are economical and come in a host of colors and patterns. Laminate is not usually scratch or heat resistant, but at Kitchen Solutions Kent our laminate worktops have twice the number of layers than normal and are much more heat and scratch resistant than most. Laminate is highly stain resistant and provides a good balance between cost and practicality.

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