For many of us, our homes are our biggest and most important investment.  It’s not only the place we rest our heads and hold our most precious moments, but it’s also a financial decision that we hope will pay dividends in the future.  Home values are affected by all sorts of different things, from buyer demand to the quality of nearby schools.  And unfortunately, many of these factors are far beyond our control as homeowners.  There are some things we can do, however, to boost our home’s value, and the most significant of these is a kitchen remodel.

Let’s be honest, though.  Major kitchen remodels are expensive.  Most people don’t have the extra cash necessary to complete it, and the thought of taking out a home improvement loan can be a terrifying prospect.  However, for houses located in a seller’s market where a fast sale is expected, upgrading the kitchen can earn a fantastic return on investment.  In fact, The National Association of Realtors stated that the best interior project to increase a home’s value is a well-designed kitchen remodel.

It’s important to examine all the details of your area’s real estate market, as well as the projected return on your investment.  Generally speaking, though, you can expect that an updated kitchen will give a nice boost to the value of your home.  Realtor.com tells us that 80% of homebuyers rate the kitchen as one of the three most important areas they look at in a new home.  If they aren’t impressed by the kitchen, then chances are, they’ll feel underwhelmed by the entire house.  Just remember, most buyers are willing to shell out a few extra bucks for new appliances and high-end finishes.  So if the market is in your favor, why not look into giving your kitchen a makeover?

What if you’re not planning to sell your home?  Can you still gain value from a kitchen remodel?  You bet your Bundt cake, you can!  We spend so much of our day-to-day lives in our kitchens.  In fact, for many families, it’s the most used home in the house.  So having a kitchen that’s functional and suits your needs – and that you love to be in – can raise your quality of life by leaps and bounds.

A 2017 study shows that after completing a kitchen remodel, 50% of households have more family time, 41% prepare more home-cooked meals, and 33% have overall healthier lifestyles.  Raising your quality of life in these kinds of ways can truly add years to your life.  That’s more time you’ll have to cherish and enjoy your loved ones.  And much of that time will probably be spent in the kitchen!

Are you considering Corian for your new counter surface? Or are you just trying to learn a little more about the material? Either way, you’ve come to the right place. This article will provide you with all the information you need.

It’s a New Material
When you consider the millions of years it takes for natural stones such as granite or marble to form, Corian is a brand-spanking-new material. It was invented by Dupont scientist Donald Slocum in 1967.

It’s a Blended Material
To the untrained eye, Corian can appear to look like natural stone. But in reality, it is a blend of acrylic polymers and aggregate material.  Plus, stone or glass can be added to the mixture as well.

Corian Can Take Any Shape
Before Corian takes any specific shape, it is first blended together to acquire the desired color, consistency, and visual texture. The blend is then poured into a mold and gradually hardens to the custom-designed shape.

It Has No Seams
The molding process allows for a finished product that is entirely seamless. The only stipulation is a need for a mold large enough to suit your needs.

Corian is Available in 180 Colors
Because Corian is a custom-blended material, it can be created in 180 different colors and carefully crafted to meet your individual needs. Don’t forget that visual textures are also available, and the mold can help create tactile textures as well. 

Consistent Color Throughout
Natural stone cannot offer uniformity. Every slice will look different from the next. Corian, on the other hand, provides consistent coloring throughout the entire piece. If you were to crack open the surface, you would find a uniform color all the way through.

Seamlessly Join Sink and Countertop
Once again, the molding process provides a unique benefit not found with natural stone. A sink can be seamlessly included as a connected part of the countertop, and have the same color, texture, and strength that you can count on. Plus, there’s no concern for harmful bacteria collecting in the nooks and crannies.

Coordinated Backsplash
Just like with the sink, your backsplash can also be included as a part of your countertop and sink. Or, if you prefer, it can be a separate piece that has a complementary color and texture.  

Corian is Moisture-resistant
This is an excellent benefit for countertops: Corian is non-porous, which means that liquids cannot penetrate and stain the surface. Granite and marble, though, are very porous and are easily discolored.

It’s Impact-resistant Too
No need to worry about nicking your Corian countertop. The material is impact-resistant and can easily withstand a heavy pan that is accidentally dropped. It’s not invincible, but compared to natural stone, there is very little concern for causing damage to your surface.

Long life span
With proper maintenance and care, Corian is expected to last for your entire life. That’s right, as long as you desire a beautiful and reliable countertop, you’ll have one. In fact, some manufacturers even support this dependability by offering a lifetime warranty.