Natural Products: Corian

Corian is the original solid surface material; a 12mm thick premium through-coloured mineral composite backed by 25mm moisture resistant MDF subframe.

With over 50 years of development, Corian as a material boasts one of the most well established portfolios. Their range of styles is constantly updated, and covers a wide range of styles from clean block colours to complex swirling patterns.

Below, we explore some of the key points to consider when purchasing a veined Corian worktop.

Properties of Veined Corian Worktops

Veining

Veining characteristics vary for each material in the range, but can include directional flow, swirls, highlights, lowlights and can create mottled or marbled appearances. Smaller samples will often not be fully representative of full-sheet veining, and veins can differ between worktops within the same batch.

Drainer Grooves

Drainer grooves and recessed drainers will each show a continuation of the same veined pattern. As the colouration is three-dimensional, drainer groove configurations will show a distortion in any straight-line veins on the top surface.

Repairs

Veined surfaces cannot be repaired as effectively as homogeneous worktops. Typically, and particularly for worktops which have cracked due to thermal shock, sections of matching material will be inserted and affixed. The random finish of veined surfaces means these joins would be visible.

Colour

Colours of Corian are quality controlled between batches. Because the range is capable of large-scale sweeping veining patterns, smaller samples may not be fully representative of the colours found in an installed worktop. Colours viewed in print or by screen may also not be fully representative of actual samples.

Joints & Shaping

Corian as a material is capable of seamless joints. Veined patterns will however have a distinct discontinuation at the point where two sections meet. Corners are joined using an offset butt joint, to strengthen the corner against stress. Corian can also be Thermoformed, which may cause mild warping of the designs.

Sheet Size Limitations

Sheets of Corian have a maximum width of 760mm, and a maximum length of 3658mm, some of which may be reserved for creating offset-corner joints.

S-Joints

In some instances, Corian may be joined along the width, for example if a design exceeds the slab dimensions or an extended corner is installed. In these instances, an S-Joint will be used to try to avoid more obvious straight-line joints.

Colour matched bowls

Corian bowls are available in limited block colours, while Trevino & Primo Classic bowls can be manufactured to match any Corian style. Where these join, there will be a noticeable breakage in any veining patterns.

pictured: Corian Witch Hazel, Top left: Mitred corner joint, Bottom: S-joint

Colour Galleries

Arrowroot

Clam Shell

Juniper

Lava Rock

Sagebrush

Sonora

Onyx Range

Grey Onyx
White Onyx
Grey Onyx
Jade Onyx
Golden Onyx
Immagini 224

Onyx Range

The Onyx range of Corian features swirls and waves of colour, and an opalescent background which can often allow light to permeate through its membrane in areas which are not backed by a moisture resistant core.

Because of the strong veining, mitred joints will show an obvious disconnect in the designs. When pieces are joined width or lengthwise, the Corian standard is to use an S-Joint, which works exceptionally well to disguise the joint, though this may still be apparent on closer inspection.

Because of it’s semi-translucent nature, if sections are joined over an area which is illuminated, such as by a lighting channel, the glues used to join the sections will be visible as an opaque line.

Prima Range

Dune Prima
Limestone Prima
Limestone Prima S Joint
Nimbus Prima S Joint
Evening Prima S Join
Dune Prima Slab
Immagini 224
Smokedrift Prima KItchen

Prima Range

The Prima range offers swirls and broad patterns in complimentary colours, which are bolder yet less frequent when compared with the Onyx range.