ACRYLICS CORIAN GRANITE MARBLE OTHER VANITY TOP MATERIALS home inspectors

ACRYLICS (CORIAN®) / GRANITE / MARBLE / OTHER VANITY TOP MATERIALS: There are materials that look somewhat like "cultured marble" that are far more expensive and durable. One of these is Dupont Corian ® . These materials can be repaired by the homeowner if burned or scratched. The color in these materials and their usable surface extends completely through the material as opposed to a fraction of an inch of usable surface on plastic resin type materials. This allows the user to "sand" or scour the burn or scratch off the surface. 



Marble and granite countertops are less common than all others with the exception of copper countertops. The treatment of marble or granite is similar to ceramic tile except that marble can be stained. Use care with scratching or nicking the surface of this type countertop. The polished finish is not easily repaired. Refer to 73f for additional information. Other types of vanity tops may include wood, copper, enameled steel, or vinyl. Wood counter tops are usually painted. The condition of the paint is important since water penetrating into the wood will cause swelling and cracking of the wood. Keep paint or sealers liberally applied to wood vanity tops. Copper vanity tops usually require no special treatment. Copper cleaners are recommended for polishing and cleaning. Enameled steel is easily chipped and scratched. Keep chipped spots touched up to avoid rusting of the metal. Touch up paints are available at all Home Improvement Stores or Building Supply Outlets. Vinyl tops are like vinyl flooring, and in fact, usually are vinyl flooring materials. Vinyl is almost always glued to a wood counter top. For this reason, care should be taken that cuts or deep scratches not go unattended. Water penetration into the wood substrate will swell and crack the wood causing accelerated deterioration of the counter top. Repair cuts or scratches with vinyl repair caulk. This material is usually available at most Carpet Stores that install vinyl flooring. Use silicone caulk to repair cuts or scratches if vinyl repair caulk is not available.

The above information was provided by TWI Systems Copyright 1995-2005 1-800-553-5660