When it comes to refurbishing a shower enclosure or choosing a design for a new one, you face the very popular problem of which materials to use. After all, you want it to be beautiful, neat, practical, and even better – inexpensive. Ceramic tiles look beautiful but are difficult to install and clean; plastic panels are easy to clean, but they have a cheap look. How to decide?
This article will help you understand this difficult issue, as we have studied the market and are ready to share with you useful recommendations from the field of shower enclosure design. According to our experts, Corian shower walls are the ideal solution for this task: a delightful design is combined with ease of use and a pleasant price.
What are Corian shower walls?
Before understanding the pros and cons of Corian shower walls, let’s define what we are dealing with.
The invention of Corian shower panels
The Corian brand first hit the market with this product in 1964, and the inventor’s right belongs to Donald Slocum, DuPont’s in-house inventor of the chemical company. By binding the particles of the material with acrylic resin, the scientist realized that such material is non-porous, easy to repair, and resistant to contamination.
This invention was a kind of breakthrough in the industry. The material was first used for furniture, then its use spread to the bathroom, where it can be used to create floors, countertops, showers, and sinks.
DuPont has been the sole exclusive manufacturer of this material for 30 years. Due to the patenting of production technology, over the years the very name of the brand “Corian” has become a household name for the product.
Solid surface materials nowadays
When the patent expired, competing companies also began to produce a similar material, calling the technology Slocum and positioning the product as a “solid surface” material. However, despite this, DuPont products are still in great demand.
Corian can imitate a variety of natural materials, including marble and granite, and quartz Corian shower walls. Today, translucent materials are available that can be illuminated to create a magical atmosphere.
So, time to start with the pros and cons of Corian shower walls.
Positive qualities of Corian walls step by step
Let’s talk about what qualities of Corian shower walls delighted us so much.
1. Waterproof Corian shower walls with solid surface
Corian shower walls are very durable and waterproof. It is a weighty argument for those who like to take a longer shower. Corian is also resistant to fungi as it is non-porous and stays dry.
2. Easy maintenance
Corian shower walls have a solid surface, without rubbing, so there is no need to regrout them. The absence of grout lines and grout makes your shower enclosure much more attractive and eliminates the frequent need to clean and paint the grouts due to their darkened unsightly appearance, as happens with ceramic tiles.
You need to reinforce Corian shower walls with regrouting every 10 years or as needed, although some users have never done this.
How do I know if I need to strengthen Corian shower walls with regrouting?
It depends on many factors such as weather conditions, quality of installation, and frequency of use. We advise you to focus on the appearance of your Corian shower walls.
3. Corian walls solid surface showers are easy to clean
Due to the lack of seams, these shower walls are easy to clean. To do this, you will need a solution of liquid soap and a gentle sponge. You should do the cleaning regularly, but aggressive detergents and sharp objects can damage the solid surface material of the walls.
4. Restore Corian shower walls
You will spend a minimum of time and resources on restoration work with this material. Most likely, most of the damage can be fixed with regrouting.
5. Corian – light material
Corian products are very light, which is a big plus when transporting them and installing Corian shower walls. The weight of material (assuming the panel is 6 mm) is only 2.2 pounds per square foot. For comparison, quartz with the same dimensions weighs almost 2 times more.
6. 10-year manufacturer’s warranty
This is one of the great Corian shower walls pros. Only a company that is 100% confident in its products can offer such a long warranty – that says a lot. It covers manufacturing defects or the quality of the material, shower walls can be replaced or repaired at the expense of the company.
The limitations of warranty
However, everywhere there are nuances. This warranty is subject to limitations, or rather, the conditions under which it may be claimed. You need to make sure that:
- Your walls are in place without error
- The walls of the shower stall are sufficiently sealed to prevent moisture from seeping through
- Documents have been filled out properly before and after the installation of the walls
- Expect up to 10 pounds of force per section
7. Corian shower walls pros: very easy to install
Therefore, do not worry too much about the possibility of errors during installation – it is difficult to miss and break too. Unlike heavier quartz, as well as fragile ceramic or porcelain tiles, this Corian is easy to install due to its low weight and no need for special tools. A nice bonus is the high mobility of the material during transportation.
This is really nice Corian shower walls pros, isn’t it?
8. You don’t have to use grout for grout lines
This characteristic follows from the previous one, this is a weighty argument if you need a minimum installation time. Just imagine scrubbing off the black moldy grout lines instead of lightly rubbing with a sponge. You will also receive aesthetic pleasure from taking a shower since it is unlikely that you will consider flaws in the integral coating.
9. Design for every taste and color
You will be confused by the number of possible designs, textures, and shades when choosing walls, but this makes it possible to choose walls that fit into any interior.
10. Shape selection
The shape of the edge of the Corian shower wall panels can be chosen according to your needs and desires for the bathroom and special shower enclosures. Having decided, you can choose between tongue & groove, straight, rounded edges.
11. Appearance
Agree, that it is difficult to have a less than magical appearance with such characteristics, given that the design of your shower walls was precisely matched to your taste, from the shape of the shower panels to the pictures.
12. Corian shower walls are perfect for travel
So, we already know that the characteristics of this material are very well suited for transportation. However, what if you live in a motorhome?
Corian shower walls will withstand all potholes on the road and will cope with them better than many other materials, such as ceramic tiles.
The absence of seams also contributes to maintaining the high strength of the structure and its durability. The design of the panels can be matched to your car, water and pollution will not bother you with Corian shower walls.
13. Accessibility at the highest level
With all these characteristics, the miracle material is not priced sky-high, but is quite an economical option, given the extended warranty and the advantages in use and installation. Consider all the nuances, and you will understand that buying Corian shower walls is cheaper than just installing a quartz shower.
However, there are no completely perfect materials and products, and despite all the advantages, we must pay attention to them because for you some aspects may seem key.
Corian shower walls cons
1. High price compared to fiberglass and plastic counterparts
Corian is a durable monolithic material, so installation can cost more than just acrylic, plastic, ceramic tile, or fiberglass.
However, remember that you pay for quality and durability, and having overpaid once for installation, you can enjoy several decades without any problems.
2. Corian shower walls are a bad option for allergy sufferers
If you or your cohabitants have asthma, allergies to chemical components, or a person has several allergies – this option is not safe for your health, unfortunately. The material can trigger people with hyperreactive immune systems, even in small amounts.
3. The material can be damaged by aggressive detergents
Despite the strength and durability, Corian still has this drawback, and you just need to approach the choice of surface care products carefully. Please note that the warranty doesn’t cover cases where the material has been damaged by chemicals. Maybe, it’s the worst Corian Shower Walls Cons.
Do not rub the solid surface of the shower walls with abrasive materials, as there is a risk of scratching the solid surface, never use strong alkalis or acids when cleaning the walls.
4. Less variable in design than mosaic or tile
There will still be people who can’t choose the right design among all the huge variety, or find the images boring. Here you can please, perhaps, only with mosaics or tiles, laying it out with a pattern according to the whim of your imagination.
If you need to tile, check out Bathroom Tile Size Advice.
5. Corian – slippery material
It is difficult to slip on the walls of the shower, but the shower floors in the Corian shower are a dangerous place, which turns taking a shower from a meditative activity into a real balance exercise.
However, you can eliminate this disadvantage by purchasing a non-slip rubber bath mat with suction cups.
If you want maximum comfort for your feet while showering, check out our Pebble shower floor pros and cons article.
6. Corian does not decompose naturally
Environmentalists were not very happy with this invention, despite the fact that most of the material used is of natural origin.
A harmful component to the environment is acrylic resin, the moment when this synthetic material is disposed of.
How do you clean Corian shower walls?
We will give some tips on how to take care of Corian walls if you have already decided to buy:
- Do not use abrasive materials, sharp objects, strong alkalis, acids, or household chemicals to clean the walls. Soapy water and a sponge are Corian’s best friends.
- Do not wash the walls for too long, and do not soak the coating for a long time.
- Some detergents, especially glass cleaners, have a negative effect on the Corian solid surface – it darkens. Never use such things for care.
Conclusion
As you can see, Corian is an excellent material for shower walls and has far more advantages than disadvantages. In addition, the material is very durable and relatively inexpensive.
We hope that you will be able to furnish your dream bathroom, and we are glad that our advice helped you in choosing the material for Corian.
Read also about: Advantages and disadvantages of quartz shower walls. A new look.
How much do Corian shower panels cost?
Expect to spend between $3,100 and $4,700 to have a professional contractor install Corian shower walls. Corian shower walls cost $42 to $65 per square foot, depending on the design.
What is the best material to use behind shower walls?
The best material to use behind shower walls is typically a moisture-resistant material such as ceramic tile, marble, or granite. These materials are durable and easy to clean, and they do not absorb moisture, which helps to prevent the growth of mold and mildew. Other options include acrylic, fiberglass, and solid surface materials.
Can you use limescale remover on Corian?
Using harsh chemicals such as limescale remover on Corian may damage the surface, so it is best to avoid using it. Instead, you can clean Corian surfaces with mild detergent and warm water, and use a soft cloth or sponge to wipe the surface clean. If you do need to remove limescale buildup, you can try using a mixture of equal parts white vinegar and water, or a solution of baking soda and water.
Can you put hot things on Corian?
When placing hot items on the Corian surface, it is recommended to use coasters or hot pads to avoid burning or discoloration. Also, it is important to keep in mind that prolonged exposure to high temperatures over a long period of time can damage the surface…