granite is more durable and has come down a lot in cost. Granite can crack. Synthetics can be easily polished out if nicked or scratched or stained

Corian has had its day, IMO. I don't care at all for its waxy, plasticky look and feel. It was a great alternative to Formica a few decades back, but we now have better choices. I would recommend engineered stone as the best choice based on factors of function and aesthetics. Consumer Reports also rates engineered stone (of any brand, they are all basically equivalent) as the top choice based on a variety of factors (abrasion, staining, chipping etc.)

If I were in your situation (asking what "most people choose") I'd be making the decision between granite and quartz (i.e. the engineered stone soberg is referring to) rather than Corian. These seem to be the two most popular options these days for people going more upscale than Formica (though the look of Formica has improved hugely over the years). Granite and quartz have different benefits, both aesthetic and practical, but both can be durable, beautiful choices (and of course there are many, many other countertop materials to choose from as well, including Corian).

We put in Corian in the first house we built back in '87. Back then they only had like 4 colors. Sold it in 2007 and over 20 years of heavy use it looked as good as the day we put it in with zero maintainance.

Built another house in 2008 and thought "If it ain't broke, don't fix it" so we put Corian in again. Looks great. Plus we were worried about two things: First, while granite was once a "luxury item" it's now everywhere, including starter homes and even double wides, OMG not double wides!!. And second, while we all know "stone is natural" it may be something that comes and goes. At one point we all thought shag carpeting and Avacodo Green were "end all" forever solutions too.

What ever you use, make sure YOU love it. (unless you are renovating to sell). Not too long ago I installed granite in my kitchen because "everyone" had granite. Honestly, I wasn't crazy about it then and I am still not. If I had it to do over I would choose quartz. The only reason is that I like the look of quartz rather than granite. I also have Corian in solid white in my master bathroom and it is beautiful and timeless looking. If you are planning to live in this house for the foreseeable future go with what you love because you will see and use it everyday.

Granite. Corian has a plastic look and scratches fairly easily. Now is the time to buy granite while costs are down.

Unless you're insistent on a granite or quartz look, don't dismiss Corian. I am a former professional chef and I cook a lot and use my kitchen hard. I have been abusive to my 33 year old white Corian countertops for the past 14 years (since owning the house) knowing that one day soon we will renovate our kitchen. I thought for years that I wanted granite or quartz but working in kitchens that have those, I don't now. Those surfaces are beautiful BUT they're cold, noisy, unforgivingly hard if you drop a plate or glass and you can never see if they're clean or dirty. My Corian countertop is simply amazing. Yes, it's a tiny bit scratched (mostly from the previous owners using it as a cutting board) but you have to have the lighting just right and lower your head to a certain angle to see the scratches. Yes it can stain from tea, coffee and red wine, but when it does, I wipe it with a little bleach and it looks fantastic again. I'm going to put status and vanity aside and reuse my 33 year old countertops in my new kitchen and save about $5000 CAD not to mention consume and waste a little less. Lastly, if you're a serious cook, it's nice to have a plain blank canvas to work on rather than a busy pattern. (I don't understand what qam999 means when he/she says it's "waxy and plasticky", maybe they've confused it with another product??)

I refinish lots of Corian; the solid colors are classic, never go out of style, and I've yet to see a top clashing with a backsplash, cabinets, or floor as seems to be so problematic here. When I refinish your solid surface, you're literally getting new countertops; your old ones leave in my vacuum. There is no more sanitary a top.

I see all this white glass and white quartz. Yes, they're more difficult to scratch, but when you do, you're in big trouble, believe me. Burn Corian and I can fix it. Burn quartz or granite (yes, it burns) and you're toast. Tear it out.

There are pluses and minuses for every top, but anyone who dismisses a 50-year proven performer and looker is cheating themselves and/or their clients.