I used Silastone throughout my kitchen. I loved it so much that I am planning to use the quartz (Silastone) again in ranch house. I had absolutely no problems with it.

Thanks I used a man made solid surface countertop on a dry bar in our basement but am slightly regretting not going all out for natural stone.

You might also consider using a butcher block as your counter top. Search on Houzz for examples they look great. See: http://chopbloccuttingboards.com/butcher-block-countertops/

Tell us more about what it will be used for and what you're thoughts are. What kinds of countertops have you used before?

I am using it on a dry bar in a basement. I had dark stained upper and lower cabinets installed and will do a marble subway tile backsplash (the rest of my house has white cabinets and dark countertop, so I wanted the basement cabinetry to be the inverse of that). I really liked the idea of dark stained cabinets and white-ish countertop. The counter is standard depth and about 7 feet wide.

Ideally I would have liked marble but did not go for it for the following reasons: 1. rest of house has laminate so really I wanted to save my budget to redo the kitchen and bathrooms and spend more upstairs (seemed silly to consider an expensive counter in the basement when the upstairs has laminate) 2. I have a husband and 2 little kids so the maintenance issues of marble concerned me.

I was not against granite, but don't like the speckly-ness of most of it (reminds me too much of the speckled laminate upstairs that I am trying to get rid of). There is also a mind-block that I have when I see too much of something...you know once your 70 year old mother in law has a granite countertop...that it's everywhere.

So, I chose a Corian-type product that gave me the look of marble without the cost or maintenance trouble of marble. I love the overall look of it...perhaps I should attach a photo.

However, I still can't shake the thought that maybe I cheaped out using an acrylic solidsurface.

Please someone defend my choice so that I can put it to rest!

I agree that marble is not worth the maintenance. I've had it in the past and it was difficult to maintain with just 2 adults. Granite has become the 'standard' so if you are looking for something out of the ordinary, I would avoid that. I currently have butcher block which is also hard to maintain as a kitchen countertop...but may work on a dry bar. I don't think you can go wrong with the corian-type or quartz countertop that you chose....the selection is immense and it is easy on maintenance. When looking to save money, laminates have come a long way and sometimes are hard to tell apart from other surfacing. I've seen laminates installed that looked like quartz!

Thanks earliglo and the earlier commentors! Some of the places that sell marble said they would only install in bathrooms - no kitchen or other applications, which speaks to the maintenance issue. I love the idea of butcher block and may consider it in my kitchen, along with absolute black honed granite which does not look like the typical-builder-upgrade granite. I may just lay this ghost and focus on saving for my kitchen-remodel rather than spend more for the basement so that I can check off the granite countertop box on my list of "haves".

I am a stone fabricator and I manufacture natural stone and engineered stones; ie: silestone, caesarstone, etc. First of all your choices are based on budget, wear and tear and overall look. Marble is beautiful but is not maintenance free. It should be sealed, but it does get a patina finish in time (which is what many people look forward to). In many cases it is less expensive than granite. Granite is so much more than speckles. There are many, many beautiful stones that have gorgeous flowing veins. It is a heavier look than marble but does not resemble laminate (except for some stones).
The engineered stones are generally more expensive than the other two. The reputable companies come with a warranty and they offer many solid colors which are not available in the natural materials. There are also some funky colors which are definitely not available in natural. The also offer a consistency in pattern which many customers prefer. So depending on your budget and your taste, will depend on which way you chose. There are no wrong answers here so long as you are well informed of your product and how it wears.

We have had Corian in our kitchen for 14 years and have never regretted it. No maintenance, wears beautifully, and now comes in a myriad of colors. As I have posted before, I am not a fan of granite and it's mostly because, as you said, it's been overused. Go with your instincts. You won't regret that.

As a luxury home builder in Houson, Texas, I have used all of the counter top materials named above. I have personally preferred graite over the years simply because of its durability and natural beauty. I have installed Corian when requested and my homeowners have been more that satisfied with its performance. Frankly I love the way it feel so soft and smooth to the touch.
Corian is not " cheaping out" in any way. It is a costly material.

With two small choldren you should be aware that it can scratch and stain, although such damage can be buffed out of the surface. Also, you should not place hot items directly on the surface- always use protection of some sort.

In the attached photo, the island countertop is Corian, the sink counter is stainless Steel.

I had a corian kitchen counter and Island top for 13 years and loved it - no problems. Right now I have a new kitchen with antiqued granite on the perimeter and marble on the island. As far as maintenance goes lets just say I have four kids and I can no longer buy orange juice, lemonade or any other citrus juice. I love the marble, but could not recommend it. Not only does it etch, but you'll find yourself watching how heavy everyone puts their drinks down. I have 2 marble bathrooms and 1 caesar stone. The ceasarstone countertop - used by 3 boys - looks brand new after 2 years of use. Cannot say that of the two marble ones. It also cleans up way easier because it is not as porous as marble. Gook stays on top and wipes off easier.

Thanks to you all for your unique insights. Here is a pic of the project as it was finished before we added the marvel fridge. The counter has a nice grey marble veining. I think a nice marble subway tile backsplash may satisfy my marble lust.

Granite holds up well...is now what everyone expects in new construction....however if one is looking for other than the ordinary...they need to explore other options such as concret surfacing and man-made quartz.

michblu, your bar looks lovely. The counter top is perfect for that modest space - it is simple, clean, and does not distract from the rich finish of the cabinetry. The Corian was an elegant choice.

I would like to make one suggestion about the splash that will make your bar look totally custom:
If you can afford it and if you have the "stomach" to tear up the wall a bit - have an electrician move the switch and receptacle either up under the upper cabinet ( if there is a deep enough light valance to hide it) or over to the left side wall ( if the light valance is not deep enough). The light valance is the molding that runs from sid to side along the bottom of the upper cabinet.

Moving the switch/ plug will eliminate the intrusive switchplate, and it will allow your backsplash to look absolutely perfect when the tile or marble is installed. The result will be a smooth consistent finish to equal and compliment that of the beautiful counter top.

The labor probably won't cost more that $120.00, and it will make a huge difference in the appearance of this lovely bar.
While you are at it, have an under cabinet light installed too. It will eliminate the shadow created by the upper cabinet.
When done, make a giant batch of pop-corn ( or whatever treats you and your kids enjoy) and celebrate your new dry bar with your family!

Thanks everyone, so who here would vote for keeping the counter as is and who here would vote to change to granite/marble?

Keep it! I think it looks great.

If you like it, keep it. If you are unhappy with it change it. this may sound wishy washy to some, but ultimately you are the one who will be seeing day after day. It looks great as is, and if it were me I would invest in a beautiful splash and in moving the electrical out of the way.

To everyone here who was kind if enough to contribute to this discussion, I have one more question. I am just about to do the backsplash carrera Bianca subway tiles. Should I just tile the back or bring it around the sides as well? Thanks!

I would move the electrical outlet and bring the backsplash around the sides.

When tiling above a Corian countertop leave a grout line sized gap between the two materials and run a bead of silicone caulk that either matches the Corian or the grout color. Corian expands and contracts and the grout will crack if it is not done this way.

Thanks, how far arounds the sides should I go and should it be straight or angled ?????.....

On the sides I would go to the point where your counter top edge profile starts. For the height continue at the same height as under the cabinets, 18" or so, and finish with a bullnose tile that dies into the wall cabinet, hope that makes sense.

I think so...so I should bring it out along the sides to the edge of the counter? Should the top be squared off or angled down?

Squared off