Now, I have always loved Corian/solid surfaces, particularly in white. I have to say the butcher block looks stunning and warm. I think the reason why the white corian does not look as good is because the white paint is throwing it off. Store your corian carefully and if you decide to paint the cabinets a fun color, you have the white countertop ready to go.
I think the countertop depends on what else you plan to do with with the rest of your cabinets and furnishings in general. So I would decide at the end not now. Both are nice the butcher block has more of a homely feeling; whereas the Cor one more clinical.
The butcher block of course for this usage. I think the Corian needs to be in a contrasting color to the cabinetry and also needs a deeper edge finish to look good - e.g. double thick at least. I don't think I've ever seen a kitchen install with countertop edges of single thickness Corian... Excellent job on the cabinet overall - very well done (and explained - especially when you are doing some things for the first time!). Van is coming along great.
Hola felicitaciones, no entiendo nada de lo que dices jajaj pero me encanta tu entusiasmo y el trabajo que haces es muy bueno y está quedando hermoso... Me encantó como quedo la unidad de la cocina, pero y la otra? esa era preciosa, quizas la puedas usar en otro proyecto y combinar con madera de otro color..
Buy it! I bought a Front door for a house when I lived in an apartment. Ended up buying a house and it's one of my favorite features. Now I'm buying things for a van I don't own yet😅
Butcher block. Pronunciation is Cory-an. My dad was a cabinet maker and it was all the rage when it came out because you could just sand any cuts or abrasions. Cheers from Canader eh!
This video is your best to date. The butcher block definitely provides a warm tone. I believe the white countertop combined with the natural finish on the baltic birch cabinet would also be a winner. Keep up the great work!
Great job. Butcher block -- all day long. The corian might have looked better if you had double upped on the edges (bonded a separate piece around the bottom of the perimeter) to make the entire counter appear to be 1.5" thick and then left the cabinet skin in the natural maple. Thanks again for illustrating your work and providing the details.
I want Butcher Block in my Van! The only thing holding me back is the weight (especially maple.) Great idea to take out some material on the underside. Now that you’ve compensated for weight, in my opinion, go for the Butcher Block!
You can use a thinner piece of butcher block or wood and then double it up at the edges only so it looks like the wood is double the thickness that way you get the look you want without quite as much weight.
Butcher block will start cracking at the joints PDQ I have one in my kitchen, and if I fail to regularly oil it I have to replace it. For sanity sake go with corean
You have the patience and perfectionism to complete a perfect Corian counter top only to change to plan B butcher block. That is passion. Can you build a van for me? you are really good.
I used the Watco for my Butcher Block, Watco’s claim is it’s creates a Food grade surface. I think it looks amazing. Been using it for the past 2 years and it’s holding up fantastic.
Butcher block all the way! I do like the white counter top, but the butcher block gives it more of a homey feeling and it’s more aesthetic. Looks good jigsaw god
I like how you wanted quality latches instead of plastic latches so you purchased 5 different metal latch options to compare and then you picked plastic latches...
Nice job scribing! The exposed bolt isn't my taste -- but hey it's *yourr* van :-D So you do you! The Corian came out nice, but the butcher block is nicer because of the thickness. Nice job attaching the latch catch to the bottom of the upper drawer. That little bracket is a subtle thing that must have taken some time. Thanks for doing the measurements at the end. That's a nice touch to the video.
Great kitchen, butcher block has the better contrast and looks like a proper kitchen counter because of the thickness. Great attention to detail on everything you do. Given me some great ideas - thankyou man.
You are doing such an excellent job!!! Looks amazing and quality! That’s the same fridge I have been looking at but having a hard time finding it, where did you order it from? Thank you!!
I like the butcher block better. One thing about the Corian, you can also keep using finer sand paper. If you wet sand down to 2000 grit and polish it looks like Granite. I first did this back in 2000 for a kitchen I was doing.
I can't believe you bought a $400 counter top, cut it to size and then went and bought not one but two other ones!! 🤯🤯🤯 what are you gonna do with the "left overs"?
hello Seven, why white? I saw some comments on @Eamon & Bec and found them very convenient. which cooker will you use, induction? I'm starting a project to transform a sprinter 211 cdi, L1H1, everything a little tight !!!! And I'm in the phase of choosing the finishes. I'm going towards the panels of HPL phenolic boards for exterior, they are waterproof and do not need painting precision, and as they are with the interior in black material, it gives a super finish, without needing to cover the edge. modern and industrial finish, with built-in chrome or black screws, fantastic, and combine with 8020 aluminum. One question, for the induction cooker, what would be a battery and inverter configuration, and how many watts of solar panel, considering a use of the van, not too wild, maybe three days stopped, without communication with civilization? tks! hugs!
I’ll go with the Corien counter top because it will last a long time and won’t damage easily. Plus to make it less industrial look, spray paint the bolts with a Matt black primer and clear coat and it will look amazing with the white countertop and the black bolts. I can just see it looking awesome 😁
I loved the white corian counter top - would have left the maple Unpainted and used the white counter top - really liked the look of the maple with the bolts on trim better before it is painted
That’s not actually 80x20 it’s closer to 40x40. Idk where along the line we started calling all profiles 80x20 but 80x20 is 80mm x 20mm. They are aluminum profiles and the numbers are the size.
Butcher Block for me; you remind me of George Mauro (Humble Road-North New Jersey); he builds vans too, also, 80/20 for everything! What about your cooking; what do you use for that?
Good afternoon, Are the aluminum tubes in the camper lighter in weight than when you use wood? And are aluminum tubes easier to process in the camper than wood? Have to say you did a really nice job on this!!! Greetings Jeroen
Agreed the BB looks 100x better than the Corian (too much white) just for the contrast. I'd be SICK thinking of tossing that 400$ in the dumpster though!
Hey SOS, I've notices a multi stage water filter system on top of your water tank. Are you planning on a recirculating hot water system, and or recirculating shower drain water filter system? Thanks for your time!
Would've been hella easier and gotten the same color balance (white/wood) if you'd just left the panels finished maple and waxed them, then used the Corian countertop.
The contrast is badly needed. Wood butcher block for the win. Now.... what will you do with the expensive and lovely white countertop? Perhaps you could create an identical kitchen galley solution with wood bottom/white top for your next build.
I have no idea why you sanded and painted the pre-finished maple... that would have looked great with the white corian. The butcher block is fine, just looks like millions of other vans. If you do use the butcher block I would paint the cabinets a nice grey color
Did I get that right, the drawers always latch into the drawer on top? So that means that basically all the drawers are only held in place by the very top latch? If that one breaks, all the drawers can move out while off-roading.....
The butcher block countertop adds warmth to the space, the Corian is too cold and sterile, there would have been just too much white in the space. The Maple is very nice, Cherry would have been beautiful too. I can see me catching my knee on those latches. I would have chose a slam latch that is all metal.
The butcher block looks better because it is a different color and contrasts with the rest of the cabinet. If you want the white Corian countertop you would need to paint the cabinet a different color to make it look good, or get another expensive piece of Corian of a contrasting color. Personally I would prefer the Corian surface over time. It is much easier to keep clean and maintain.
White countertop top with wood galley, or wood countertop with white galley. Just not both the same color. White top with wood Galley would have been the most time efficient.
Nice job, but I think it would look even better if you had boxed in under the overhanging unit at the door so that the cabinet goes to the floor as I think it would look much more neater and could even have a small compartment for storage, on your next build try it, you will like it, nice job though
The butcher block because you need some color contrast. If you painted your cabinets a light gray the white counter top would be better. The all white did not work.
The sink most defiantly belongs where you put it for soo many reasons.. main reason you can have such a great view while your doing your dishes. Add the fact it is soo easy to use for outside also..
