Laminate Countertop Pros and Cons

Laminate countertops have been around since the 1950s, but they have come a long way in the subsequent decades. Forget those memories of your grandmother’s kitchen; with hundreds of styles and colors available, you can find laminate counters that refresh your kitchen, turning it into a new and modern space. This versatile material is light, inexpensive, and relatively easy to work with. Learn all about laminate countertop pros and cons to determine whether it is the right choice for your kitchen.

What Are Laminate Countertops?

Laminate countertops are often referred to as Formica (TM) countertops for the brand that invented them. They are generally constructed with layers of paper covered with a protective melamine resin top layer. The laminate is bonded to a solid material such as plywood or particleboard. In general, laminate is the least expensive countertop option. It is important to consider the pros and cons of laminate countertops before making the decision to install them in your kitchen.

Pros of Laminate Countertops

Because they are one of the least expensive countertop materials, it is easy to wonder if laminate countertops are any good. But there is a lot to love about laminate countertops. Here are the main advantages.

Beautiful and Sleek

New laminate countertops can look stunning in your kitchen. There are even laminate designs that mimic natural stone like granite or quartz.

Easy to Clean

You can clean laminate counters with dish soap and water or with a standard cleaning solution. Choose a nonabrasive cleaner to avoid scratching the seal, and stay away from bleach because it can damage and discolor the surface. With a simple cleaning, laminate countertops are great at warding off bacteria.

Budget Friendly

Laminate is the least expensive countertop material and can save you hundreds, if not thousands of dollars, when you are remodeling a kitchen on a budget.

Resistant to Stains

As a water resistant surface, you will not need to worry too much about spills and stains with laminate countertops. They are resilient.

Many Styles and Colors Available

Laminate comes in hundreds of colors and patterns. You can pick exactly what you want, allowing you to match stainless steel appliances or blend in with the rest of your kitchen colors. There are also several edge options available, including:

• Bullnose (curved at the top and bottom)

• Beveled (45-degree angled edge on top)

• Ogee (a concave arc that flows into a convex arc)

Great for DIY Installation

Because the material is lightweight and easy to install, new laminate countertops are perfect for moderate DIYers. You can also hire a countertop contractor or compare counter install prices.

Long Lasting

If properly cared for, laminate countertops can last 20 to 30 years. While some natural stone, such as granite countertops, can last up to 100 years, other options, including marble, quartz, and concrete countertops, have a similar life span to laminate but cost much more.

Cons of Laminate Countertops

Despite its numerous benefits, laminate might not be the right countertop material for you.

Not Heat Resistant

Avoid setting hot pans and pots directly on your laminate countertops, as it could melt the synthetic surface.

More Susceptible to Damage and Dullness

Laminate tends to be more prone to showing damage like scratches, dents, and nicks. It can also start to look worn if not properly cared for. Always use a cutting board to avoid damaging the surface.

Cannot Be Repaired or Resealed

While other countertop materials might be able to be sanded or repaired, it is difficult to repair laminate countertops. With laminate, there is a risk of water seeping through cracks or joints and reaching the substrate underneath. If water reaches the plywood or particleboard beneath the surface, the wood is likely to absorb the moisture and warp or swell. Repairs can be time consuming and expensive and, without addressing the issue promptly, you may have uneven countertops.

Visible Seams

When you install two pieces of laminate next to each other, you will have a noticeable seam. Soften the look by placing the seams in less central or visible areas.

Does Not Add Value to Your Home

If you sell your home, laminate will not boost your home’s price. Other, more expensive countertops, like granite or marble, are likely to bump up your home’s value.

Laminate Countertop Cost Compared to Other Materials

Comparing laminate prices to other countertops can help you decide what is best for your kitchen. Here is a breakdown of the most popular countertop materials installed, based on a 30-linear-foot kitchen:

• Laminate: $1,575

• Granite slab: $4,440

• Carrara marble: $4,620

• Concrete: $5,310

The average labor cost to install laminate countertops is between $30 and $40 per hour. Installing other materials, like marble and concrete countertops, tends to cost more per hour because their weight makes installation more difficult.

You can have a custom laminate countertop designed and installed, but it will raise the overall cost. Custom laminate countertops can cost between $50 and $80 per square foot, while a prefabricated piece of laminate countertop can be as low as $6.50 per square foot or less, plus installation costs. For a DIYer, laminate countertops are relatively easy to install, which can save on the overall cost.

DIY vs. Hiring a Pro 

It’s possible to DIY a countertop installation, but this is one project you may want to leave to the professionals. The weight and dimensions of a countertop—of any material, including laminate—make it virtually impossible to install by yourself. Also, installing countertops requires precise measurements, so if you accidentally make an error in the calculation, then you’ll have to absorb the cost and purchase a new countertop.

Five Alternatives to Laminate Countertops

Laminate is a versatile countertop material that suits a variety of budgets and kitchen styles, but it’s worth considering all options before making a decision. Here are the most popular alternatives to laminate countertops.

1. Tile

Even though tile countertops have waned in popularity since the mid-20th century, they’ve never truly gone out of style. A primary benefit of tile countertops, similar to laminate, is price. No matter what material you select, tiles are cheaper than modular pieces. For example, granite tile costs $20 to $25 less per square foot than granite slabs. It’s a budget-friendly option with a customizable look.

2. Solid Surface

Solid surface countertops are made from synthetic materials and are known for being nonporous and low-maintenance. Compared to most laminate countertops, solid surface is a step up in quality that won’t break the bank like natural stone. There are two kinds of solid surface countertops: polyester-based and acrylic-based. The former is cheaper but comes in a wider variety of colors. Solid surface countertops are often recognizable by their brand names, the most popular of which is Corian®.

3. Butcher Block

Butcher block countertops are made from strips of natural wood fused together and sanded until smooth. They bring a timeless and cozy look to the kitchen and are popular among homeowners going for a farmhouse aesthetic. Butcher block has a few drawbacks, however. Wood is easy to scratch and high-maintenance compared to other countertop materials. Like laminate, it’s also vulnerable to water and heat damage.

4. Granite

Many laminate countertops are designed to look like granite but for a cheaper price. If you have the budget, granite offers several benefits that laminate doesn’t. Granite countertops last longer (up to 100 years with proper care) and are more resistant to scratches and high temperatures.

5. Quartz

Laminate and quartz are both engineered materials meant to resemble natural stone. While they share a few other similarities—both materials are low-maintenance and stain-resistant—they differ in many other ways, especially price. Quartz countertops cost $4,500 on average, more than double what laminate countertops cost. The payoff is that quartz is extremely durable and can last a lifetime if adequately maintained.