3 pros!
Laminate countertops give homeowners stylish countertops at a budget-friendly price
Laminate countertops have come a long way in terms of durability and design, from simple to high-end, while remaining affordable.
What are Laminate Countertops?
Laminate countertops consist of a combination of resin-soaked kraft paper as the bottom layers that are glued onto a particleboard base. Then the top layer is the decorative layer with a solid or pattern design.
Solid colors get an additional, more durable layer of resin to protect against wear and tear. For patterned layers, they’re not soaked in resin directly. Instead, they’re stacked with transparent overlay paper saturated with resin for protection.
Once all the layers are ready, each layer required for a laminate sheet goes into a press that uses intense heat to bind all of them together.
Laminate vs. Popular Countertop Materials
Let’s look at how laminate stacks up against some of the most in-demand countertop materials:
Vs. Marble Countertops
Marble is a natural stone with a unique, classic style that can add charm to your countertops.
Choose marble over laminate for:
- Appearance: No slab of marble is similar, so it gives your home a one-of-a-kind look.
- Durability: Marble is more stain- and heat-resistant than plastic laminate. Plus, it naturally stays cool and always remains below room temperature.
- Longevity: While an investment, marble can last for decades.
But, while it’s stain-resistant, marble is prone to dull spots, known as etching, when it comes into contact with acids like lemon and vinegar over time. This can lead to scratches showing through.
Marble is beautiful to look at, but it also requires pretty high maintenance to keep that way. Since it’s a porous surface, you’ll need to periodically seal it to prevent discoloration and scratching. Also, to keep it looking polished, marble requires cleaning products designed specifically for it.
Vs. Granite Countertops
Granite is a natural stone straight out of the ground that’s rich in design and quality.
Choose granite over laminate for:
- Appearance: It offers homeowners distinct patterns, colors, and veining that they can’t find anywhere else.
- Durability: It’s resistant to heat stains, and scratches.
- Longevity: Granite is far more expensive, but it can last a lifetime.
But resistance doesn’t equal immunity. Etching can still occur if it hasn’t been properly sealed when it comes into contact with acidic foods, and it’s more noticeable on lighter granite countertops.
Both granite and laminate countertops can be cleaned with warm, soapy water. But granite does require more maintenance with yearly resealing to prevent etching.
Vs. Quartz Countertops
Quartz is an engineered stone that’s aesthetically pleasing and can brighten up any home.
Choose quartz over laminate for:
- Appearance: Since 90% of quartz is made from ground-up quartz particles it has a more realistic look to it than laminate.
- Durability: It’s one of the hardest materials in the world and is more resistant to heat, stains, and scratches than laminate.
- Lifetime Value: While pricey, quartz has incredible strength and durability which means it can last a lifetime.
Some of quartz and laminate similarities are that they don’t require frequent sealing and you only need warm, soapy water to clean them.
Pros of Laminate Countertops
(Photo By Alphotographic/E+ via Getty Images)
Here are some noteworthy pros of laminate countertops that’ll cover most homeowners’ basic needs:
Easy to Install
Laminate countertops are lightweight compared to natural stone and can be a DIY project for handy homeowners.
Multiple Design Options
Since laminate is made in a factory, there are endless design options for you to choose from. Plus, if you love the look of natural stone kitchen countertops but not the price tag, you can get look-alikes with laminate.
Budget-Friendly
Laminate countertops are one of the most affordable options on the market. You can get a high-end look easily at a low price.
Low Maintenance
No sealing or special products are required with laminate. And cleaning requires minimal effort; just wipe and go.
Cons of Laminate Countertops
While laminate countertops do offer nice advantages, there are some key downsides that you should consider:
Durability
Laminate countertops are far more durable than when they first came out over 50 years ago. But, they’re still less durable than some of the natural stone kitchen countertops.
They’re not scratch- and heat-resistant. So, it’s best to use a cutting board when you’re cutting something in the kitchen. And to avoid burning your surfaces, don’t place hot pots directly on them. Also, if it does scratch or chip, it’s difficult to repair and might need to be replaced entirely.
Resale Value
If it’s not your forever home, laminate won’t increase your home’s resale value.
Are Laminate Countertops Worth the Cost?
Here’s a breakdown of what each countertop material costs:
- Laminate countertops cost $10 to $40 per square foot
- Marble costs $40 to $100 per square foot
- Granite costs $40 to $60 per square foot
- Quartz comes in at $50 to $200 per square foot
So, if you’re looking for an affordable countertop surface that can still make your kitchen look timeless, even if it’s not a long-term investment, then laminate might be right for you.
Contact your local laminate countertop pro for inspiration and customized advice.