Over the years, laminate countertops have gotten a bad rap for looking cheap and not being very durable, especially when compared to granite, solid surface, quartz, tile and other materials available. But over the years, has risen to compete with these materials, and oftentimes wins out thanks to its affordable price. Here are just a few reasons why you should choose laminate countertops for your next kitchen renovation.
How Laminate Countertops are Composed
Laminate counters made their debut in the 1960s and ‘70s when plastic was on the rise. Although, it’s important to note that laminate isn’t actually plastic, and today it heavily sources paper rather than non-eco-friendly materials. Laminate countertops are generally made of melamine resin as its top layer, an overlay crafted using mostly paper, a decorative layer featuring various colours or designs, and at its base is a layer of thick paper hardened with resins.
The Installation Process
Laminate countertops can be installed as a do-it-yourself project or through a professional installation service. If you plan to install your laminate countertop yourself, you’ll need to purchase prefabricated laminate counters, as they already have the base applied and edging detail added, making for an easier process. If you go for the professional installation option, your laminate countertop will be installed by Art’s Countertops with peace of mind.
How Laminate Compares to Other Materials
Solid Surface
Solid surface countertops are often called Corian countertops. They are made of polyester or acrylic. The advantage of a solid surface is that any scratches can be easily sanded out and then re-polished. They also have the benefit of having nearly invisible seams.
Natural Stone and Quartz
Whichever material you choose, both natural stone and engineered quartz are completely solid through and through, whereas laminate has a particleboard base. Laminate is vastly cheaper than either option and doesn’t need to be sealed regularly.
Pricing
Even with the facelift that laminate countertops have received over the years, they’re still one of the more cost-effective countertop options. You can find low to high-end laminate products, all of which will be a lot cheaper than any other option.
At Art’s Countertops, we provide our customers with high-quality granite countertop and quartz countertops, laminate countertops, solid surfaces and more. With installation services through Cambridge, Waterloo and Kitchener, be sure to visit our website for more information.