What You Need to Know About Laminate Countertops

Ah, laminate countertops. Some will call you outdated, cheap or boring. But I call you smart, durable and affordable. With the growing number of DIY homeowners, laminate countertops are a great and inexpensive option. However, even professionally-done kitchens may have laminate -- I recently saw a show on HGTV where the homeowners purchased a laminate countertop and accented it with a concrete-topped island. The result was just lovely!

Laminate countertops are made from layers of paper and plastic that are pressed and laminated together to form the countertop surface. Laminate countertops have been very popular in kitchens and are best known for their popularity in the 1950s. Some recognizable brands are Formica and Wilsonart.

Benefits and Care
Laminate countertops will withstand quite a bit of heat, take a good pounding and still come back fairly resilient. Other than affordability and ease of installation, laminate comes in lots of colors, patterns and textures. You can even get a built-in backsplash. It is also very resistant to stains and grease. Laminate surfaces may scorch under intense heat and take care when using a knife for cutting veggies directly on the surface. Other cons include darkening at the seams and possible peeling or chipping. These imperfections can be troublesome to repair, but there are some pastes out there created especially for this type of damage.

Sealing and Cleaning
Laminate doesn't need any kind of sealant and cleaning laminate is super easy. Just use a clean cloth with a mild dish soap and water. Don't forget to dry the countertop after washing to prevent water from pooling in the seams -- this can help prevent peeling and discoloration. This is the only maintenance you'll ever have to do to your laminate countertop. No resular sealing or oiling is required!

How Does It Measure Up?
The cost of laminate countertops is anywhere from $15 to $60, similar to the pricing of ceramic tile countertops. However, laminate is easier to install -- and no messy grout or adhesive necessary. Laminate is certainly not granite and I find it hard to compare the two because they are just so different. However, laminate is almost as durable as granite if you do a side-by-side comparison. So, if you're looking to save money and still have a great-looking, durable surface then you definitely need to add laminate to your list. It's sure to be one of the easiest and most affordable option.

Don't forget you can DIY them! Check out these great DIY instructions over at doityourself.