Laminate countertops are made of plastic and bonded to particleboard for the formation of a countertop surface. They are made to look like any countertop material. But are laminate countertops good or should you consider conventional options like quartz, marble, and granite kitchen countertops? We will discuss the disadvantages of laminate countertops.
Durability
One of the primary qualities that homeowners want in a countertop is durability. Laminate countertops are weak in this department because they can scratch, chip, and stain easily. Moreover, you should never place hot items directly on the surface of your laminate countertop because they can leave a stain.
Lifespan
If you care for them, they can last for 10-15 years, but you should be careful with using them considering their lower durability compared to quartz and granite. So, even if you care for them, their lifespan is much lesser than natural stone, stainless steel, and quartz.
No Resale Value
Replacing your kitchen countertops can increase your home’s resale value if you select the right materials such as granite, marble, and quartz. However, installing laminate countertops doesn’t impact the resale value of a house.
Therefore, if you’re looking to get a better ROI from the countertop replacement and kitchen renovation, consider natural stones and avoid laminate. That’s because laminate countertops may appear low cost, but the money spent won’t be reflected in the house’s value.
Delamination
Speaking of lower durability, laminate countertops are susceptible to delamination. This is a process in which the top layer of laminate is separated from the panel. In other words, when a laminate countertop is damaged, it’s called delamination.
The primary cause of delamination in laminate countertops is frequent exposure to water and moisture. Delamination is not easily repaired, so if your laminate countertop is delaminated, you will have only one option which is to replace it.
Not Repairable
Laminate countertops are cheap but this is the basic reason many people prefer them. But they are not easily repairable. This means if your laminate countertops get damaged or delaminated, you will most probably need to replace them.
Only minor scratches and chips are repairable, but if there are moderate or bigger chips, cracks, and scratches, they won’t be repaired.
They Look Cheap
Laminate countertops are made of plastic bonded to particleboard, so any shape or pattern of real stones can be printed on it. This can make them look similar to the desired countertop surface.
However, the surface looks cheap too because the appearance of expensive materials is not only because of the style, it’s also due to the texture and depth. Laminate countertops can have the same pattern as those, but they still won’t look authentic.
Cleaning Precautions
When cleaning laminate countertops, you should practice caution and avoid using harsh cleaners and tools. Although this tip is for any installed countertop material, the risk of the surface getting damaged is more with laminate countertops. To avoid harsh cleaners and aluminum scourers, and other items. Always use cloth or fibers scourer and avoid scratching the surface.
Alternatives To Laminate Countertops
Quartz Countertops
Quartz is an engineered stone made by using quartz and resin. This makes the material durable and stain-resistant. Moreover, it’s also more scratch-resistant than laminate and doesn’t crack this easily.
Other than being stain-resistant, quartz repels water and doesn’t allow it to seep into the surface. This reduces the risk of water damage.
Due to their durability, the warranty provides by different brands is also longer. The odds of a person using that warranty will be low, but it’s a good aspect of owning a quartz countertop.
Granite Countertops
Granite is the most popular natural stone used for kitchen countertops. Installing a granite countertop increases your house value because it’s considered durable, stain-resistant, and reacts to heat better than other surfaces.
Once it’s sealed, granite countertops become water-resistant and stain-resistant. On top of that, the appearance of granite countertops is unique and beautiful which is difficult to find in any other type of kitchen countertop material.
Conclusion
Laminate countertops are cheap and easy to install, but the downsides are that they are not durable, they can get damaged over time, and have a shorter lifespan. If you’re considering a new countertop, get in touch with granite countertop installers Durham NC for selecting a granite slab that will last much longer than laminate.