What You Need to Know - Laminate Countertop

The primary reasons to choose laminate countertops over other tops include: Receiving a good quality product at an affordable price, its ease of maintenance and its hard, impact resistant finish.

Due to the reasonable cost of laminate, they are a desirable option, but will not last as long as other solid surface type surfaces.  However, some see this as an advantage.  Due to the lower cost, the look of a kitchen can be changed and updated more frequently. Laminate countertops have been the most affordable countertop choice for decades.

You can also chip laminate and while it cannot be repaired completely, it is far less expensive to replace this top than other countertop material options. Laminate tops are easy to install and durable.

Eventually, it is possible the seams will show and dirt and bacteria can become trapped over time.  If a seam is located close to a sink, the seam can become unsightly if water is allowed to soak in to the product.  Keep excessive moisture away from seams. Laminate countertops like those made from granite and engineered stone have seams where the countertop sections meet.  A good fabricator can make a laminate top seam almost disappear. 

Countertops come in to direct contact with food.  The less porous the top, the less likelihood bacteria will be trapped in the surface.  Laminate performs well in this application, because it is a non-porous product.

Laminate is ideal in high use areas such as: Craft/Hobby rooms, Garages, Children’s rooms, Libraries, Family rooms, Cabinets, tables and Snack bars. Laminate has been very popular for children’s rooms due to the wide variety of design options and the safety afforded by rounded custom edges on tables and countertops.  The product also works well on walls and doors.  Again, it is a non-porous surface so it is resistant to bacteria.