Laminate Countertops

A new era in countertops - The Laminate countertops

Countertops are considered to be the focal point in a kitchen or a bathroom. Countertops serve as a functional and decorative part of kitchen and bathrooms. They are available in varieties of materials, sizes, shapes, colors and costs in the market. Hence picking up a countertop to fit your budget and style is not tough. Gone are the days when countertops used to be a simple flat surface for functionality. With many appealing materials being used to make countertops, the appearance of countertops has also become important. The latest addition to countertops is laminate countertops. Laminate countertops have become one of the most popular countertops in the market today. Laminate countertop is highly decorative, affordable and also strong. Add the ease of maintenance to it and you will not be surprised why it is so popular.

Laminate is basically made of several layers of synthetic materials. Even Kraft paper which is used to make paper bags are used to make laminate. It is such a versatile material that it is used in various fields and not just for making countertops. Laminates are replacing wooden bowling alleys and also boat interiors are being lined with laminates. Laminate is strong and it can’t be chipped. They are very durable and not prone to scratch easily. These qualities make laminate a good material to be used for making countertops. These qualities of laminate have been tested and proved and its popularity is the proof for that.

Laminate countertops are available in more colors, finishes and patterns than any other type of countertop. You can be confident that no matter how unique your décor is, you will still be able to find a countertop to complement it. Laminate countertops are also available in granite or hardwood finishes. You can get the same feel of other elegant countertop finishes with great durability and this is what makes laminate countertops the preferred option nowadays. Cleaning and maintaining laminate countertops is also very easy and foolproof. But it is not easy to repair a damaged laminate countertop. However as laminate countertops are cheap, and this means replacing them would not blow a big hole in your purse.

Laminate countertops can be cleaned by using a mild soap and a dish cloth. But never use abrasives on the surface as it might damage the surface. You can use baking soda and a mild household cleaner to remove stains from laminate countertops. As laminate countertops are non porous, the stains tend to remain only on the surface and hence can be removed easily. You can also use a nylon bristle brush to scrub the surface. If you are using bleach, you need to be careful as excessive bleach will discolor the laminate countertop. Being non-porous, the need for sealing does not arise.

Laminate countertops are not heat resistant. You should never place a hot vessel on a laminate countertop. As laminate is made of layers, placing something hot on the countertop will make the layers break apart. So make sure that you place hot vessels on a pot holder or trivet. Laminate countertops are susceptible to cuts and hence you have to use a cutting board to cut your vegetables. If you cut on the laminate countertop chances are that you will cut the laminate and damage the surface. Laminate countertops edges can chip under sudden impact and hence you need to be careful while moving heavy items near the laminate countertop. If laminate countertops are damaged, they cannot be repaired. You have no option but to replace the whole laminate countertop.

Laminate is made up of layers and with Kraft paper being used you will see dark lines at the edges of the laminate countertop. The best way to overcome this would be to install the laminate countertop from wall to wall. You also have the option to trim the edges of the laminate countertop with wood or stainless steel. This will ensure that the dark lines are not visible. Laminate countertops can also have rolled edges. This will ensure that liquids do not spill down from the countertop. But if you are opting for rolled edges the black lines would be more visible and it becomes a must to trim the edges. If properly trimmed, laminate countertops can look as elegant as a granite countertop.

Laminate countertops are new generation countertops that are both cheap and durable. The fact that they are available in a wide variety of finishes, colors and styles adds to the reason of it popularity. Laminate countertops are also easy to install and maintain. However they are susceptible to heat and sharp objects. One has to make sure that they don’t use the countertop surface for cutting and also not place any hot vessel on the countertop thereby damaging the countertop. Repairing a laminate countertop is not possible and one has to replace the whole laminate countertop if damaged. Laminate countertops are easy to maintain too. You can clean them with mild soap and a cloth. The fact that laminate countertops are not porous ensures that they don’t stain easily and stains can also be removed from the surface by using baking soda. With laminate countertops costing $25-$60/lin. ft., including installation which is much lower than other countertops, the days of laminate countertops are not numbered.