Pros and Cons of Laminate Counter Tops

When it’s time for a new countertop, there is a lot to know, but this process doesn’t have to be difficult.  After all, decorating style is what makes a home and presents your personal expression.  So it should be a style that suits your life and works for you and your family.  Begin your search by thumbing through decorating magazines and then clip out the pictures that please you, whether it is the color or pattern or texture that grabs your attention.

Also keep in mind your own personal entertaining style.  Do you entertain a lot, and does everyone tend to gather in the kitchen?  You may also want your new kitchen to be casual, not formal.  With hundreds of options for your new countertops, it’s best to narrow the scope by deciding on your color scheme and then picking the texture that best suits you.

Keep in mind that countertops are made of lots of different materials – solid surfacing, natural or engineered stone even ceramic or glass tile.  But if you are looking for the best selection or colors and patterns and the lowest price, laminate is your choice.  There is a large variety of patterns and colors that range from vibrant pure colors to many patterns that simulate the look of stone and wood – at a fraction of the cost that you would pay for real thing.

When it comes to the edging of your countertops, formica countertops offer more choices than other materials.  It comes in a wide range of rolled edges as well as beveled.  And only laminate can be formed into a seamless cove backsplash to keep all those nasty spills form going behind the cabinets.

Several things you want to keep in mind when installing laminate countertops in the proper way of keeping them clean so they will last and stay as beautiful as the day you installed them.  If you stay on top of it, cleaning is simple and easy.  Just use a damp cloth or sponge with a mild soap or detergent.  If you get a didfficult stain such as tea or coffee, it can be removed by using a mild cleaner and baking soda – mixing to achieve a paste consistency and using a stiff nylon bristle brush.  Don’t scrubb to hard and do so for about 15-20 strokes so as not to scratch the finish.

Some recommended household cleaners are Formula 409, Dawn, Glass Plus, Fantastic, Windex, Pledge, Mr. Clean and Top Job.  Beware of acidic or abrasive cleaners as they can damage laminate surfaces, so do not use them.  Also beware of hair, textile and food dyes as these too can cause permanent damage.  If you do have one of these spills, you would want to wipe it immediately with dishwashing detergent or an all-purpose cleaner.  Be sure to always rinse the surface several times.