Lifespan. With standard use, well taken care of laminate countertops will last about 15 years. After that, they'll show significant wear and fading. Heavy use will dramatically shorten their lifespan.
Laminate countertops are not resistant to heat and can scratch. Laminate countertops are an inexpensive, low-maintenance alternative to pricey stone and solid-surface countertops, and they are available in many styles that mimic expensive surfaces such as granite or marble.
According to the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), stone countertops are rated as able to last a lifetime, over 100 years are more. That's over twice as long as most other materials — talk about getting some bang for your buck!
Laminate breaks down with heavy use. It does not do well in high-moisture environments. It can harbor bacteria once it is scratched open. Solid surface, on the other hand, is made for high use and/or high-moisture environments.
But today's laminates are of considerably better quality than the classic Formica countertops of the 1960s. While they still may not have the prestige of quartz, natural stone, or composite materials, these latest high-pressure laminates (HPLs) are by no means inferior countertop materials.
For Formica® HPL and DecoMetal® Metal Laminates, we recommend disinfecting with: 1) Quaternary Ammonium which is the largest group (198 listed) of EPA approved disinfectants. Examples of Quaternary Ammonium products include: Clorox® Disinfecting Wipes, Lysol®, Virex®, Caviwipes®… 3) Sodium Hypochlorite or Bleach.
Laminate countertop installation costs anywhere from $40 to $80 per square foot. This includes both materials and labor. The countertops themselves cost $10 to $40 per square foot, but prices vary based on the manufacturer, color, and style.
In Corian, any scratch can be sanded and it can restore its original form. In laminate the scratches are permanent. Laminate can get chipped and becomes irrepairable while Corian is a very strong and durable material which is resistant to chipping. Corian is more expensive, stronger and more durable than laminate.
Corian is a branded name used in reference to solid surface countertops. These surfaces are a step up from laminate but still lack the durability and aesthetics that would allow them to compete with natural stone such as quartz. This is one of the primary reasons Corian offers poor resale value compared to quartz.
Function. Both laminate and Corian are scratch and heat resistant, but both can be scratched, and with extreme heat, tarnished. Corian is a lot easier to scratch than laminate but because Corian is solid, you can sand out stains or scratches. You cannot do this with laminate.
But, being easy to repair, solid surface tops could theoretically last for the lifetime of the home. It's assumed that granite countertops will last 100 years or more.
Lifespan. Warranties on quartz countertops last from 10 years to the life of your home. In reality, they have the potential to last much longer than your house. The man-made products used in their construction don't break down over time, and the natural materials are all but indestructible.
Butcher block countertops will last around 20 years, which compares to other countertops like granite. Butcher block will last longer than laminate countertops but need monthly resealing to have a long lifespan. Butcher blocks also need occasional resurfacing to remove deep stains, dings and scratches.
However, despite the latest fads, Formica (laminate) counters are still the most popular in homes. 70% of homes today still prefer laminate countertops due to their resiliency, easy maintenance, and of course, affordability.
Laminate that Looks Like Quartz
Synonymous with laminate countertops, Formica offers countless styles and colors. If you like the look of quartz, this Bottle Glass Quartz style from Formica may be what you're looking for. Make your countertops look like new with this unique refinishing process.
Laminate is making a comeback and is being used more and more these days because of its improved design and style. Today's laminate looks more like natural stone and because of improved printing techniques and designers who are creating better recreations of stone, laminate has made a dramatic comeback.
Quartz takes first place in terms of durability. Made of crushed quartz stone mixed with polymers and resin, this artificially engineered stone countertop is an extremely durable surface that resembles natural stone.
When it comes to cleaning, vinegar can be a solid workhorse. Vinegar can clean laminate countertops, ceramic sinks and toilets, and sink drains—but it should not be used to clean everything.
Solid surfaces (aka “Corian”) and laminate are two of the most popular countertop materials on the market, along with engineered and natural stone surfaces like granite, quartz, and marble.
Granite Countertops
Long considered the obvious choice for solid surface countertops, Granite has become less on-trend in recent years, especially with the growth of more natural and beautiful man-made surfaces such as Quartz and Dekton.
Laminate Countertops
Generally the most affordable countertop material available, laminate is made from layers of plastic bonded to particleboard to form a solid surface.
Laminate countertops typically take between 2-4 hours. They are some of the quickest and easiest to install because they're lightweight and easy to manage. Prefabricated laminate countertops are the quickest to install, with the average time to install laminate countertops being less than stone materials.
Sheet laminate costs $30-$150 per sheet, depending on the size of the sheet and the color and style of the laminate. Laminate sheets in many sizes, from 30-60 inches wide and 36-144 inches long are sold at Lowe's[3] .