According to Better Homes and Gardens, laminate countertops cost between $20 to $60 per square foot. It's one of the least expensive countertop options available and is far less expensive than other countertop materials.
Laminates are also susceptible to burns and chipping, which is one downside. Over time, laminate countertops can suffer from delamination, especially from water damage. It is difficult to repair delamination and in most cases, you will need to replace the entire countertop.
On average, laminate countertops cost between $20 to $50 per square foot. This makes the surfaces one of the cheapest countertop options that you can find. Granite typically costs between $32 to $75 per square foot. This is the least expensive option among stone countertop choices.
Laminate Counters Prices
Laminate is the most affordable material for use in countertops. It comes in a wide variety of colors and styles, many of which are created to look like granite, marble or other high-end materials.
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.
While once popular and trendy in older homes, laminate countertops have been viewed more recently as outdated. However, like another retro design feature—wallpaper—laminate countertops could be experiencing a reemergence in popularity.
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.
Is granite better than laminate? Yes, granite is better than laminate. Granite has a higher heat resistance than laminated counters, it's much stronger than laminated counters, and it become resistant to stains too if you seal it and maintain it regularly.
Quartz and Laminate Durability
Both materials are generally durable and highly stain-resistant, and neither needs to be sealed like natural stone does. Quartz is highly abrasion-resistant, under normal conditions, while laminate's top-most wear layer has long been its weak point.
Granite has been the number one kitchen countertop option for homeowners for several years. While it has more competition than in the past, granite remains to be a top choice among homeowners because of its natural composition, exquisite looks, and designs that cannot be replicated.
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.
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.
The truth is, laminate, Formica®, and Wilsonart® are basically the same; laminate is the material while Formica® and Wilsonart® are the brand names. Both brands come in a wide range of colors and patterns and are widely marketed for kitchen countertops, bathroom vanities, and bar counters.
Countertop installation costs $3,077 on average, with a typical range of $1,852 and $4,311. Homeowners usually pay $15 to $70 per square foot for the material and $10 to $30 per square foot for labor, for a total of $25 to $120 per square foot.
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 countertops cost from $8 to $20/ft while quartz costs from $75 to $105/ft. There is no doubt that this difference is quite significant. However, for a more luxurious look coupled with durability and longevity, quartz is a better investment, despite being a little on the higher side price-wise.
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.
Formica, a laminate brand that's become so ubiquitous people use it as a catch-all term, is slightly more expensive than other laminates. Formica costs a minimum of $15 per square foot, but around $25 per square foot on average.
Formica Brand Laminate Patterns 48-in W x 96-in L White Ice Granite Matte Kitchen Laminate Sheet.
Conclusion. 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.
Granite, marble and engineered solid surface stone are the best quartz alternatives as far as durability and cost.
Laminate countertops are the easiest kitchen countertop to maintain. Once installed, all you will need to do is clean them with mild soap and water. No additional maintenance is required.
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.