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.
Wilsonart has always been a dependable name in laminate countertops, and their HD® product line features laminates with greater visual depth and up to fives times the wearability of standard laminates. These products also incorporate antimicrobial protection.
Laminate Countertops Are Not Out of Style.
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.
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.
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.
Wilsonart® HD®
Wilsonart HD Laminates come standard with built in Antimicrobial Protection and our exclusive AEON finish, which creates a laminate countertop that is up to 5X more durable than our standard laminate and up to 3X more wear resistant than the industry standard.
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. Prices can vary based on pattern and color selection.
Just ½-inch thick and created without a substrate, these countertops are engineered to stand up to everyday use with sleek sophistication and unprecedented style. Choose from 14 versatile designs.
“Manufacturing in Temple, Texas, where Wilsonart's North American business is based, makes perfect sense,” says Andrew Korzen, Vice President, Product Management for Wilsonart® Solid Surface and Wilsonart® Quartz.
Typical results for Wilsonart® Vertical Grade 335 (VGP) Laminate is 7/16" (11.1mm) outside and 3/16" (4.8mm) inside radii.
Wilsonart® Quartz is manufactured with up to 93 percent high-quality natural quartz crystals, resulting in low emissions and high durability. Wilsonart® Solid Surface products are manufactured with acrylic resins, and are renewable and repairable. It's a sustainable approach, built to last.
Overall, granite countertops are the better option for your home remodel. Granite is beautiful, durable, easy to care for, and will offer you many options when it comes to color, style and cost. Whether it is a kitchen remodel, bathroom remodel or any other area of the home, granite is one of your best options.
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.
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.
Laminate Countertops
Generally the most affordable countertop material available, laminate is made from layers of plastic bonded to particleboard to form a solid surface.
Plastic laminate is available in 4-by-8- foot sheets (though some home centers may also stock 30-, 36- and 60-inch widths and 6-, 10-and 12-foot lengths); it costs about $1.50 to $2.50 a square foot. The laminate is available in two thicknesses: 1/16-inch and 1/32-inch thick.
Created with a water-proof core and antimicrobial protection that inhibits the growth of stain- and odor-causing mold and mildew, it's engineered to withstand everyday use with little maintenance required.
Formica Brand Laminate Patterns 48-in W x 96-in L White Ice Granite Matte Kitchen Laminate Sheet.
As a water-resistant surface, you won't need to worry too much about spills and stains with laminate countertops.
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.
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.