The Truth About Laminate Countertops In 3 Minutes
During the 1950’s and 1960’s, laminate countertop was developed as the best alternative before falling into disrepute as cheap and even tacky. However, todays’ laminates are a completely different quality, leading it to be one of the primary keywords in countertop material searches and discussions, alongside wood or stone surfaces!
While they still may not have the prestige of solid surfaces, laminate has been the most improved material over the years. The latest high-pressure laminate countertops may surprise you with their design options, durability, and cost-effectiveness.
1. What is a Laminate Countertop?
Laminate is a hardy material made up of many layers, including plastic phenolic-treated kraft papers, a decorative print layer, and a thin, transparent melamine top layer that protects everything. In the basic manufacturing process, these layers are glued together with a special adhesive and combined under extreme pressure and heat, significantly increasing the laminate countertop's strength and resistance to heat and scratching. Plywood, medium-density fiberboard (MDF), and particleboard (MFC) are some core substrates commonly used in constructing a laminate countertop.
2. Laminate Countertop Pros and Cons
Clearly, compared to natural wood, granite, marble, and engineered quartz countertops, one of the significant benefits of a laminate countertop is its low cost, sometimes three to four times less expensive. Laminate is also a great imitator, which means you can get the look of almost any other countertop material for a lower price. However, their disadvantage is durability, as they tend to have a shorter life than other popular surfaces. As a result, it is ideal for those with excellent taste but a limited budget.
Furthermore, because laminate countertops are lightweight, they are simple to install and do not require professional assistance. Even if you do need to hire someone, the cost will be less than hiring a specialized contractor to install other types of materials.
3. Laminate Countertops for Every Style!
- Waterfall Laminate Countertop: When a countertop continues to the floor rather than stopping at the edge, it is called a waterfall effect. This seamless transition adds much to the kitchen aesthetic. Using lower-cost countertop materials such as laminate for the waterfall effect can also be far more cost-effective.
- Wood-look Laminate Countertop for Rustic Designs: The sleek faux-wood laminate countertops complement Rustic, Mid-century Modern, and Farmhouse kitchen designs. You can get both the convenient, hygienic nature of a laminate surface and the warmth of wood in your space.
- Simulated Natural Stones: Like a chameleon, a laminate surface has unlimited versatility with any appearance. A quartz-like finish with its consistent patterns, or granite with a mix of random dynamic delicate black streaks, the standard matte or gloss finishes are all possible. In addition, marble has an incredibly unique veining and crystalline structure. This structure is better expressed in laminate surfaces than in quartz. They give laminate counters not only the look but also the feel of stone countertops.
- Laminate Countertop with Undermount Sink: Traditionally, laminate countertops are attached beneath the sink because the weight of the sink needs to be supported by the countertop. However, with new high-pressure laminates and waterproof, rolled edges, under-mount sinks can now be successfully and safely bonded to the bottom of these countertops.
Tip: For this type of under-mounted look, make sure you use an approved sink.
- Laminate Countertops in the "Industrial" Beauty: Some selections of laminate countertops look like concrete and metal for those who want the kitchen to have an urban, industrial look. With these versatile laminates, you can completely transform your space into a "solid" feel with an edgy concrete appearance or a sophisticated metal-like surface!
- Flexible to Combine with Natural Stone: Many talented designers create kitchen islands that are one-of-a-kind by combining laminate and natural stone. By combining materials, it can create a surface that is ideal for multiple uses on one kitchen island's countertop. A laminate countertop can serve as a dedicated dining area while the granite or quartz countertop is the worktop of the stove.
At Zen Living, we offer laminate countertops with huge selections of realistic patterns and colours. They can be personalized in any style you like. Our selections are available in 3cm (about 1.18 in) and 6cm (about 2.36 in) thick as well as many edge options, providing you with a wide range of aesthetic alternatives for kitchen, bathroom, or bar countertops in recreation areas.
Unlike most suppliers, we cut and finish Quartz, Granite, and Laminate countertops in our state-of-the-art factory in Calgary’s Foothills Industrial Park. This innovation makes our high-quality countertops highly affordable for every budget.
Are you looking for Calgary laminate countertops, or need more advice for your kitchen countertops? We are here to help! Contact one of our kitchen Design Professionals for a FREE Kitchen Design Consultation.
To get started, simply fill out our form for a free consultation, or you can give us a call at (403) 720-1928 for free design consultation. Our team at Zen Living Kitchen & Bath is eager to work with you and hear all about your project ideas. We are dedicated to turning your vision into a reality.
While they still may not have the prestige of solid surfaces, laminate has been the most improved material over the years. The latest high-pressure laminate countertops may surprise you with their design options, durability, and cost-effectiveness.
1. What is a Laminate Countertop?
Laminate is a hardy material made up of many layers, including plastic phenolic-treated kraft papers, a decorative print layer, and a thin, transparent melamine top layer that protects everything. In the basic manufacturing process, these layers are glued together with a special adhesive and combined under extreme pressure and heat, significantly increasing the laminate countertop's strength and resistance to heat and scratching. Plywood, medium-density fiberboard (MDF), and particleboard (MFC) are some core substrates commonly used in constructing a laminate countertop.
2. Laminate Countertop Pros and Cons
Clearly, compared to natural wood, granite, marble, and engineered quartz countertops, one of the significant benefits of a laminate countertop is its low cost, sometimes three to four times less expensive. Laminate is also a great imitator, which means you can get the look of almost any other countertop material for a lower price. However, their disadvantage is durability, as they tend to have a shorter life than other popular surfaces. As a result, it is ideal for those with excellent taste but a limited budget.
Furthermore, because laminate countertops are lightweight, they are simple to install and do not require professional assistance. Even if you do need to hire someone, the cost will be less than hiring a specialized contractor to install other types of materials.
3. Laminate Countertops for Every Style!
- Waterfall Laminate Countertop: When a countertop continues to the floor rather than stopping at the edge, it is called a waterfall effect. This seamless transition adds much to the kitchen aesthetic. Using lower-cost countertop materials such as laminate for the waterfall effect can also be far more cost-effective.
- Wood-look Laminate Countertop for Rustic Designs: The sleek faux-wood laminate countertops complement Rustic, Mid-century Modern, and Farmhouse kitchen designs. You can get both the convenient, hygienic nature of a laminate surface and the warmth of wood in your space.
- Simulated Natural Stones: Like a chameleon, a laminate surface has unlimited versatility with any appearance. A quartz-like finish with its consistent patterns, or granite with a mix of random dynamic delicate black streaks, the standard matte or gloss finishes are all possible. In addition, marble has an incredibly unique veining and crystalline structure. This structure is better expressed in laminate surfaces than in quartz. They give laminate counters not only the look but also the feel of stone countertops.
- Laminate Countertop with Undermount Sink: Traditionally, laminate countertops are attached beneath the sink because the weight of the sink needs to be supported by the countertop. However, with new high-pressure laminates and waterproof, rolled edges, under-mount sinks can now be successfully and safely bonded to the bottom of these countertops.
Tip: For this type of under-mounted look, make sure you use an approved sink.
- Laminate Countertops in the "Industrial" Beauty: Some selections of laminate countertops look like concrete and metal for those who want the kitchen to have an urban, industrial look. With these versatile laminates, you can completely transform your space into a "solid" feel with an edgy concrete appearance or a sophisticated metal-like surface!
- Flexible to Combine with Natural Stone: Many talented designers create kitchen islands that are one-of-a-kind by combining laminate and natural stone. By combining materials, it can create a surface that is ideal for multiple uses on one kitchen island's countertop. A laminate countertop can serve as a dedicated dining area while the granite or quartz countertop is the worktop of the stove.
At Zen Living, we offer laminate countertops with huge selections of realistic patterns and colours. They can be personalized in any style you like. Our selections are available in 3cm (about 1.18 in) and 6cm (about 2.36 in) thick as well as many edge options, providing you with a wide range of aesthetic alternatives for kitchen, bathroom, or bar countertops in recreation areas.
Unlike most suppliers, we cut and finish Quartz, Granite, and Laminate countertops in our state-of-the-art factory in Calgary’s Foothills Industrial Park. This innovation makes our high-quality countertops highly affordable for every budget.
Are you looking for Calgary laminate countertops, or need more advice for your kitchen countertops? We are here to help! Contact one of our kitchen Design Professionals for a FREE Kitchen Design Consultation.
To get started, simply fill out our form for a free consultation, or you can give us a call at (403) 720-1928 for free design consultation. Our team at Zen Living Kitchen & Bath is eager to work with you and hear all about your project ideas. We are dedicated to turning your vision into a reality.
