Laminate countertops have completed the circle since they were first introduced as a futuristic alternative to wood or stone surfaces in the late 1940s and early 1950s. Plastic laminate countertops experienced a protracted period after their prime from the 1950s to the late 1960s when they were viewed as inexpensive and even tacky. As a result, consumers started to avoid laminate countertops and switch to solid-surface materials like Corina, natural stone, and synthetic stone and composites.
However, today’s laminate table tops are far higher quality than the traditional Formica counters of the 1960s. These most recent high-pressure laminates (HPLs) are by no means inferior countertop materials, even if they still need the prestige of quartz, genuine stone, or composite materials. Today’s laminates cost much less than most other materials and provide hundreds of design choices. Laminates are among the most incredible options for Dyers to install their countertops. However, laminate countertops often last less than other surfaces, and even the best ones can be damaged by burns, chipping, or delamination.
PROS
· Inexpensive
· DIY-friendly
· Simple to maintain
· There are several design possibilities
CONS
· Easily damaged by fire and delamination
· Brief lifespan
· Difficult to fix
PLASTIC LAMINATE
Although there are minor proprietary variances between manufacturers, the primary production method for all plastic laminates used for countertops is the same. In the fundamental procedure, common brown craft paper layers are laminated with plastic phenolic resins, followed by a decorative print layer, a wear layer, and a protective layer made of thin, transparent melamine resin. Modern high-pressure laminates have layers of cellulose that are impregnated into plastic resins and solidified into solids when heated and compressed. This gives the finished product significantly higher strength and resilience to heat and scratching.
LAMINATE TABLE TOP COST
One of your least expensive countertop alternatives is still laminate. Home Depot says the average cost of a countertop alone is $29 per square foot, whereas solid surface materials (like Corina) cost $52, granite costs $58 per square foot, and quartz (engineered stone) costs $68. However, expenses exceeding $40 per square foot are feasible for laminate countertops, and prices can vary substantially depending on the design and color you choose.
If you have a bespoke countertop made and installed, create your own from raw laminate, or install prefabricated countertop pieces (also known as a post-form countertop), the price will also vary substantially.
CUSTOM BUILD COUNTERTOP
If you hire a professional, they will create the countertop core to your exact requirements, apply the raw sheet laminate you have chosen, and then install the countertop. The average cost of constructing and installing the countertop is $60 per square foot, including installation labor. Expect to pay considerably more if you want unique edge treatments, a time-consuming procedure that raises the cost. You may also have the countertop made for between $20 and $40 per square foot, then install it yourself.
BUILD YOUR OWN USING RAW LAMINATE
Costs range from $100 to $300 per large sheet of laminate (5 x 12 feet, or 60 square feet) or $1.50 to $5 per square foot. Each 4 x 8-foot piece of MDF needed to construct the countertop core will cost around $30 in addition to tool rental fees and materials like contact cement. For a DIY countertop, budget between $5 and $10 per square foot.
PREFABRICATED POST FORM TABLETOP
Home improvement stores provide prefabricated countertop parts in lengths of 4 feet, 8 feet, and angled corner sections. The price per segment ranges from $50 to $200. This is a cheap and simple alternative, but the colors and patterns you may choose from are just those that are available at home improvement stores. These countertops often have integrated backsplashes and rounded front corners and are extremely basic.
