1-800-608-1485
Ideas & Inspiration
Planning & Resources
Countertop / Tiles Contracting Tips and Ideas
Home
Resources
About Us
Find a Contractor
General Contractors
Remodeling Contractors
Landscaping Contractors
Swimming Pool Contractors
Roofing Contractors
Concrete Contractors
Siding Contractors
Excavation Contractors
Electricians
Plumbers
Framers
Carpenters
HVAC Technicians
Painters
more Contractors..
Contractors Join
Find a Contractor.... In Your Area... For Any Project
Hassle Free....
Safe & Secure....
Reliable....
Professional Contractors....
Complete Our Project Description Form to Contact Four Member Contractors in Your Area.
     
 

Plastic Laminate Countertops

Laminates are the solution for a remodel on a budget. It may be used as the sole material for the new project, or it may be combined with a more expensive material, like granite, ceramic or Silestone to create a budget-friendly new space with an expensive focal point. For example, you could cover a small area, such as a kitchen island or tub surround with the more expensive material and use a complementary laminate for the remainder of the project.

Laminate surfaces may be cleaned using a damp cloth and mild soap. For more resistant stains, create a paste from baking soda and a mild household cleaner, and give a brisk 15-20 strokes to the area using a nylon bristle brush. If these methods don't work, a cotton ball saturated with undiluted household bleach can be rubbed on the stain for up to two minutes, then thoroughly rinsed with water and dried. Beware that prolonged exposure to bleach will cause discoloration. Always follow your manufacturer's specific instructions.

 

Laminate Countertops - Advantages and Disadvantages

Advantages Disadvantages

Durable, easy to clean, water-resistant and relatively inexpensive. Laminate is available in a wide range of colors, textures, and patterns. “Postformed” laminate is molded and ready-made, though you can also have a custom or self-rimmed countertops built from scratch using a particleboard or plywood base. The custom look can be enhanced by the availability of numerous edging options. If you are handy and have the right tools you can install laminate countertops yourself but it is always best to get laminate countertops professionally installed.

Laminate is hard to repair and is vulnerable to scratching, chipping, and staining. Economical “Postformed” tops can look cheap. If edgings are used, they may collect water and grime even with careful cleaning. High-gloss laminates show every smudge. Conventional laminate has a dark backing that shows at its seams; new solid-colored laminates, designed to avoid this problem, are somewhat brittle and more expensive.

Laminate counters don’t add as much to the resale value of a house as do more expensive counters such as granite or marble.
 

Cost of laminates will vary from about $5-$20 per square foot.

GO TO TOP OF THE PAGE
 

Related Articles

Find natural stone contractors for granite flooring, granite countertop, or marble countertop projects. Granite Countertops
Silestone Countertops
Plastic Laminate Countertops
Corian Countertops
Ceramic Tile Countertops
Synthetic marble countertops