Laminate countertops what is
No sealing is ever required. Normal cleaning with mild soap and water is plenty to keep them looking their best. To properly care for laminate tops, there are just a few things to remember.
Keep knife edges and hot pans from contacting the countertop. Use cutting boards and hot pads or trivets to avoid damage from these items. Avoid using harsh cleansers with added abrasives as they have the potential to leave permanent scratches. Specialty cabinet retailers and local home centers offer huge design and color selections. Specially ordered laminate countertops can mimic the look of natural stone, quartz, marble, solid surface or any other look, in any color imaginable.
Laminate countertops are often installed by moderately skilled homeowners. Professional installation is commonly used only for difficult situations. The countertops are seamed together on-site at the corners which makes them easy to transport and maneuver into place. The seams are drawn together mechanically with special fasteners on the underside of the material. No special tools or adhesives are needed. Expect the seams to be visible for most styles.
No special reinforcement of the cabinets below is required due to their relatively lightweight. They can be purchased pre-cut, or as stock sizes to be cut on-site to fit. They are often specially built with sink cut-outs included. Modern undermount sinks can even be custom installed or DIY installed in some situations. Another option is to purchase just the decorative laminate sheet and adhere it with contact cement to custom-built shapes and sizes of substrate material.
With standard use, well taken care of laminate countertops will last about 15 years. Heavy use will dramatically shorten their lifespan. Nowadays this tried-and-true material comes in a wider array of designs than ever before, from beautiful solid colors to interesting wood looks with embedded texture to lovely stone patterns with a variety of finish options.
A combination of plastic and paper—interestingly, though, generally not recycled—and sometimes board. These materials are formed into a thin layer and colored or manufactured with naturalistic or textured designs. This layer is then laminated to particleboard or chip board. Laminate can also be used on a shop table or as a furniture surface. The key difference between high- and low-end laminates is generally the finish of the material. Higher-end products offer greater variety in luster or sheen and texture.
They also come in a broader range of colors. The cost of the laminate will be affected by whether or not there is a built-in backsplash and how high or low the backsplash may be. Prices of Formica countertops may vary depending on the color and pattern you select, as well as any customization and installation.
Formica countertops are easy to clean and maintain. The plastic resins make them resistant to stains and scratches. Unlike other types of countertops that may need special care to ensure long-lasting use, you only need water and soap to clean laminate countertops. However, they can be scratched if abrasive cleaners are used. Delamination is one of the problems with laminate countertops, especially due to water damage, which makes repairs difficult.
What are the kitchen design options for Formica countertops? Modern laminate countertops are available in hundreds of different styles, patterns, colors, and textures. New printing technology has enabled manufacturers to provide more realism and depth in choices. This makes Formica countertops one of the most flexible countertop options for any kitchen style. They also remain one of the most affordable types of countertops available with prices far below those for granite , quartz , tile, etc.
Laminates come in the widest selection too, with a large palette of colors, hundreds of patterns and designs, and now, textured surfaces too. The surface is solid, without pores, so a soapy washcloth or sponge is usually all that is needed.
Laminate seams can be hidden more easily than most countertop seams. Weaknesses: Laminate countertops can be more easily scratched than most surfaces so it is best to do any cutting in the kitchen on a cutting board.
Laminate is not as heat resistant as other surfaces so hot pans should not be placed on laminate countertops. In the bathroom, if you use hot hair tools, avoid setting them down hot on your laminate bathroom countertops.