When building or remodeling a kitchen, laminate countertops can be appealing to some budget-conscious homeowners because they’re inexpensive, relatively easy to install and available in a range of colors and patterns.

Will the decision to install laminate countertops come with regret? Is this a case of “you get what you pay for?”

Let’s consider some of the main problems with laminate kitchen countertops that renovators often run into:

1. DURABILITY ISSUES

Not everything that’s inexpensive is cheap, but compared to stone kitchen countertops, laminate countertops are cheap.

Laminate countertops are made from layers of paper and resin, meaning they scratch or chip easily.

They’re also more susceptible to heat than most stone countertop options. Placing a hot pan directly on a laminate countertop often results in bubbling, discoloration or even permanent burn marks.

2. MOISTURE PROBLEMS

With laminate countertops, water can seep into the seams of edges, causing the underlying particleboard to swell and warp.

Over time, edges may start to lift and peel, especially close to sinks.

3. LIMITED REPAIR OPTIONS

Unlike stone countertops, laminate is very difficult to repair once damaged.

Chips, burns and deep scratches often mean replacement rather than repair and if that’s the case, then the advantage of laminate countertops being less expensive is out the window.

4. LOWER RESALE VALUE

These days many homebuyers view laminate as a budget option, which can make a kitchen feel less high-end compared to options like quartz or granite countertops.

According to the National Association of Realtors, 55% of consumers say a good kitchen could convince them to buy a home they otherwise wouldn’t. The reverse is also true, in that the same amount of people would pass on a home that they felt had a sub standard kitchen.

One of the ways you can make your kitchen a thing of beauty is to go with quality stone countertops.

5. SHORTER LIFESPAN

With heavy use, laminate countertops typically only last around 10–15 years, much less than stone alternatives which generally last around 20-25 years.

So would you rather pay $$$ once or $$ twice?

6. DESIGN LIMITATIONS

While modern laminates can sometimes mimic stone quite well, up close they lack the depth and authenticity of natural stone materials mainly because their seams are usually visible, unlike seamless options such as quartz, granite or porcelain.

So when it comes to your kitchen, don’t just go with the lower initial cost, because it could end up costing you much more in the long run by having to replace it sooner or having a hard time getting top dollar for your home sale.

Kirkstone Countertops is a leading supplier of quality stone kitchen countertops within the Niagara Region.

Our quality stone can also be used for other applications such as backsplashes, bathrooms and fireplaces.