We
can help you get the look you are after. When planning to replace
or install new countertops in your home or office, there are a
variety of options.
Colors
There are hundreds of different
laminate countertops colors to choose from with each color having it's
own variety of finishes that can be ordered making your counters truly
unique to you. We even have formica laminate countertops that look like
granite. Come visit us and we will be happy to show them to
you.
Finishes
The finish is the texture that coats the top
of the laminate. Companies have their own unique finishes and are
constantly coming up with new finishes. Different finishes dictate
different price levels. Common textures you might hear of are: Matte,
Gloss and Radiance just to name a few. Not all finishes are available
with all colors.
Profiles
This is the shape of
the front nose of your countertop. Common profiles are bullnose , ogee,
square edge and bevel edge. All profiles come with or without back
splash.
Measurements
Make a sketch of your
kitchen or bath cabinets with the measurements included. For a
cost estimate, the new cabinets need not be in place.
To
place an order, all the cabinets need to be firmly in place
and then you or your contractor can take final measurements. If
your walls or corners are out of square, you will need to make a
template of the cabinets. We can explain the process to you or
your contractor.
Four reasons to love your laminate countertops
Consumer Reports News: February 25, 2013
Some
home buyers turn up their noses at laminate kitchen counters but
laminate has its advantages. For starters, the counters are easy to
maintain and in Consumer Reports' tests of 14 materials, laminate
resisted stains, heat, and impact almost as well as materials that cost
much more. And they come in a wide variety of colors and designs.
The foodies
on Chowhound have an ongoing debate over whether they should
openly embrace their love of laminate. Here's why it might work for you.
The
price is right. Laminate is inexpensive and usually costs a lot
less than most other materials. Look at the largest samples
available and try them out in your kitchen. The Design
Center on Formica's website invites you to design your own kitchen
so you can see what the counters would look like. Keep in mind that
unlike pricier materials, laminate can be replaced at a fraction of the
cost.
They last. Countertops take a lot of wear and tear so
you'll want some idea of how they'll age before choosing a material. In
Consumer Reports' countertop tests we stained, sliced,
scratched, scorched, and nicked 14 materials from leading brands and
found enormous differences in materials but little variation among
brands. That's why we rated materials, not brands. Stains and heat
weren't a problem for laminate in our tests, but it was easily scratched
by knives and isn't repairable so if you choose it, always use a
cutting board.
It's not granite. For years some have
predicted that granite was on its way out, saying it's been overused and
will become as outdated as avocado green appliances. But the NAHB study
showed that granite countertops are as desirable now as they were in
2007. On the up side, while granite became more popular, laminate got
better looking. Formica's new Anniversary Collection features
12 graphic patterns with a mid-century modern flair, including
Dotscreen's microdots and Halftone's printing screen vibe.
It's
lost its edge. Cool colors and patterns have been added but until
recently that ugly dark line along the laminate countertop edge
remained. Formica loses the dark seam by adding a decorative
edge. The bullnose is rounded at the top and bottom while the ogee edge
has an S-shaped curve. Wilsonart also offers decorative edges
for its laminate countertops and integrated sinks are also an
option.
Before you start shopping, look at
our countertop Ratings and think about the pros and cons of
each material. Once you choose, have the fabricator take the final
measurements—and responsibility for their accuracy. Your contract should
list counter thickness and finish, as well as fees for sink and faucet
cutouts, edges, back splash, and removal of the old counters.
If
you're considering counters for a remodeling project, see Consumer
Reports guides to updating your kitchenand remodeling your
bathroom.
—Kimberly Janeway
