Pros and Cons of Formica Countertops
Are formica countertops worth the price? Formica is quite durable and looks nice but is it really worth the amount of money you will have to spend on it? Well that is up to each individual to decide, and the price can fluctuate greatly depending on the edge style, pattern, backsplash and installation costs. This article will break down the pros and cons of having Formica laminate countertops in your home, while answering common questions and helping you to make an educated decision before installing laminate countertops in your home.
Formica is a brand of laminate countertop that has been around since 1913 and was originally located in Cincinnati Ohio. Since that time pretty much every home in America has had some form of Formica countertop or flooring unless the homeowners had the money to spend on an expensive countertop surface like granite, marble, stone or concrete. Over the years formica has been able to replicate many of the natural stones that you would see in homes such as granite, but made them much more affordable for the average homeowner to install in their home.
Some of these amazing Formica colors mirror looks that you would see in nature such as stone, granite and butcher block countertops. However, some reflect modern man-made colors and textures. The colors of formica countertops range from metallic silver, blacks and whites to many of the bright colors of Art Deco. If you can imagine a color or design, chances are there is a laminate countertop to fit your taste.
On the downside, formica countertops are not quite as durable as granite countertops, corian countertops or concrete countertops. Not only are formica countertops not as durable, but they are not as easy to clean or to keep clean. If you do happen to get your formica countertops dirty, they can be cleaned with mild soap and water, or if it is a scuff, mark, stain or moisture ring you can try baking soda and other mild household cleaners. You must be careful when cleaning your countertops with abrasive cleaning agents. Using too abrasive of a pad may scuff, mark, and damage your Formica countertops often times wearing down its finish causing them too look dull and old. Formica countertops are also easy to cut and scratch, unlike solid surface counters like granite and concrete, for this reason it is good to remember that you must protect your tops from cutlery and sharp objects. Laminate countertops are not extremely resistant to heat either, so if you plan on putting any hot pan or dish on them as they will burn leaving permanent marks that cannot be removed without a lengthy repair process.
So reviewing some of these pros and cons of laminate countertops you may be able to come to your own conclusion of whether or not Formica brand laminate countertops are for you and your home. With a price tag of about $7-$20 per square foot, it is really hard to beat the price and ease of installation of laminate countertops. If you have the money and want to spend about 70 to 100 Dollars per Sq. foot, then by all means install granite in your home.
Filed Under Formica Countertop |
Tagged With
Comments
10 Responses to “Pros and Cons of Formica Countertops”
Leave a Reply
Is there a way of doing a sink mounted from under the counter top using laminant ????
I like laminate countertops, have it in my kitchen. It’s not looking same as a natural stone of course, but at least it’s cheap enough and very easy in maintenance.
I put a hot serving dish on top of a pot holder but it still dulled the finish of my laminate countertops. I have the Labrador Granite Etchings Finish. Any ideas to bring the shine back.
Thanks
I had formica countertop installed professionally in my kitchen 3yrs. Iam very disappointed. There are white specks coming thru the countertop. I have had Formica in the past and never had a problem. I have contacted the contracter and was told there is nothing he can do.please reply and let me know what can be done.Formica # 3687-77 Autumn Indian Slate
Is it possible to glue new formica over an existing formica counter to eliminate having an entire new counter top made? Is there a way to have an under mount sink?
Depending on the particular application it is “possible” to glue formica over existing laminate countertops. However, it is always better to remove the old before installing the new. Make sure that the existing top is not coming up in any of the corners or edges. Take rough sandpaper and scuff up the old top allowing better glue adhesion. As far as an undermount sink, I have not seen this with laminate. It can probably be done, however the edging of laminate will not keep water from getting under the laminate formica countertop around the sink opening, therefore causing water damage to your countertops over time. It you decide to undertake this project and successfully mount an undermount sink to your formica countertops, please email us pictures so we can see how it turns out!
We had Formica counter tops installed about 4 years ago. The counter top has cracked at both front corners of the cook top. Formica sent a rep out to inspect the damage and report to the company. Formica refused to repair the counter top, responding that the counter top was installed improperly. Here’s the rub…Formica trains and certifies the companies that install Formica. How is a customer of Formica and its rep supposed to know if the work meets Formica’s standards? Think twice before using Formica. Email me if you want to see a picture of the kind of issue you may be facing. My only option is to file small claims suit in hopes of getting some help from this company.
I have formica tops in the kitchen that was installed in 2002. The counter tops have a smooth finish. What type of cleaning agent do I use to clean the tops with, as a section is dull and rough.
What can I do, please help
I put a hot pan on my laminate countertop and it had dull areas that I could see in the light.
Nothing I did helped remove the blotches.
Then I put some ceramic stove top cleaner on it, which is a white liquid put out by COOK TOP and it removed the blotches. My wife was elated!!!
I am having a new Formica top in my kitchen. I have chosen Formica Butterum Granite. But I have two choices Matte or Etching. I want to know the durability of the Etching and if after some use it will dull like a Matte finish, in which order I should order Matte, but I like the sparkle. Has anyone had trouble with the finish on their shinier Formica tops