Should You Choose a Granite or Laminate Counter for Your Kitchen?
When you're planning a kitchen remodel, one of the most critical decisions is what benchtop material to install. The counter provides the surface where you prepare and cook your meals. You may be are wavering between options such as granite or laminate. Consider the following points to help you decide which one to install in your home.
Cost
If you want to economise with the countertop, you might be better with laminate. If children live in your house, you won't have to stress about them ruining a more expensive granite benchtop. Plus, laminate is softer than granite, so it's less likely to break any plates or bowls that they accidentally drop on the counter. Laminate may be better also if you're thinking of selling your home soon, as you may not recoup the cost of a granite benchtop in the sale price of your property.
Beauty
If you're looking for the most beautiful option, you could install a gorgeous granite benchtop. Granite comes in a range of hues like grey, brown, yellow, gold, and green. Each unique benchtop displays organic patterns and textures that can't be replicated in machine-made materials.
On the other hand, laminate benches come in many colours and styles, and they can mimic other materials, including natural stone. Laminate consists of an inner board covered in decorative papers and hard plastic. The decorative papers provide the design. These papers can feature a photograph of natural stone, which is why laminate can so realistically emulate this natural material. Install a post-formed counter if you want to eliminate joins along the countertop edges. These benches consist of one piece of laminate that bends over the edges.
Wear and Tear
If you want to install a countertop that you won't have to replace for many years or even decades, you could install granite, which will typically last longer. Granite is more wear- and scratch-resistant. However, if you damage stone, it can be difficult to repair. With laminate, take care to use trivets and cutting boards to protect the counter when you're preparing food.
Installation
Laminate is lighter in weight than granite, which means that laminate is easier to install. Handling heavy stone slabs is tricky and requires great care. Plus, some cabinetry can need reinforcement to carry a stone countertop, whereas you won't have that problem with a lighter laminate counter. So laminate is typically quicker and cheaper to fit in custom kitchens.
Contact a company that installs custom kitchens to learn more.
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