In the constantly changing landscape of design trends, passé practices can eventually become fashionable once more if you wait long enough — like the
vintage kitchen décor trend
of brass hardware that’s experiencing a resurgence, or installing
retro kitchen appliances
However, certain elements will generally always reduce a home’s value. The Property Brothers—Jonathan and Drew Scott, popular twins from HGTV—stated in an article that laminated countertops typically belong to this category.
HGTV Magazine
.
A person constrained by a limited budget or handling their own kitchen renovation might find laminated countertops and comparable affordable options appealing.
peel-and-stick tile
, because of their smaller price tags and easy installation. While some imitation products do a good job of approximating the real thing, laminate counters often look like the budget option they are. Even laminates printed with patterns that mimic stone really just don’t look authentic. Drew Scott advised that if you do go with laminate, you should make it one of the stone prints — but choosing a higher-quality, more durable countertop material instead is always best.
When it comes to reselling your home, the kitchen can be a deciding factor, greatly affecting potential buyers’ choices. According to both Property Brothers, using laminates tends to reduce a house’s value instead of enhancing it. Additionally, Drew pointed out that laminate surfaces often lend an outdated appearance to rooms, reminiscent of the older Formica tops from the 1950s and 1960s.
Read more:
10 Creative Ways to Utilize Extra Butter Wraps in Your Kitchen
How Laminated Countertops Stack Up Against Competing Materials
On average, a laminate countertop will serve you for about 10 to 15 years before requiring replacement. This timeframe may shrink even further if it isn’t handled with care or adequately maintained. In sharp comparison, a granite countertop that’s well cared for has the potential to endure over a hundred years—yes, you heard correctly: more than 100 years. Although it might be unrealistic for someone to reside in one house for such an extended period, you would probably have to change out the laminate several times throughout your life span.
Laminate surfaces lack durability compared to materials like granite, quartz, soapstone, and concrete. Placing a hot pan directly onto laminate countertops may result in burning, warping, or melting. Additionally, these surfaces are prone to scratching and chipping. Water exposure can also be detrimental, potentially causing delamination which might necessitate replacing the entire counter top.
When natural stone exceeds your budget, solid surface (acrylic) countertops present an additional choice to think about. These offer a reasonable balance between expense—slightly higher than laminate yet considerably less costly compared to materials such as granite or quartzite. Similar to laminates, these surfaces are man-made; however, much like natural stones, they require safeguarding against immediate heat exposure. A key advantage over laminate is their resistance to scratches, plus they mimic the appearance of genuine stone quite well. With proper care, solid surface counters can last for approximately five decades.
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Original Article from Food Republic
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