Laminate vs. Other Materials:
Laminate is distinctly different from other types of countertop materials:
- Solid Surface vs. Laminate – If the laminate is ever confused with another countertop substance, it’s usually what we call solid surface. Solid surface (i.e., Corian, etc.) is solid all the way through. Laminate is typically cheaper than the solid surface and somewhat easier to fabricate. Between the two, I would choose solid surface.
- Quartz vs. Laminate – Stone can be either slab of natural stone or quartz (engineered stone made from stone particles bound by adhesives into slabs). In either case, the stone is solid all the way through, unlike laminate with its particleboard base. Stone is vastly more expensive than laminate and is difficult to fabricate and install. Between quartz and laminate, I would choose quartz. Between natural stone and laminate, it’s a toss-up, as I do not relish maintaining my countertops by regularly sealing them.
- Tile vs. Laminate – Tile, either ceramic or stone, is a little like laminate in that it is a thin layer installed on a wood base. The difference is that tile’s base will usually by plywood, whereas laminate’s base is particleboard. Tile counters are comparable to laminate in cost. The main downside of tile counters is the huge number of seams. Between tile and laminate, I would choose laminate.
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