Expensive countertop materials like granite and quartz might get the bulk of the attention in home design books and magazine spreads, but they are far from the only options available for homeowners embarking on a kitchen renovation. In fact, the number of lower-cost alternative countertop materials is continuing to expand, according to Chris Fuller. Fuller is the owner of Kitchen Bath & Glass Center, where he serves as a kitchen remodeling expert located in Melbourne, FL. Among the best low-cost countertop alternatives is Formica, says Fuller, which gives homeowners a nice, clean look without costing a lot.
Formica is such as well-known brand that many people confuse it with laminate—which is the name for the generic countertop material that Formica has become famous for using. Despite Formica’s relatively low cost, other brands offer laminate-style countertops even cheaper. And just because a client wants to use laminate as the countertop material in a remodel job doesn’t mean he is forced to use the Formica brand. Several other brands such as Wilsonart, for example, offer laminate surface countertops at varying prices. It would definitely be worthwhile to do a little price comparison before deciding on a specific laminate countertop material or brand for your kitchen remodel, since prices can fluctuate depending on the seller.
The Benefits
The greatest benefit to going with a laminate countertop, as opposed to granite or quartz, is cost. Fuller says laminate will almost always be the most cost-effective countertop material for people looking to remodel theirs on a budget. And especially for his clients interested in kitchen remodeling in Melbourne, FL, staying on budget is important. “If you choose to put in a Formica countertop rather than a granite or quartz, then overall you would probably save around $600 or $700, or maybe even $800, on a normal bathroom countertop vanity,” says Fuller. “And that savings could end up being even more for kitchen surfaces, which tend to be larger.”
The Downside
The greatest downside of choosing with a material like laminate for a kitchen countertop is that it might not last quite as long as some of the more costly options like granite and quartz. “In general, I would say that most of these laminate surfaces have about a 10- to 12-year lifespan,” says Fuller, “and then that’s about it.”
Besides the shorter lifespan, however, Fuller says there are few downsides to choosing a laminate countertop. While Formica might not look as high end as granite or quartz, he says it remains a great deal for the price. “It is what it is,” he says. “People have to accept that.”
Brands that offer laminate countertops, such as Wilsonart and Formica, usually charge around $15 to $20 per foot. Compared to granite countertops, which run anywhere from $40 to $60, laminate countertops are a much cheaper option. “When you look at the actual numbers, you can really see how much you’d be saving,” Fuller says. “Those price differences show you the general difference in how much you can save by going with a less expensive laminate material when remodeling a kitchen rather than a pricier material like granite, marble, or quartz.”
Whatever material you end up choosing, Fuller recommends doing your homework and looking at what prices are being offered by various retail outlets. At Kitchen Bath & Glass Center, he says he is able to offer his clients who are interested in kitchen remodeling in Melbourne, FL, great prices due in part to the fact that he knows the area so well and has worked in the industry for such as long time. Because when it comes to handling an expensive project like a kitchen renovation, it’s worthwhile to work with someone who has been in the business for years and knows what he is doing.
