Kitchen remodel: granite vs laminate counter tops?

Question

We had originally settled on white/gray granite countertops for our kitchen renovation, but at 78 per square foot with 65 square feet of space to cover, the potential cost savings of laminate have me curious. Hesitant, but curious.

We originally loved the look of real carrera marble, but were told it was extremely porous. Then wilsonart carrera marble caught my eye.

What are your experiences with laminate vs granite? Granite is definitely not out of the question. But I'm feeling so tempted to save some money!

Answer 1

Laminate Vs Granite

Answer 2

Yes, marble and granite are porous, and no good stone supplier would suggest marble for a kitchen, because it is much more porous than granite. (Marble is okay for baths.) Yes, both need to be sealed regularly. However, while some spills will leave marks, all can be mitigated. For instance, red wine stains on a light granite can be removed by using a poultice (professionals only.) However, if you are the patient type, the stain will eventually sink through the stone and disappear from the surface.

The bigger problem is etching. Acids (citrus juices, alcohol, sodas, etc.) will etch the surface of a polished stone if not wiped up in a timely manner. It takes the stone people coming to re-polish the surface to fix it.

Stone will always be cold, so you have to be very careful not to set hot dishes or pans on it. Pyrex or glass cooking dishes can shatter, and metal pans will warp. Too, it you are serving a buffet, unless the food dishes are on trivets, hot food will not stay hot long.

That said, potential buyers see stone countertops as a value item. If there is a chance you will be selling the house in the next 5-10 years, buyers will see laminate countertops as a cheaper material and something that they will have to pay to have replaced, cutting into their offer to you.

Concrete is just as expensive as stone in most parts of the country, glass is seen as being too delicate, and while tile is a hard wearing surface, people don't like dealing with the grout.

Perhaps the better alternative is a quartz product. It will cost almost as much as granite, but because it is ground granite particles in a resin base, it won't require sealing and it won't be as cold to the touch.

Answer 3

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Answer 4

If you can afford granite, why not consider either a maple or oak butcher block counter top? Even, believe it or not, concrete/cement with recycled glass is a great alternative to granite. Many kitchen designs that feature an island are made of a different counter top surface than the rest of the kitchen, so that could be a possibility for you?



Of all the people and clients I know, not everyone loves the granite. Some really wanted and installed granite, just to regret it later, due to upkeep and that it is such a cold and hard surface.

Answer 5

Just one thing to add: if you do get laminate tops, be sure that they are well sealed, both underneath and anywhere they have been cut, like for an inset sink or hotplates.

Friends of mine had an expensive kitchen fitted with attractive laminate tops, but they were inadequately sealed underneath, where the laminate finished. When water got under, the board swelled and split at the edge. Turned out the underlying board was made of two separate pieces, and when they expanded the laminate edge tore in a straight horizontal line where they joined. Neither supplier nor installer would accept

responsibility, saying that the cause was water laying on the worktop. Friends are now pursuing a claim for replacement or compensation. If they had known this weakness, it would not have been difficult to ensure a proper seal before installation.

Answer 6

Personally, I prefer laminate. Warmer, less chance breaking or denting kitchen or dropped dishware and easier and cheaper to maintain, a lot more colors available. It is easy to protect counter top by placing wooden trivets or potholders down and hot pots on that.



Granite can be ruined with a vinegar (acid) spill not wiped up. Granite is a fad. In a few years, it will be something else.

Answer 7

Go to a starbucks or similar to see how laminate granite looks. At all costs, avoid the common countertops with a raised lip. This may keep "marbles" from rolling off but it will turn your surface into a lake. The selection I see locally is poor but other configurations can be ordered and not at extra cost. The critical part of installation is the joint ( in an L-shaped kitchen). If liquid gets in to the laminate it will swell and crumble. Otherwise, it will wear well. In terms of resale value, granite might be worth the investment.

Answer 8

Marble & granite are porous. You gotta seal & reseal them and even then there's no guarantee.

A very dark granite, maybe, but a light one, no way. Have seen everything from bird guano to hair conditioner leave their permanent mark, not to mention spaghetti sauce.



I too, love the look of many marbles & granite's (especially the random pattern ones),

and there's the cold hardness that laminates cannot provide, but for the same cost, You get one granite to 3-4 laminates.



Update: I have never been fooled by laminate being anything other than laminate.

Answer 9

Go to a home center or even a professional kitchen place and look at the laminates they have. Some are both attractive and durable and definitely chapter than granite.



There are also artificial kinds of “stone” that are very attractive and durable.



Granite is durable and good looking. It is clearly the high status countertop if having a trophy kitchen is important to you. And you will pay through the nose for it.

Answer 10

I recommend granite! Dark granite looks wonderful but will show dust. A mottled granite with white, beiges, specks of black like Santa Cecilia will hide a multitude of sins. I've had granite in all my homes over 30 years, never cracked, stained or gave me any problems. Every once in a while, I spray granite sealer on it and wipe it off. On other days just wipe and dry. I forget and do put hot pots on it every once in a while, but no cracking. It is also great if you love to bake! That cool surface is great for rolling out dough or making cookies. Your best bet is to check for smaller local granite dealers, they are usually cheapest and you can bargain them down.



I don't recommend laminate! It's terrible, it warps, burns easily, stains very easy and require hard scrubbing if you get tea, wine or coffee stains on it. If water gets in the edges somehow (and it will over time) it's done. It will crack, warp and look lousy. Plus the edges of it give it away. Nothing looks like or performs like real stone, I also would not spend good money on pseudo countertop surfaces like Corian etc, I have seen them yellow in a few years and get dull.

Answer 11

Even if I felt like spending on granite, I'd get laminate anyway. It's so easy to look after. All you really have to do is not set really hot pots on it and don't use it as a chopping board. No stain is hard to remove from it. It really needs no care except wiping it off..

Answer 12

Granite looks nice, but you have to seal it, And you have to maintain it, which means sealing again. Granite countertops are beautiful. They are also work. A pro to granite tops is, they don't melt and look ugly if you put a hot pan down on them.

Laminate tops are easy to maintain, just a quick wipe with disinfectant and you can use them again.

Answer 13

Even if I felt like spending on granite, I'd get laminate anyway. It's so easy to look after. All you really have to do is not set really hot pots on it and don't use it as a chopping board. No stain is hard to remove from it. It really needs no care except wiping it off.

Answer 14

Before you decide, check out quartzstone countertops. Super durable, impervious to stains and cuts and gives a similar look to granite. Forget marble entirely--just not suited to a kitchen.

http://www.homedepot.com/b/Kitchen-Countertops-Backsplashes-Countertop-Samples/Quartz/N-5yc1vZc3boZ1z0u6mr you can check it out here. It's regarded as the most maintenance free countertop available, better than granite, laminate, or any kind of marble. The $9.98 price you see if for a sample piece. The actual countertop is one big piece of quartz, just like granite or marble would be.

Answer 15

Stone over laminate definitely. Stone looks better, stone is more durable, and stone increases the value of your kitchen. Believe it or not places like home Depot DO offer affordable granite countertops.

Answer 16

There is no laminate top that will fool anybody. Granite is beautiful but is scary expensive and nowhere near as durable as the guy in the showroom tells you.

Oak?

Answer 17

Look at some of the composite counter tops. The 'corriane' is great, the crushed glass is another option, then there is cement. There are so many different ones these days that are much more affordable. And did you know granite requires a lot of care?

Answer 18

I know, not everyone loves the granite. Some really wanted and installed granite, just to regret it later, due to upkeep and that it is such a cold and hard surface.

Answer 19

You can make a frame on the top of your counter and use concrete. I know your probably like WHAA? but really, its way cheap and you can dye the concrete by adding the dye to the mix before pouring it, make it look marbled and do so many looks with it and its durable. Check into it at the very least.

Answer 20

granite is an investment and worth saving for to get it...it is strong and duriable...worth the investment



the other is old school and would have to be replaced once again years down the road...



granite is worth price checking in your area.

Answer 21

Not sure if it is still available, but my old house had stainless steel covering the countertops. You could set pots of any temperature on it, with NO damage of any kind.