Laminate VS Granite Countertops Showdown
Among the many essential components in the room is the kitchen countertop. Besides functioning as the cutting surface, a kitchen countertop also serves as the storage area and contributes to a room’s aesthetics.
People choose different materials to make their countertops, and the most frequently chosen materials are granite and laminate. While both have their positive and negative features, they are suitable materials to use on kitchen countertops.
Below is a detailed comparison between the two that will help you choose the ideal material for your kitchen countertop.
Appearance
Kitchen countertops made of granite have the natural stone. The materials used in making granite for kitchen countertops are a family of rocks like quartz, feldspar, and silica. Due to this wide range of options, granite countertops are available in an extensive range of patterns and colors.
Naturally, there are not even two stones with the same mineral composition since they vary in each of their slabs. Such a variation makes granite the most common material for countertops because it gives people the beauty and charm of granite. However, people looking for uniform countertops might have problems with this material.
When using granite for kitchen countertops, they can be flamed, honed, or polished to remove the surface particles, which tend to be weaker. This is done to give the material texture. Granite has various edge designs, making granite sinks easy to install in the different methods like the under-mounted way to achieve a clean look.
Laminate countertops, on the other hand, are made of a mixture of paper and wood products attached with resin and glue. Above the wood and paper products, plastic material is heated or laminated to attach itself to the wood particle.
The manufacturers dictate the color palette of laminated, and it is limited. Laminates are of different types and some are designed to look like other stones with repeating patterns adapted from other rocks, and some look like granite.
Due to their printed designs, they are regular and uniform than granite. While most sinks installed at lower costs should have a drop in sink installation, you might look for a manufacturer, and they can undercount your sink.
Installation
Most granite countertops are fabricated for your kitchen. After settling for a particular slab, the fabricator will make a template for your cabinets and cut a stone to fit the table. Two weeks after missing the template, the fabricator installs the stone.
Most granite counters are heavy and old cabinets might need plywood reinforcement to support the weight. However, new cabinets can keep the value of the granite during installation. Sinks mounted under the countertop are installed simultaneously, but there has to be a 24 hour time difference for the epoxy to cure before the plumber hooks it up.
Laminate countertops are more comfortable and faster to install compared to granite countertops. They are bought when cut or can be cut on the site to be installed faster. If the kitchen is small, the laminate countertop may be installed as a DIY project, but if the kitchen requires a lot of construction, a professional should be hired to install the installation.
Laminate countertops take a day to install and are faster than granite countertops, which take two weeks.
Resistance to heat
When exposed to heat, laminates melt or burn. Hot items, therefore, should never be placed on laminate countertops. Granite, on the other hand, is made of stone making it resistant to heat. Hot pans and pots can be placed directly on granite surfaces.
Hardness
Granite is a hard, dense stone with the ability to withstand all of the force. However, there are various types of granites, and all are different from the other. The most vital stones in the world are black granites and Gabbros.
There are other weaker granites- most of them are light in color. When being rated about strength, all granites are rated from A to D. Granites belonging to grade D should be installed with an underlay because they may break if they don’t have support. Alternatively, grade D granites can be used as overhangs to avoid breakage.
Laminates are made of wood and boards which have a printed surface on top. While they may not be as stringent as granite, they can be used without any support or as overhangs, and there should be no tensing of cracking or sagging.
Backsplash
Both laminate and granite countertops can be installed with a backsplash of similar material. With laminate countertops, the backsplash is formed in a piece with the counter- integral. Granite backsplashes have to be epoxied. You can choose not to have backsplashes on your countertop unless you are looking to use them as décor.
Sinks
The most popular choice for installing granite countertops on sinks is the undercounted method. Since laminates lack a finished edge, the most common form of an installation with laminate countertops is the drop-in method. However, some available laminate countertops can be used with the undercount method. The technique gives you a fabulous look but has to be carried out by a professional.
Durability
Both laminate and granite countertops are durable enough that they can withstand daily kitchen activities. However, the two differ in their long durability and to what extent they are durable.
Since laminate countertops are non-porous, they will not stain but will scratch and be damaged by water. On occasions where the edge is exposed to a lot of water, it might delaminate and end up peeling. However, there are kits used to repair laminate damages. On average, laminate countertops can last for approximately ten years.
Granite does not scratch easily, and on most occasions, it dulls a knife instead of scratching. However, granites made of light colors might etch if they are exposed to acidic substances like lemon juice. A surface that has undergone etching will become dull because the more refined part will have been removed.
Also, some granite types might stain. Therefore, it is essential to test the granite you intend to use on your countertop with the oil lemon test. If you realize the granite you have etches when it is too late, you should start taking good care of it. Granites last for an extended period as long as they are taken care of well.
Maintenance
Among the two, laminates require lesser maintenance. When using laminate countertops, users don’t have to use unique cleaning materials or sealing. If they mistakenly get scratched, there is a kit that can be used for repair. They can be cleaned anytime with any cleaner.
Granites require more maintenance, and some types may require even special maintenance. Besides using the oil lemon test to determine e whether you will choose a granite stone, you should always remember that lighter granite stones require more maintenance than granite stones that are rich in color.
Also, granite stones have to be sealed periodically to prevent stains from forming. If the water stops settling on the stone’s surface, theta calls for resealing. To avoid damaging the surface, granite stones should be washed with pH neutral cleaners. To avoid any extra maintenance, it is advisable to care for your granite countertop properly.
Overall value
Most minor and central kitchens using laminate countertops can get 65-80% of their initial investment. Granite countertops, on the other hand, add to the aesthetics and value of a home but will not return such a Hugh percentage of the initial investment.
Cost
Kitchen countertop surfaces can be expensive at times. Granite is a natural stone, and when sealed, it can last for a long time. This means the owner will not have to worry about maintenance costs like burns, stains, and scratches.
Laminate countertops are easily stained, burnt, and scratched. This means the owner has to replace the surface.