The Sober Kitchen

If you are wanting to remodel your kitchen but don’t have the budget for expensive counter tops such as marble or granite counter tops, you need to consider Laminate Counter tops. Laminate counter tops are a cost effective, attractive, counter top solution to your remodel needs. Laminate counter tops are not the cheap vinyl counter tops of the past; they are now a sleek, durable, cost effective material that is very easy to maintain.

There are many design possibilities now available when it comes to laminate materials, they come in many colors and textures that will appeal to any home owner. They even are available in stone imitations that will impress all your friends. Laminate counter tops are growing in their popularity mostly because of their cost to durability ratio. They are easy to maintain and if you preserve them well they can last you well over 20 years. Some suppliers of laminate counters even offer upwards of 40 year guarantees on the product.

The counter tops are constructed from a plywood base or particleboard that extends across the top of  a cabinet. This plywood is then covered with the decorative laminate formica sheets using a specific adhesive, and then sealed. You can hire a professional to install the counter tops or if you are adventurous or savey with a circular saw you can tackle the project yourself. Hiring a professional will probably run you about $30 per linear foot. If you plan on doing the job yourself you can easily save yourself a couple hundred dollars in labor alone.

The key to preserving  your new investment is maintenance. You will need to watch for scratches and never cut or lay hot items directly onto the laminate counter top surface. Laminate will show scratches and scuffs on high glossy finishes will show these scuffs more then a matte finish where those scratches will show as part of the design of the laminate. If you encounter rough scratches or the scuffs are unbearable, you can repair and resurface the laminate for fraction of the cost to replace.

Cracks and burns are repaired with a specialized filler and sanded to fill in any rough damaged areas, then sprayed with a topcoat that gives the appearance of a brand new counter top. This process takes four to five hours and your kitchen will be ready to use the very next day.  So if you are interested in installing laminate counter tops in your kitchen or bath, talk to a counter top installer today and enjoy the benefits and longevity of your laminate counter tops for years to come.