Quartz vs Laminate Countertops

There are many types and styles of countertops that a person who is remodeling their kitchen or bathroom can choose from to match their home's aesthetic. Laminate, granite, quartz, marble, and butcher block are among the most common. Each one has its pros and cons. This can make it hard to choose which material would be the best one for the countertops. There are a lot of things that need to factor into the decision on which one to choose. Let us take a look at two different types of countertops, laminate, and quartz and their pros and cons to help decide which one to use for the countertops. 

Maintenance 

Both Laminate countertops and quartz countertops are easy to maintain for the most part. Neither one of them need to be sealed or refinished during their lifetime of use. All it takes to maintain them is to wipe them down with a mild dishwashing liquid and water as it is needed, such as when there is a mess. The key to the of both of them maintenance wise is keeping them stain and scratch-free. It is recommended that spills are wiped up immediately on both to keep them from staining. It is especially important to do this with laminate as it will stain faster than quartz. Laminate countertops will scratch easily and can have chunks gouged out of them fairly easily. So extra care has to be taken with laminate when it comes to items that can scratch the countertop. Laminate cannot be simply refinished to make it look new again. The countertops would have to be replaced if it gets scratched very much or if it gets gouged. 

Durability

Laminate countertops are highly stain and heat resistant. They will become damaged if a pot or pan is set on it for any length of time straight off of the skillet. This means that the person will need to make sure that they use a hot pad or trivet in practice when placing anything hot on the countertop. The durability of quartz is unequal to laminate. Quartz countertops are made to be naturally resistant to heat, stains, and scratches. It is still a good idea to use a hot pad or a trivet when placing something hot on the countertop. Quartz countertops can become scratched or get burn marks but it is harder for them to acquire them. This makes quartz more desirable for countertops in a busy kitchen with kids or that a lot of cooking or baking is done. 

Color and Style

Laminate is particle board with layers upon layer of either paper or plastic on sheets of kraft paper and bonded with resin under high heat. Therefore, the person can have whatever design they would like to have for their countertop. The person can get it to mimic any other kind of material that they want it to look like. It can be whatever color that they would like it to be. Quartz countertops are made and each piece can look different in colors or the veining. Quartz countertops can look like other countertop materials. The color can vary from bright white to a very dark color. 

Fabrication and Installation

When it comes to weight laminate is a lot lighter than quartz. Since it is lighter it gives the buyer the chance to install the countertop themselves. If they do not feel that they can install it then there is the option of having it installed for them which is recommended. Quartz countertops should be done by professionals as it is a heavy material. They use a huge slab of quartz to cut the countertop out of. They use a template of what the countertop looks like so that they get it cut correctly. To make sure that it is installed properly the person should have it professionally installed for them. 

Cost

The cost difference that there is between quartz and laminate can be quite significant. Depending on the quality of the quartz it can nearly three times the price. The price per square foot of laminate is $15 up to $50. You may also need a piece of trim for the laminate countertop. This can either be wood or usually metal. This will cost at least another $5 a yard for the metal piece. Quartz will cost between $55 and to $155 per square foot. Then the person will need to have either the laminate or the quartz professionally installed that will cost more money. One thing to keep in mind is that after a few years the laminate will need to be replaced. Quartz countertops do not need to be replaced unless the person is remodeling and wants to replace them. 

Making the Right Choice

One of the most important factors when making the decision on which one to use is the lifestyle of the person and the budget that they have to spend on countertops. Laminate countertops are more budget-friendly than quartz due to the cost factor. Laminate countertops take a little more care than quartz countertops to make it last longer. The main question with quartz does it fit into the budget or not. Although to figure that out take the price of the material, the cost of installation, and divide by how long it will be in the house. That will give the buyer the true value of quartz. Quartz is more durable than laminate so that should make a difference in the choice. The quality of the materials is reflected in the price of the material that is used. Quartz countertops will help to increase the sale price of the home when it is on the market for sale. 

Laminate countertops can be made to look similar to other materials, such as granite, marble, or concrete, and comes in a variety of different colors. Quartz countertops can be engineered to resemble other materials and it comes in a variety of different colors and different styles. Many different factors need to be considered when choosing which material the person will want. There are looks, durability, ease of maintenance, cost of the materials with installation, and the value that is added to the resale value of the home when sold. This means that looking over all of the points of each material to see which one will be worth the time and effort. It will all come down to which one the person likes the best and which one fits their budget the best.