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I have had Wilsonart Laminates (in a look-a-like granite) for 10 years. They are in fantastic shape and have held up very well. And they are used abused daily by teen-age boys fixing their own food
Jinxor, I'd love to hear what you decide to do! My kitchen sounds similar to yours & I'm trying to decide what improvements we can afford.
The problem with granite is that it doesn't add value to all homes. If you live in a starter home in a neighborhood where laminate is the norm, it'll be very hard to get your money back on that investment. That's why this is such a hard decision for some of us.
Jinxor, I'd love to hear what you decide to do! My kitchen sounds similar to yours & I'm trying to decide what improvements we can afford.
The problem with granite is that it doesn't add value to all homes. If you live in a starter home in a neighborhood where laminate is the norm, it'll be very hard to get your money back on that investment. That's why this is such a hard decision for some of us.
exactly! If I was to add granite, I would have to redue all my cabinets as well (would look funny to have plastic white cabinets with granite). That would cost me a fortune, yet my house is only worth about $240-$250k which is considered more of a starter home in my area (Leesville). So I would think I would have a hard time getting even 50% back in a few years if I sell.
Or you can just tile over the current countertops for a few hundred bucks probably. You could even do a granite tile which wouldn't look as good as slab but would still look sharp. I've seen a couple kitchens with granite tiles. Best was polished black granite with microscopic grout lines. Looked pretty good to me.
I put regular ceramic over some nasty laminite in a bathroom at our last house. Scuffed the laminate well, bought super mofo adhesive, and I could walk on the tiles without them coming loose. Not that you'd normally walk on your counter tops. I'm just saying.
Our old house in Florida had tile countertops, which were great because they resisted heat and scratches, etc. But when we went to replace our dishwasher we had a heck of a time! The previous owners had tiled over the old countertop and it basically sealed in the dishwasher. So if you do tile over the countertop make sure you're taking into account the fact that the dishwasher may need to come out some day!
Mrs. Steel--We replaced ours with laminate (a faux granite color). I can't fathom doing granite in a home in one of our neighborhoods--at least not the starters. I checked around with many, many local companies, and got quotes for laminate, solid surface, and granite, and laminate was BY FAR AND AWAY the cheapest option. Even then (because there is a LOT of counter space in my kitchen), laminate replacement wasn't cheap... but given the price range of my home, it made absolutely zero sense to install something 3x or more in cost. I don't think for a second that I'd get that money back. Besides, granite countertops would just give my vinyl floor an inferiority complex
I don't think for a second that I'd get that money back. Besides, granite countertops would just give my vinyl floor an inferiority complex
LOL! Ain't that the truth! Nevertheless, I'm considering getting quartz countertops - mainly just because I really enjoy cooking & it'd be nice to have a solid surface (but nothing as fancy as granite!). We may or may not get all of our money back on it, but maybe it'll result in a faster sale. Ya never know! These old oak cabinets need a lot of work first, though. Sigh!
Whatever became wrong with laminate countertops, anyway? I always liked mine -- smooth surface to work on, come in a wide array of colors, easy to take care of (as easy as anything else I've had, and easier than what I hear from my neighbor about her granite). I really like color in a kitchen, and laminate sure gives you an endless choice. I also like that it can actually mimic so many other things.
I've only had laminate and tile, and of the two, I almost like laminate better -- no grout to seal, or worry with, and I had better luck getting stains out of the laminate than out of the grout.
I have had neighbors who have granite, and they are not as crazy about them as what they thought they would be, initially. One did have a 'fake' granite she liked quite a bit? If she scratched the surface or something, it could be sanded-out? Anyone know what that was?
Oh, I don't think laminate is always a bad thing! It just depends on the laminate. The stuff I have now is awful, so I'd love to see the new stuff that's out there. Personally, I would far rather have a laminate countertop than a tile one. But that's just me.
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