Saturday 9 August 2008

Laminate Kitchen Countertops - Basic Information

Laminate kitchen countertops are probably the most widely used countertops in American homes today. Laminate countertops are made from several layers bonded together under heat and pressure and glued to particle board or plywood. Laminates have a high resistance to stains and heat but do not hold up quite as well to knives and abrasive surface as some other coverings.

Also available is a solid-core laminates which have a constant color and are close to regular laminate in price but do not have ugly black edges at joints so you are able to make more decorative edges and shapes. You can also purchase laminate with looks from stone to wood and patterns of all kinds.

It's the lowest priced material at $10-30 per square foot installed and 550-1700 dollars for an average size kitchen (average kitchen size is considered fifty-six square feet or twenty-three linear foot according to the Fabrication Network). It is also one of the top rated materials from Consumer Reports latest review of countertop materials scoring above good for everything except cutting and are excellent for their test in both stains and heat.

There are different grades of laminates so make sure you do not choose the cheapest ones because they are less resistant to scratches and abrasion then the higher priced ones and will end up costing you more in the long run when you have to replace them in half the time.

Kitchen countertops installations are never a beginner's DIY project but with some general experience in home remodeling projects and a good selection of tools you should be able to complete a laminate countertop installation without much of a problem. Laminate kitchen countertops should be cleaned with a mild detergent and a damp sponge. After you have your laminate countertops installed they should last for 10-15 years with proper care.

Hello I am Steven Tikas and I have a website dedicated to helping people make an informed and educated decision about kitchen remodeling. For more helpful information please check out my website kitchen countertop material or general kitchen remodeling information

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