Phoenix Laminate Counters

Choosing a new kitchen countertop can be an overwhelming proposition. There are endless combinations of colors and materials to select from, each with their own advantages and disadvantages. No respectable kitchen professional would tell you that laminate is the best performing countertop material out there, but some might argue it's the most cost effective. At a fraction of the cost of other counters, a laminate counter in Phoenix may be the cost-cutting measure you need to fulfill the rest of your wish list for your Phoenix kitchen remodeling project.

Phoenix Laminate Countertop: Manufacturers and Product Lines
Though you should do your research on any countertop material, with laminate the stakes are even higher. A lower quality laminate will need to be essentially babied to keep from being destroyed by scratching and burning. Shiny laminates, in particular, are notorious for showing scratches and quickly dulling. Newer lines of laminate purport to be 40 percent stronger than previous laminate counters. Undoubtedly, if you're choosing a laminate counter, this is something to consider, but don't think this higher-quality laminate can compete with the durability and resilience of stone or solid surface counters.

Phoenix Laminate Counter Maintenance
Regardless of the manufacturer and the finish of your laminate counter, there are a few rules you'll need to adhere to keep your counter looking beautiful. The most important thing you can do is simply keep an eye on your counter when you're using it. Clean as you cook; don't let things that may stain sit on your counter. Don't set hot plates, pans, or pots directly on your counter, especially for any length of time. If your counter does become scratched or damaged, it can be repaired for a few hundred dollars, and any substantial damage should be dealt with promptly. Cracked laminate or laminate that is peeling away can allow water and other substances to get beneath it, causing the counter to delaminate and become completely ruined.

Phoenix Laminate Counter Installation
Though it's by no means a DIY project, laminate counters are substantially easier to install than other countertop options. This helps to reduce the cost of the project, but it will also dramatically reduce the time. As opposed to a few weeks, you're much more likely to see the project completed in a single week, including the time it takes for ordering and delivering the laminate. Many homeowners find this shortened installation time especially important during an already lengthy kitchen remodel, as the weeks of pizza and take-out begin to mount.

Most countertop professionals should have little trouble with a quality installation, but you may still want to be present during the project or at least go over some of the details of the work so you know what to expect from the finished project and the contractor knows what you expect, particularly with post-job clean up.

Cost of Laminate Counters in Phoenix, AZ
The average cost of a laminate counter installation in Phoenix, or anywhere else, is about $1,300. This is compared to $4,000 and $5,000 for solid surface and stone counters, respectively. As you can see, though laminate must be carefully maintained and still has little chance of lasting as long as these other counters, this is what enables laminate manufacturers and some kitchen professionals to argue that laminate is still the most cost-effective countertop material. Don't get too focused on these averages. Just with recent Phoenix countertop projects, we've seen laminate counters installed for as little $800 and as high as $5,000. You won't really know how much your countertop is going to cost, or which material may be best for your home, until you start talking to local Phoenix countertop companies and contractors.