thanks florantha for your thorough response..

it makes me feel like i'm not insane for not wanting go down the mined stone route. of course there are many reasons, yes its expensive, i don't like the idea that it is porous, that it needed to be mined thus damaging a natural habitat, and who knows how long it will be trendy, which is a problem esp after paying that much money.

its hard to believe that putting stone in a home raises its value- its not like you are adding a room! i think most people are looking for kitchens that are in good condition and are aesthetically pleasing..we bought our home because we felt the location and layout works for us. would someone buy or pay more for a home that doesn't work for them but has granite?

Sing it, sister Fori!

Have you considered stainless counters? They're maintenance-free plus you can put hot pans on them. I think they're probably the easiest counters that exist - and they don't require petroleum byproducts to look good or stay sealed.

(I have no idea of the relative noxious-production footprint of stainless or copper or zinc vis-a-vis formica plastic, though.)

I feel the same way about formica as I do about plastic furniture. Cheap, easy to maintain, light, easy to use,lasts forever... but do you want it in your living room?

Whups, I meant Florantha! (sorry)

Susy, there are many folks who don't like granite for perfectly valid reasons (I think it's ugly and way too cold for where I live, for instance), so try not to feel pressured by the shelter magazines that tout nothing but stone and stainless appliances. Like anything else, these are fashions that will wane and rise in cycles. In stone, one can already see a shift away from the "wild" granites that came into vogue with gaudy AmeriTuscan kitchens towards softer vintage soapstones and slates.

Choose what makes sense for your life and functional needs.

pharaoh, your point is well taken, IF the kitchen is also the living room.

My kitchen is definitely NOT the major living space, it is the cooking space. The good furniture, good food, good living is elsewhere in my house. There isn't much plastic in my life, but the countertops are indeed plasticky. Ironic, I suppose. Glad there are no kitchen police to trip me up on my inconsistency.

Absolutely not forbidden. Here's a recent new kitchen reveal by Kellied featuring a lovely laminate counter.

Here is a link that might be useful: Kellied's new kitchen

I said it before on here re: granite and marble... I don't want to have that much invested in any one thing that I'm not married to.

Although, I do have to say that I've become very fond of looking at Rainforest Green granite. It's so beautiful. I can see why people like it, I just don't think it's for me lifestyle-wise. Go with what works for you, I say!

Absolutely nothing wrong with choosing formica or some other laminate. There are a multitude of countertop materials because there are a multitude of tastes and desires and needs and budgets for different families and their kitchens.

I chose a natural stone in my kitchen for my own reasons, but put laminate in my laundry room to keep the cost down. I would have taken formica in my kitchen in a heartbeat over the vile tile countertop I was living with before my reno started!

I've grown up with laminate countertops like many of the rest of us have, and it's a durable and versatile option, and I'd say overall good solid value for the money. Don't let anyone tell you it's a bad decision. Get in the habit of using a trivet and a cutting board if you're not already and it'll probably be as good as new in 20 years! Or if you tire of it you can change it out to give your kitchen another mini face lift without breaking the bank!

Suzy, when I was researching countertops, I came to the following conclusion: There is NO perfect material. Perhaps this is obvious to you, but it wasn't to me. It is not simply a tradeoff of money vs. quality. Rather, you need to pick the attributes you value (and factor in the price, of course).

I am not going to weigh in on which material is most friendly to the earth (because, frankly, I don't know). However, I am confused why you say that Formica is not "mined from the earth." Do you think the petrochemicals used to make Formica fell as rain into the Formica factory?

'Rainforest Green granite. It's so beautiful.'

aaahh yes! that's one I love also. If I didn't drop things so easily and often I might be tempted to put that in my bathroom! BUT, I DO drop things easily and often. I don't want glass breaking around me - it's dangerous and I'd have to clean it up. I'm accident prone too! I'm just safer w/o it.

I had laminate (new at the time) raising 4 kids - very used kitchen! by the time I moved from there about 13 yrs later there was 1 cut in it about an inch long AND I don't think the kids did that - I think my X did! Of course, no one would admit to it...

I never had a problem with hot pans /pots. I used a burner not in use or a trivet! I did a lot of cooking/canning back then also.

Go with what you want, fits your house and you can comfortably afford. The new laminates that look like stone are much more expensive. I think they are at least double what the older, plainer ones are.

going w/laminate now might mean that 5 or 10 yrs from now you will be able to afford to change it if you see/find something else you like better - or just to change the decor. Putting thousands into granite would make it a lifetime purchase for me - lol!

I think alot are afraid to admit it but I for one have grown tired of granite. Seems laminate cabinetry is all the rage in Europe so why shy from formica?

Susy, I'm having the same dilemma as you are. So here are some of my thoughts on this...

The only green kitchen remodel is NO kitchen remodel. But I can't do that! (My kitchen is falling apart.) What we CAN do is make the most responsible decisions we can, with respect to the earth (all the materials for a reno have come from Mother Earth at some stage), our family's lifestyles, budget, and aesthetics.

That said, I didn't really want a hard, cold surface for all my countertops, either. I'm not sure whether to go with formica or recycled paper for my perimeter counter. (RecycleTop is the product I'm considering, but it's rather expensive, so I'd have to go thinner than with formica.) So I'm right there with you, and wish you good luck with your decision.

If environment is the primary concern and u are already prepared to use trivets or other for hot pans, look for companies that make sustainable wood counters. Will it be as inexpensive as formica? I don't know.

Here is a link that might be useful: Bamboo Counters

Or...recycled glass countertops...

Here is a link that might be useful: Glass Countertops

Well, for me, I didn't want anything that wasn't "real" in our new house. In our first house that we built in the mid-nineties, we had laminate countertops, vinyl flooring in the kitchen, and the cabs were some sort of white laminate as well. I hated the way those materials felt. We slowly replaced all of the "plastic" (granite c-tops and site finished oak floors, left the cabs due to expense but continued to hate the material.) I was so much happier with the materials that felt solid to me. Now, I freely admit that I am definitely a "form over function" gal and you may not be. (I mean, my c-top in our new house is marble...can't pick a top that is more form over function than that! ) And if the laminate works for you and you like it....I don't see how it can be a mistake, unless you are trying to sell your house to someone like me. :)

Laminate can be a great choice! IF you choose it based on correct information and not assumptions. Assuming that it will be the least expensive choice is an incorrect assumption. If you live somewhere that has a ready supply of pre formed counter blanks, then granite is likely to be cheaper than laminate unless you completely DIY the laminate. Some of the laminates with the fancier edges and fancier finishes can be more than an inexpensive custom cut granite!

Today's laminate is thinner than yesterday's. The old days of the plain flat edge or aluminum or wood edge allowed laminate to be used as a flat surface. It could be thick, because it didn't need to bend. The new curved laminate surfaces with the attached backsplash all have to bend to conform to those curves. It has to be thinner to be able to do that. Thinner is less durable than your grandmother's laminate. Some makers have compensated by using tougher coatings like Wilsonart's HD series. It takes it out of the "budget" choices and into the "medium" priced choices if you go that route with labor paid to create your counter though.

Laminate has an environmental impact on the earth as well. Some green, some not so green. It's top coating is petro-chemical based. It's middle section uses inks and dyes to create the pretty patterns. The lower section us composed of recycled brown kraft paper. The substrate is particle board, which is composed of the lumber industry's waste material recycled with glues---some containing formaldehyde.

Now for the plusses! It is not restricted by Mother Nature to only come in certain patterns in colors. If you can imagine it, it can be made in laminate. Wilsonart has a custom laminate program, that although pricy, can take any design you want and produce a laminate sheet for you. Want to use Grandma's quilt you inherited in your kitchen? You can take high quality pictures of it and make it into a counter and backsplash for your kitchen.

Want the serenity of Brittany Blue? The sophistication of Slate Gray? The classic neutral look of Khaki Brown?
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Solid colors give a you a quiet look that nothing else can duplicate.

Want to go super mod and have a grass, or bark or pebble counter?
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Yup, those are laminate patterns and a heck of a lot easier to keep clean than the real thing that a Trading Spaces designer would give you.

Want marble, or limestone, or granite, but scared of the upkeep?
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Choose laminate and never need to seal your warm to the touch counter!

Popcorn for controversial thread viewing entertainment? Coffee beans for the caffeine addict? Jelly beans for your kid's own special work counter?
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Yup.

The old Boomerang pattern in a gazillion colors?
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Yup, that already exists!

If you imagine it, it can be done.

It's VERY DIY friendly. If you have a modicum of skills and a few tools, you can make a laminate counter! Check out YouTube for video tutorials.

There is a whole Design Around This Thread for you to take a look at using laminate. Some of the links may be broken, but enough should still be up to give you inspiration.

Here is a link that might be useful: Design Around This:L Laminate

A word of warning - hot pots should not be placed directly on granite either. Thermal shock can crack it. This thing cracked my granite in my condo about 10 years ago.

It is a great material, if you understand its limitations, just like everything else.

It's a partly natural product:it's paper layers compressed and impregnated with resin.

I would put it in my living room if it topped a Saarinen table or something by Florence Knoll.

It's pretty forgiving if you have a tendency to drop things: its more cushiony than natural stone, or quartz--and quartz is a natural product + an artificial product as well, btw.

Since it has wood as a substrate, it warms up faster than stone, so it does not feel quite as cold to the touch.

I have soapstone in my current kitchen which I think is almost ideal for kitchens, but you have to like the appearance of something that will age, not look pristine at all times, and is hard enough that it will break things if you drop them.

I am thinking of doing a combination of materials in my next kitchen, soapstone around the range, and either laminate or solid surface (plastic :) ) on my sink run, depending upon the sink.

Personal opinion - who cares what everyone else thinks of it! :) If you like it get. Every countertop material has pros/cons...whatever you choose, just know the cons of it.

We've have laminate counters with a wood trim around the edges for 10 years. Never had a problem. In our new build, we are doing soapstone, but that's bc I personally love it (and frankly, I don't care for granite....everyone has granite...so why do what everyone else does?) :)

I'm with the others who say that you should get what you like (with an informed view, which is what this forum is for, after all.)

In case you didn't see it, I'm linking to a blog post by the Pioneer Woman that compares different counter materials. Unfortunately, laminate is not included in the comparison, which is a pity since it's still a good choice for many.

I was personally thrilled to get rid of my laminate counters, BUT they were solid white and very hard to keep clean without lots of chemicals. (For example, if a grocery receipt left on the counter got dripped on, it would leave a stain. If I put canned items on the counter, they could leave gray marks if moved just a smidge. And don't get me started about red wine drips.) So I think laminate can be great but I'd personally stay away from solid white.

Here is a link that might be useful: Countertop Comparison

It's akin to Christmas shopping...spend/do what feels comfortable and right for YOU and don't worry about what the neigbhors are doing or how much they are spending. You have to live with and be happy with your decisions.

A friend made me a counter top and peninsula from the Wilsonart called 'Olivine' (I think). I think it's beautiful. On the other side I've built butcher block. I'm hard pressed to tell you which I like better.

If I had my druthers and the $$, I'd have soapstone.

Christine

My 35-year old laminate counters are looking pretty raggedy now, but I am seriously considering going with laminate in the new kitchen. My only complaint about my old white ones is that they do tend to stain with stuff like curry or tomato sauce. I wouldn't be surprised to hear that new laminates are more resistant to that.

If I may piggyback a question onto this thread... Is it a bad idea to roll out dough on laminate counters? I do currently and it's not awful, but I wonder if another surface would be a significantly better choice for this.

I recently posted pictures of my budget kitchen upgrade. Here is a picture before (notice the floors, esp, and ignore the countertop crap...appliances were pulled out because there were getting ready to lay my new floor):

And, after--laminate counters (formica is a brand name), and vinyl floor:

My formica is fine, has lasted ten years, and can be cleaned with basically any ol' kitchen cleaner out there. Spray, swipe, done. No buffing, polishing, etc. I already don't cut things directly on it, nor do I put pots directly from the stove on it. I would have chosen formica for my new kitchen, but fell in love with my quartzite. REALLY in love.

Wilsonart is a competitor to Formica, and they also make some solid surface counters that you might want to consider. I think these are similar to Corian. Personally, I would rule out plastic laminate because there are some newer options that are wear better and are more attractive.

It is possible to over-improve for your neighborhood (which may or may not be a concern to you), but you can also under-improve. If you plan to stay put for a very long time, get whatever you want. The Italians made some very interesting plastic laminates in the 1980s, and if you are doing a retro style in your kitchen, laminate might be a good option, especially if you want to be able to change styles in a few years. It also depends on what other surfaces/finishes you have in your kitchen.

If you choose laminate, I would recommend staying away from solid colors and fake stone or fake wood - the laminate should be chosen because it is laminate - not because it can pretend to be something else, although I think I would like zebra print plastic laminate.

Here is a link that might be useful: Memphis plastic laminate from Milan

Except for the hot pan thing, the only problem I have with (tasteful OR fun) Formica is that it's harder to get a good undermount sink. I think it's possible now.

Formica is classic and easier to change later if you must.

I'd also look into metals (Peanut has my counters and won't give them back) and surfaces like Corian.

I like a little stone in the kitchen, but it seems a little too dressy to do the whole counter in it.

If you really want low maintenance consider Quartz countertops. I have had Silestone Quartz for almost 10 years and they look almost new.

There are a wide variety of counters available, not just laminate or stone. Decide what your actual needs are in a counter, and pick one that gives you what you're looking for. For instance, if cutting bread and veggies directly on a counter is important to you, then you'd want end grain butcherblock, not laminate or any of the stone counters. If you do a lot of baking and want a cool surface to roll out dough, then stone (at least in one section) would be an ideal choice. If you HAVE to have an undermount sink, then you want something solid all the way through, like Corian or stone. Options for laminate undermount all still pretty much suck in the real world. If you want super cheap until you can afford the soapstone of your dreams, then painted plywood sealed with some polyurethane will work for a good long while, until your budget recovers enough to be able to go slab shopping.

There is something for everyone!

really? you can't put a hot pot on it? what type of countertop is not mined and can handle high heat??

I regularly put hot pans on whatever flat surface happens to be convenient, whether you're supposed to do so or not. My experience with laminate is that you can set a hot pot on it 112 times and have no problem whatsoever, but then the 113th time of setting the exact same hot pot on the exact same countertop time will leave a scorch mark. ;-)

So I put tile in my last kitchen. No scorching. Some people mind grout lines; I didn't find it to be a problem. I did use larger (12x12) tiles, thin grout lines, and the tile and grout were both black-- white or light grout does seem to me likely to stain over time. Someone still has to dig up the clay to make the tiles, and the minerals in glazes have to come from somewhere too, though I don't know if that is more or less environmentally destructive than mining stone.

I also hear you are not supposed to put hot pots on wood, but I have been setting them on my butcher block cutting boards for probably at least 10 years, and have yet to have it cause a problem. Though if one happens, I expect to mind it much less on my easily replaced cutting board than if it were a counter top. Trees are (at least theoretically) replaceable and sustainable.

Friends put in a granite-look formica and are very happy with it.

We had laminate pre-renovation and now have Jet Mist granite. I find it relaxing not to worry about damaging the counter as much. Except for recycled counters and wood counters, it's hard (impossible?) to compute the comparative environmental costs of different counters. I was happy that ours was mined in the US as if I had to be a miner, I'd rather be one in this country than in many others that sell beautiful granites. Also, the formaldehyde in the bases of some laminate counters was a concern to me in terms of what we would be breathing.

Our new kitchen will have an island. When I went for prices on laminate (what I have now) an issue came up about how the seams would look on the corners of the island (no island now). I really didn't like it. Turns out laminate was only $500 less than the lowest priced granite. I mention this because you said you have a big island. If the island has laminate now and you like it then np.

When we moved in our house we put in laminate which has been fine for over 20 years. Don't rush your decision, take your time and have fun looking at all the choices.

????????????????

I was merely commenting on why I didn't choose formica, not attempting to inform you of something you most likely already knew. Sheesh!

Granite is porous.
Laminates and most of your "quartz" are non-porous.
With all of the super bugs roaming around - anything non-porous may be better in the long run.
I had "formica" for as long as I can remember. I never melted anything on it - but I did put a potholder down.
My new kitchen will have Cambria. As much as I love the look of granite - I could not go that way as one of my friends used to manage a lab and told me the horrors of porous stone.
Sometimes you have to go with your "gut"
Good luck!

Here is one of my favourite kitchens ever. It has laminate counters.

Here is a link that might be useful: marylynn's kitchen

The patterned Formica Design Around This thread that Live_wire_oak referenced changed my attitude about laminate. There were some really great kitchens on that thread, and they showed how laminate could be a design element and not just what you got because you couldn't afford granite. The array of patterns and colors that is available is unmatched in any other counter material. LWO's photos are awesome! I'm especially fond of the coffee bean laminate.

The current trend is stone, but laminate was king for decades. It's what I grew up with and have had in many of my kitchens as an adult. I've never had any issues with hot pots (trivets!), and it always held up remarkably well. My mom's laminate dates from 1960, and it is still going although it is starting to wear through the pattern in places (I hope to be holding up as well when I'm 52).

Susy, I agree with you. Maintance free is the way to go. I am trying to make less work, not more. Hot soapy water and your good to go. I am still looking to see what i want, that is non porous and easy to maintain.

Formica 180FX has a pretty good fake granite. Lots of pics in this thread.

Here is a link that might be useful: Anyone Have the FX180 Formica Countertops?

When my mom was 80 she received a small inheritance. She had never had a " new" kitchen. Her old farmhouse is not worth much, but she got herself a lovely new kitchen under budget, including maple Kfaftmaid cabinets, Formica, laminate floor, and new budget appliances.

All this for less than 20k

Her laminate countertops and backsplash look wonderful and make perfect sense for her house. Granite or stone would have been just silly.

Live wire oak--your post was very informative.

I think there is nothing trendier or more 'in' than being truly happy and comfortable with the things that work for you. It's timeless! People who bash other's choices are always "out" in MHO.

I resonate with the thoughts that reiterate that there are lots of good choices, know your pros and cons, pick what will match your space and tastes, and remember that trends come and go.

I never considered quartz until a year end sale was too good to ignore. The more I read about the low maintenance and strength, and saw some of the newer designs that look like marble or glistening stones, the more I fell in love with the choice.

Our counters will be installed in about 6 weeks. I'll report back then on how I'm doing with the choice.

Good luck! My problem is I like everything so choosing is hard!

"Granite is porous.
Laminates and most of your "quartz" are non-porous. "

Where does this come from?

Actual granite is very non-porous (it will not absorb ANY water to any significant degree).

It is igneous rock hardened from liquid magma.

Some type are relatively plain, others have inclusions (and this can make them more absorbent and subject to damage) that are anything from a little tame to wild looking.

Many synthetic counter materials used oil as a base material (for resin).

I have granite counter tops now.. However, I'm planning a new home and am trying to decide on what kind of countertop I'd like in my new kitchen.

I love the current granite for several reasons: it's lovely to look at, it takes all types of abuse, and it's been very easy to maintain and clean.

However, in my busy home (the island serves as work-station, eating area and play area for 2.5 year old) if the countertops aren't completely clean, I find that the pattern just adds to the business and "messiness" of my counters.. making them look messier! When the counters are completely cleared of papers, pens, toys, etc, it looks awesome. But, who am I kidding, I run a kitchen that is always buzzing and I like it that way!

For that reason, and because I'm looking for a more economical countertop (gotta afford those extra windows!) that will not be so flashy, nor so busy. And, then, I'm going to add a flashy backsplash where pens, papers and toys can't clutter!

Just my 2 cents and personal experience! Hope it helps!

I noticed a comment about white laminate staining. We have white laminate perimeter counters that are about 20 years old. Aside from a couple of tiny dings from knives (who forgot the cutting board?!) the laminate looks like new. Stains come out instantly with soft scrub with bleach. Just squirt some on, wipe with a damp rag and it's clean in about three seconds. Our black granite island top requires more attention than the white laminate.

There were no stains in my old "white kid" grained white Formica that we couldn't remove. We installed in 1975 and removed the countertops in 2010. Not a bad track record, eh? "Soft Scrub" was a good aid. It didn't take much of the goo to do the trick. Let it sit on the spot for a while before rubbing if it's a tough stain. All in all, there were virtues to that white countertop--I knew when it was clean or needed to be cleaned and I knew exactly what was sitting out on it.

Consider the influence of a busy background on efficiency--it camouflages, blends, and interrupts quick visual finding of things because the eye just sees the larger pattern and the big stuff on top of it. I'd prefer the "movement" to be on the wall in an art piece rather than on the countertop messing with my work vision. I bought the "Antique Mascarello" faux stone Formica for this remodel and it's about as busy as I could stand. But the area adjacent to range is plain old butcherblock and I can see to grab up that spatula or hot pad quickly when I need it. If I spill coffee beans or wild rice on my faux stone, cleanup is not quick--it's hide and seek. A more homogenized grain in stone or similar substance with a small speckle pattern would not have the camouflage problem I assume.

I'm surprised that some people will have not tumbled to the idea that my "stone" is laminate until they lay their hands or elbows on it. From a distance, it's a stone apparently. As if I cared.

I'm a fellow no maintenance of the countertop fan. We went with Caesarstone quartz; it cost about what granite would have, although we got it through IKEA, during their summer 20% off sale.

I would have been happy with a laminate again, except that DH really wanted an undermount sink. I love soapstone, but didn't want to deal with oiling, love marble but it's one of the porous types, granite needs sealing, and I liked the somewhat repeating patterns available in quartz. Dramatic wouldn't work in our modest kitchen.

We did do something that is almost another "forbidden": added a 4" backsplash to the counter, of the same material. Just about every Formica counter I've ever seen had one, but hardly any non-laminate counters are seen with it today. I just happen to like the look, and we have a semi-retro look in our kitchen anyway.

I just wasn't passionate about having stone, and had been happy with laminate counters for years... I couldn't see spending thousands and thousands of dollars on counters, when we could DIY laminate for a small fraction of the cost. That money spent on excellent performing appliances does way more for me than the same money spent on stone instead of laminate.

I don't think it looks at all chintzy and would never compare it to plastic living room furniture. It's very practical. For me it wears like iron and I don't have to baby it. I wanted to change things up a bit in our new house and also have some wood and some stainless countertop...but the laminate seems the most 'bullet-proof.'

I like the option to change things, and I'll never have to feel badly about wanting to update my kitchen with new counters in 10 yrs or so.

Here is a link that might be useful: my kitchen with laminate, wood, and stainless counters

"For me it wears like iron and I don't have to baby it."

None of the laminates will survive pans from the oven, let alone the stove.

All these folks complaining about granite being hard to maintain must have selected something besides an actual granite.

Actual granites do not require sealing, or any real babying.

Wipe them with a damp sponge and some liquid soap and you are done.

If something does manage to hide long enough to dry out, just use a single edge razor blade to scrape it off, then wipe up the remains.

Some of the more decorative stones ARE softer and more easily damaged or stained.
They are not actually granite though.

Next to my current marble and Canbrian Black, my best countertop was basic white laminate, and I had it in a couple of kitchens -- and probably beige or white in a couple of countertops before that. The only thing I am not crazy about is the limitation with undermount sinks, because I really do like my undermount sink.

I have laminate in my new kitchen. I find it easy to care for. Not being able to put a hot pot on it is not a deal breaker--I have spent my entire life using hot pads under hot pans, so it's just a habit I've continued. :-) Granite is beautiful and a fine choice. I love the look of soapstone. However, it wasn't high enough on my list of priorities to 'make the cut', so I got a laminate that evoked the look I liked and kept us within the budget we had. I've been happy with my choice.

Cj