Laminate countertops--integral backsplash or not?

10 years ago

I'm sorry if this has been answered before somewhere, but a man is here measuring for our countertops and wants to know if we want that 3-4 inch integral backsplash on the back of our WilsonArt Bella Capri countertops. The designer at Home Depot recommended we DO get it so there won't be any seam at the back edge of the counter--but I've been trying to imagine tile sitting on top of that little backsplash and thinking it will look odd.

The guy who's here sees her point but says that if we have the tile go straight down to the counterop, it will look more like a stone countertop--and the tile will hide any caulk line from the counter edge.

Have to give him an answer soon, so hope you can help us decide.

Featured Answer

MizLizzie

10 years ago

I'm no expert on laminate, but I'm with the tile guy. I think it would give a clean and more spacious look to take the tile all the way down. The rolled splash is kind of dated. I think the only caveat might be that you'd need to keep a good eye on the caulk line over time. If it cracks with age and water rests in the angle and seeps in -- especially behind the sink, where mine sometimes sits -- mightn't the laminate warp? Or would they somehow finish the back edge in this application? With granite or quartz, the drywall might absorb some water behind the tile, but the counter will keep its integrity. Laminate will go mushy, won't it? I would love to know the answer and hope an expert will chime in.

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Comments (9)

nancyjwb
10 years ago
There would be a caulk line between the counter and the backsplash with any kind of counter. Like lizzie pointed out above, the stakes are a little higher with laminate on keeping the water out.

Yes, taking the tile down to the counter will give a much more up to date look.
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herbflavor
10 years ago
I'd take the integrated edge....you like the laminate,right? and you'll take time and get a nice tile to come to the top of the laminate,right? that's what I'd do. I don't think any one thing looks dated anymore........seepage into a layer of laminate is something to avoid
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Kim Ladin
10 years ago
The laminate is just a thin layer, basically a veneer, over a particleboard substrate. So if you get water seepage down the back, you could see a little swelling of the particle board.

Functionally, the integral backsplash is better. But I do think it will look a bit dated.

Pick your poison!
mgmum
10 years ago
I have laminate counters and I did not get the integral backsplash. I tiled right down to the counter. I think it looks great. One caveat, my sink is an Ikea Domsjo and so sits on top of the laminate counter and backs right up to the wall, so I don't have any "danger spots" to get really wet and miss drying up because it's in an awkward place behind the faucet or such.
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forumuser1
10 years ago
Have you priced stone options vs the laminate? This, while a bit more expensive avoids most if not all the physics based issues with laminates - regardless of their manufacturer.
CJ Mac
Original Author
10 years ago
I should mention that what we have now is a very ugly laminate countertop with the laminate running up the wall as a backsplash (something we had never seen in our lives). The only seal between the countertop and the backsplash seems to be some kind of caulk. This house is about 12 years old now and we've never had any seepage.
LE
10 years ago
I've had laminate for years and actually replaced it with a different color a few years ago. Tile goes down to the counter and it looks great. Trust you instincts on this one! We are not terribly tidy in the kitchen, but of course there is caulk there, and we've never had a problem with water sneaking back there.
CJ Mac thanked LE
CJ Mac
Original Author
10 years ago
Thanks all! We called and told them we'll skip the backsplash.