My vintage 1968 kitchen, before I updated, had avocado green laminate counters and matching backsplash with a Schluter-type transition strip between them. The laminate was a dream to clean. After 45 years there was no heat damage, but when I removed the backsplash a disgusting amount of grease had seeped underneath the metal strip behind the cooktop.

Love your laminate sample!

My 1979 kitchen had a matching laminate backsplash all over the kitchen, including behind the cooktop. The counters were pretty beat up, since they were a textured laminate and the protective finish seemed to have worn off, but the backsplash was in really good shape.

Thanks! I had a very old laminate counter once and it was pretty nice--luckily it had a range with the tall back so I didn't have to worry about oozing or burning. I have about 8" behind the range here but it's a very large gas burner back there...

Maybe you could order a sample and tape it up behind that burner for a while to test it out?

Did you look at the new wilsonart spectrum linen laminates? http://retrorenovation.com/2016/01/13/wilsonart-spectrum-laminate-colorful-linen/

They're beautiful. we're putting a coral color in our house, but there are over 20 colors to choose from. I liked them a lot better than the Adler line. Adler is glossy, wilsonart is more matte.

Oo thanks! I didn't see those on the Wilsonart website! I ordered samples from both Formica and Wilsonart but it looks like I need more. :)

My Formica countertops are ugly as sin, but they've never sustained heat damage in all the years they've lived in my house, which is probably far longer than I have. I know I've put hot pots down on them, too. Just make sure they have decent edges, unlike the gaps you see in the ones made 30 or 40 years ago -- um, such as mine.

I love laminate! It's actually regaining a bit in popularity in modern houses.

Thanks all. It's a good material, especially in locations where its flaws won't apply which is kind of cheating. :)

Just realized I'm sitting at an old tanker desk with...linen pattern laminate. Darn thing has been sending me subliminal messages, hasn't it?

Our weekend getaway has the original Formica from 1956 (Pink Boomerang pattern) behind, and on the side splash next to the gas range, as well as on the countertops and dinette. No heat damage at all, and I do a lot of high heat cast iron cooking on that stove.

In fact, the only sign of wear on the counters is from previous owners using too abrasive of cleaners at some point fading the pattern a bit in areas from scrubbing.

We are planning a much needed renovation of our 1976 kitchen. The white laminate countertop is in perfect shape. Though there is a slate tile countertop for the cooktop counter, there is a a thin white laminate backsplash 4" away from the cooktop. Granted it's an electric coil cooktop, but still. The laminate is also perfect. And the original 1950s laminate countertop is in the basement. Though the metal cabs have rusted under the countertop, the laminate still looks good -- 20 plus years in a family kitchen then 40 years as a basement work space.

Thanks. :)

I guess I'm more concerned about style and it it would be too weird than the actual qualities of the stuff (except for the fire part, but I have a backup for that).