Laminate competitors (cheap, easy, wipeable)

[R-mm]

I know it’s not necessarily the sexiest or most exciting surface but four years on I am pretty happy with how my laminate work surface has aged. I do reasonably heavy / oily mechanical work on and around it and for the price I don’t know that it can be beat. I need to build out another corner of the garage adjacent to the slop sink and wondering if I should consider any alternates. A sheet of laminate to cover this entire corner would probably cost $45 and is easily laid down on ply with contact cement and a router.

 

[BillK]

Better yet, depending on the dimensions of your bench go and buy a preformed section of countertop at Home Depot and then you will have a nice backsplash too.

I have one bench at my business that has a white laminate top and it has held up for over 20 years. I use it mostly when assembling engines so it does not get beat on very much but it still looks good.

 

[bullnerd]

Any countertop places near you?

There are a TON of different styles/colors of laminate!

My kitchen counter is laminate and everyone thinks its stone, you can see it in the bottom right of this pic.

 

[R-mm]

Yup im an architect and familiar w decorative possibilities in laminate but like white for how it brightens the room and shows parts. Also the cheapest.

 

[bullnerd]

Yup im an architect and familiar w decorative possibilities in laminate but like white for how it brightens the room and shows parts. Also the cheapest.

Ahh...your good then, laminate away! lol!

 

[cderalow]

my bench has a melamine top. cheap, easily replaced. Only downfall is the chipping on the edges. Thinking I might go over it with laminate in the future if I can find a 10' sheet to make it continuous.

 

[yeldogt]

Laminate can be very nice -- comes in every imaginable color and finish ... wears like iron.

It's interesting how fashion drives decisions -- Granite has been out of fashion for at least 4-5 years now around me. Lots of busy ugly granite out there ...

I did a laundry room remodel a few years back using a deep drop in Kohler cast Iron sink (white) and laminate counters ... looks great.

I'm doing a new kitchen and the showroom had a counter done by the granite industry -- it has a new honed type finish -- they are trying to get back in the game. It was interesting .. but there are laminates that look just like it.

I'm surprised that the laminate industry has not figured out a way to make a waterproof opening -- under-mount sinks are nice ... that the big limitation

 

[R-mm]

They have 10’ sheets. Just ordered a 4x8 white formica $55 free delivery from HD.

 

[lolaetype]

One wall of the basement next to the garage. The counter cabinets and shelves existed prior to our buying the house and the laminate countertop has withstood 8 years of my abuse and who knows how much prior to my arrival.

The only caution I'd offer is that laminate doesn't like a heat gun pointed at it for any length of time. Ask me how I know this.

 

[bullnerd]

lol!

Yeah, laminate is cool stuff.

 

[slowtwitch73]

Laminate is great... cheap, strong, etc.

Granite is the oak n brass of the 2000's.

 

[BenDaPirate]

Installed them on my workbench. So far has held up really well. No deep scratches or fading. Plus it was pretty low cost compared to all the other options.

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