Veneer Counters?
Question:Can anyone tell me the pro's and con's of installing a Veneer Counter in my Kitchen? I like the look, but don't know much about its durability, bacterial facts, ect. Also, what should I look for - the specifics? Size wise, and other key tips?
Answers:
I assume that you are talking about plastic laminates. I would suggest Wilsonart as far as an affordable plastic laminate. If price is not a problem, Corian is about the best, but it isn't a laminate. It is a solid slab that is almost virtually indestructable and comes in many colors including a simulated granite. If you go with the plastic laminates, I would stay away from the textured laminates and just go with a color that you would like and also go with the thick plastic laminate that Wilsonart makes. I have used many different manufacturers laminates and I have found Wilsonart to be the best in quality.
Contrary to what the person above me said, Corian is an extremely durable product. I have installed it in many homes. It isn't cheap though. The person above me is extremely wrong about Corian being inexpensive. It runs about $100 to $130 a linear foot installed, maybe a little more depending on the extras that you may want. Linear foot means the total length of your counter top. Some companies may charge by the square foot. Corian is extremely heat and impact resistant and if scratched badly, it can be sanded smooth and look as good as new. It would be a good investment for resale on a nicer home.
Also, if you go with a plastic laminate, demand a lumber core underlayment such as miranti, it is a sub species of mahogany that is used in areas where the underlayment needs to be moisture resistant. I have used it quite a bit in nicer homes. Particle board sucks and is garbage.
I use to do custom cabinets, counter tops, furniture and home remods until I got into the truck driving business.
POOP!
i got 2 points, i got 2 points haha ha ha ha
are we talking about Plastic Laminate?
Some people call it formica and personally, I am a realtor and I feel that all these people installing all this expensive granite are going to be way sorry when granite is replaced by versatile veneer/formica. This can be "bleached" sanitized, and wiped clean with a damp cloth, you can use a cutting board (why be so lazy to say you would even WANT) to chop up things straight on your (germy) granite countertops?
Cheap enough you could remodel without breaking the bank when you decide to have a fresh new look too.
In the Arizona area, there is a new faze to dark blue counter tops and formica is in there.
Honestly I would go for something much harder to scratch. If you drop glass and it breaks, it is going to gauge your counter topp. Or if you are doing cutting, you are going to slice through the veneer. Not to mention that the veneer might warp after getting too much water on it. If you have to go inexpensive then do a Corian. They aren't the most durable, but they are a decent solid surface counter. If you have the money, go quartz. It doesn't have to be sealed and it is harder than granite or marble.
Good luck!!
More Related Questions & Answers...