Kitchen World has a wide variety of counter choices for your home. The 4 most popular types of countertops have been compared side by side in the table below.
|
Laminate |
Solid Surface |
Granite |
Engineered Stone |
| Appearance |
100's of colors. Noticable seams. |
Wide variety of colors and patterns. Seamless. |
Rich dramatic colors, speckled or veined. Glossy. Noticable seams. |
Looks like granite. Glossy. Noticable seams. |
| Cleanability |
Stains easily. Hand scrub. Some cleaners hurt finish. |
Resists stains, mold and bacteria. Use most cleaners. |
Stains easily. Seams can trap dirt. Clean with mild soap. Seal twice a year. |
Resists stains. Seams can trap dirt. Use most cleaners. |
| Durability |
Minimum heat resistance. Scratches easy. Scratches can't be repaired. |
Some heat resistance. Scratches easily. Scratches repair easily. |
High heat resistance. Cutting on surface will dull knife. Chips can't be repaired. |
Good heat resistance. Chips can't be repaired. |
| Versatility |
Many edges. Only drop in sinks. |
Infinitely customizable. Use any sink. |
Limited designs and edges. Use any sink. |
Limited designs and edges. Use any sink. |
| Value |
Cost less up front. Limited longevity. Must replace if damaged. Shortest lead time. |
Can be refinished to look like new. Increases home resale. |
Difficult to damage, but must be replaced if damaged. Increases home resale. One of a kind. |
Difficult to damage, but must be replaced if damaged. Increases home resale. |
| Warranty |
1 year for defects. No burns, scratches or wear. |
10 year istalled warranty. Labor and materials. |
Local fabricator warranty. |
10 year warranty. Product only. |
