Why Choose Granite Instead of Laminate for Your Countertops?
Laminate countertops have come a long way in the last two decades. Today, high definition laminate can resemble the look of granite and other types of natural stone. In addition to patterns, laminate can be made with a texture and even edges to replicate stone. While these advances are great if you want a budget-friendly countertop, laminate is still no replacement for real granite, and here’s why.
Granite Offers Great Resale Value
Kitchens and bathrooms sell homes, and many of today's buyers want natural-stone countertops like quartz, marble, travertine, or granite. If your home has laminate, buyers may view it as something they need to replace. Granite countertops often top buyers' wish lists and boost the appeal and value of a home. While laminate is budget friendly, granite is an investment.Granite Resists Heat Damage
Though it’s best to use a trivet, occasionally placing hot pans on granite won't cause damage. While you should be careful of the finish, natural stone is incredibly heat resistant. The same can't be said for laminate. A hot pan placed on laminate could cause permanent discoloration and heat damage. High heat above 150°F can also cause laminate and the adhesive to react and deteriorate.Granite Is Scratch Resistant
Plastic laminate countertops are usually made from compressed layers of paper covered with a hard plastic. This thin coating of plastic can be scratched very easily. If you have laminate, you need to be careful to avoid cutting anything on the surface. Once the laminate is scratched, it's almost impossible to repair, and you will need to live with any signs of wear. Granite can only be scratched by materials with a higher hardness rating, such as diamond. Using knives on granite occasionally won't cause scratches, but it could dull the blades. Granite countertops are extremely resistant to scratches and do not show daily wear like laminate.Granite Is Natural
Nothing compares to using natural elements in your home. If you want to make an eco-friendly decision while remodeling your kitchen or bathroom, granite is a great option. Laminate countertops require a long manufacturing process, and these completely manmade counters don't even last very long. Granite is quarried from the earth and cut into slabs. The surface is then polished with diamond pads to highlight the stone's natural beauty. Choosing granite for your countertops means you won't be contributing to landfills in a decade.Granite Lasts a Lifetime
With proper care, you can expect laminate countertops in your kitchen to last around 10 years. Burns and scratches are the cause for most failures of laminate. Before laminate wears out, it will probably show its age with scratches and chips. Natural-stone care is relatively simple. When properly cared for, granite can easily last longer than the house itself, maintaining its beautiful appearance for life. At Granite Gold®, we offer a wide array of products that are safe to use on granite, marble, travertine, and other types of natural stone. For instance, Granite Gold Clean & Shine® is a handy granite cleaner and polish in one convenient bottle. To learn more about our stone-safe products, give us a call at 1-800-475-STONE.
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Posted on October 18 2017