28

Feb

Quartz Vs. Laminate Countertops: Durability Vs. Affordability

If you’re considering engineered countertop materials for your kitchen, two popular options are quartz and laminate countertops. But which option is better? Let’s compare laminate and quartz countertops.

Differences Between Quartz And Laminate Countertops

Composition

Let’s first know what these materials are made of before going on and comparing their traits and costs.

Quartz Countertops

Quartz is made of 90-95% of crushed stone crystals like quartz and marble fused with resin and added pigments to create a stone surface. It’s a popular kitchen countertop material, and a very durable one. There are various qualities of it determined by the percentage of crushed stone in it. High-quality quartz countertops have a higher percentage of crushed stone particles.

Laminate Countertops

They are basically a core layer of particleboard or MDF (medium-density fiberboard), that has a decorative laminate layer on top of it. It’s a printed layer, so it can look like anything imaginable and printable. So, it can look like wood and natural stones as well. At the very top of this is a protective layer that offers moderate protection against moisture.

Appearance, Colors, And Variety

Quartz Countertops

It’s an engineered stone, so its appearance is genuinely exactly like a stone, far superior to laminate. Moreover, because of the use of resins, polymers, and pigments, you can find a huge variety of quartz colors and patterns.

There are many quartz slabs that appear like granite, marble, and any other natural stone, and they look like genuine natural stone because quartz actually is a stone, albeit engineered. That being said, quartz has its own appeal too. Its solid colors are preferred in modern kitchens for a sleek appearance.

In addition to that, quartz can also be made to look like wood, but that is not too convincing and not quite popular, as the surface may appear stone-like instead of wood-like. If someone wants a wood-like appearance, they prefer other options such as laminate.

Laminate Countertops

Laminate surfaces can mimic the appearance of anything possible, be it natural stones, wood, bamboo, or anything else. Newer laminate slabs use 3D printing so the print appears quite real, though you can spot the difference if you look closely.

Moreover, even if you don’t want the look of popular materials (natural stones, wood, etc.), there is a huge variety of colors and designs you can pick from.

Durability And Longevity

Quartz Countertops

Quartz is highly durable and long-lasting. It actually rivals granite, a popular natural stone, in overall durability, though some traits of quartz are better while some characteristics of granite win.

In comparison to laminate, quartz is miles ahead of it in durability. It can last from 25 to 50 years if maintained well.

Laminate Countertops

Laminate countertops are moderately durable and last from 10 to 20 years. That is because the top-most layer can wear over time, which leads to damage.

Scratch-Resistance

Quartz Countertops

Quartz counters are excellent when it comes to scratch-resistance. On the Mohs scale, which detects the hardness and scratch-resistance of a material, it scores 7. For comparison, granite has 6-7 score and diamond has a 10 score.

Now, even though quartz countertops are scratch-resistant, it’s still not suggested to chop food directly on the surface. Always use cutting boards to keep the quartz surface in good shape.

If you’re wondering what’s the use of this good scratch-resistance of quartz, then? The answer is that this trait will be helpful in preventing unintentional scratches, like putting keys on the surface, putting knives on the surface or occasionally using a knife directly on the worktop, etc.

Laminate Countertops

Laminate countertops have a protective layer on top, but it can get scratched over time. So, if you have a laminate counter, you must use a cutting board, otherwise, the surface will look ugly very quickly. You can fix minor scratches, but major problems can’t be repaired.

Water-Resistance

Quartz Countertops

Quartz surfaces are manufactured to be waterproof. So, you can wipe any spills without worrying about them seeping into the surface, causing stains and damage. Plus, quartz is non-porous, unlike natural stones, so you don’t need to seal it to retain its waterproofness.

Laminate Countertops

Laminate countertops have a protective layer that is waterproof. However, the surface can be vulnerable to moisture around the edges. Therefore, try to avoid and limit spills, and use minimal water when cleaning.

Heat-Resistance

Quartz Countertops

Quartz is an engineered stone, but it’s still composed of a small percentage of resin. So, prolonged exposure to heat can stain the surface. Usually, it’s safer to put anything with temperatures around 150°F to 300°F, but you should never risk it and always use hot pads, trivets, or coasters for hot pans.

Laminate Countertops

Laminate counters have a plastic decorative layer, so it’s inferior in heat-resistance compared to quartz. It can be blistered or stained even with a short-term exposure to high heat. The top-most layer can even delaminate or warp. So, be careful and make it a habit to put pots and other hot items on hot pads, trivets, or coasters.

Maintenance And Repair

Quartz Countertops

Cleaning and wiping quartz countertops is easy and stress-free. You only need to make sure you’re using the right cleaner and avoiding abrasive tools. As the surface is scratch-resistant, you won’t be dealing with too many scratches. And another great thing is that quartz countertops don’t need sealing.

When it comes to repairs, it’s a stone (though engineered), so you can have it professionally repaired in case of scratches, chips, and stains.

Laminate Countertops

Laminate countertops are also easy to clean, but you have to be careful and never expose them to a lot of moisture because they can be damaged by it. And avoid abrasive chemicals and tools too.

Moreover, preventing scratches is really important because scratches can expose the core layer of laminate countertops, leading to premature damage. Even if scratches and moisture don’t damage the core layer, the top-most layer will look bad. On top of it all, severely worn or damaged laminate countertops can’t be repaired, so you will need to replace them in case of damage.

For Outdoor Kitchens?

Both surfaces are not recommended for outdoor kitchens as the resin in quartz and the plastic layer of laminate can wear quickly when exposed to outdoor elements. Use granite, concrete, or stainless-steel countertops instead.

Cost

Quartz Countertops

Quartz slabs are more expensive than laminate. However, there are various qualities of quartz, so if you’re dead set on buying quartz but want something low-cost, you can pick a lower-quality quartz slab or prefabricated quartz countertops.

Laminate Countertops

Laminate countertops are cheaper than quartz. So, if you’re tight on budget and need a moderately durable surface that can last for 10-15 years, then laminate is a good option.

Installation

Quartz Countertops

Quartz should be installed by a fabricator because it requires special tools and skills. DIY installation could lead to improper installation or damage to the slab.

Laminate Countertops

Many types of laminate countertops are DIY-friendly so you can install them yourself and save labor costs.

Final Verdict

Both quartz and laminate countertops have their pros and cons, and cater to various buyers. If you need a beautiful and highly durable material, pick quartz countertops. On the other hand, if you need something budget-friendly that is also good to look at and moderately durable, then choose laminate countertops.

Consult a quartz countertop contractor Potomac to know more about different countertop options and which of them suits your budget and preferences.