Laminate Counters: Philadelphia's Easy Option

Philadelphia has one of the longest and most interesting histories of any American city. That history is filled with many different kinds of people, from many different parts of the world. One thing they all have in common, though, is that they all eat. Not a single culture that has ever settled in Philadelphia has gone without food. It's a safe bet that Philadelphia kitchens have seen as wide a variety of cuisines as any other place in the world. After all that cooking, however, there's bound to be some wear and tear.

Kitchen remodeling is a long and expensive job. One way to cut down on costs is to bypass materials like tile and granite and opt for laminate counters. Philadelphians can expect a complete kitchen renovation to cost up to $25,000 and last up to two months. With figures like that, it makes sense to choose a sturdy, relatively inexpensive material like laminate for your countertops, rather than cut corners somewhere else.

Benefits of Laminate Countertops in Philadelphia
Price aside, there are other reasons that make this material a good choice for Philadelphia. Laminate countertops are actually better in some respects than their more expensive competition. First, it's hard to match the wide selection of looks you can get with laminate. While tile probably comes closest, laminate is available in so many styles, patterns, and appearances that it really blows the competition out of the water. It can also be edged in a number of different ways, giving you even more options for the look of your counter!

Laminate countertops provide a completely non-porous surface. Unlike the tile that is so common in Philadelphia, laminate counters have no grout lines to collect bacteria and stains. While engineered stone and solid surface counters share laminate's non-porous quality, natural stone (yes, even granite is porous to a certain extent) and concrete surfaces can still absorb moisture, especially if left unsealed.

It would be a blatant lie to say that laminate is as strong or durable as natural stone or tile, but it does offer a decent amount of resistance to normal wear and tear. It is most resistant to heat and can be burned if a pan or skillet, hot off the range, is placed directly on top of it. Using a trivet is a necessity when dealing with extremely hot cookware on a laminate surface.

Pricing of Philadelphia Laminate Counters
Of all the reasons, price is probably the biggest one to choose laminate counters. Philadelphia residents can expect to pay around $1,400 to have their laminate countertops installed. When you compare that to the price of solid surface counters, which is around $4,300, or granite, which can run $5,000 or even higher, the difference becomes pretty apparent. Installing laminate is also a faster process, so you'll be able to enjoy your new counters sooner.

One could certainly argue that other counter materials are worth more because they will last longer. While that is certainly a valid point, especially in a city filled with old, durable materials like Philadelphia, laminate counters are actually inexpensive enough that they can be replaced several times over and still be less expensive than a single installation of granite or solid surface.

The ease and affordability of replacement is a selling point in itself. Being able to start fresh without breaking the bank is a great feature for households that like a little change every once in a while. If you get tired of the appearance of your kitchen every ten years or so, choosing laminate means that you'll probably be able to afford a new look.