The design people hate Formica counter tops...what do you think?
by
Edie
+3
Considering new Formica or maybe faux painting a stone finish on a bar area.
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They make such nice looking Formica now, that mimics more expensive versions. I don't see anything wrong with it personally. But some people just don't like it's look, and that's okay. It's personal preference, I think. Here is an article I found that is interesting and talks about the benefits of Formica, despite some people's aversion to it:
http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/news/2013/02/four-reasons-to-love-your-laminate-countertops/index.htm
Use your own judgement as they will tell you anything to make more money off the job.Been there done that.
Unless you are on a 'look at me' tv show, you do not need to be importing Italian stone. I like Formica a lot for its ease of use and practicality. It only has gotten better in recent year. I discourage faux painting, as it usually ends up looking like a badly done DIY cheap fix and wears quickly.
I have had lots of countertops in my life and considering what cruddy countertops I have now, it would be a huge improvement. I am probably one of the few people that actually like formica and would choose it again. I love natural stone, but not fond of most of the granite that is commercially sold. We have ripped out and given lots of granite away on houses we rehab. If you like the ease of maintenance of formica, I say go for it. Totally a personal preference, never let anyone make you feel bad for choosing it over other options. Your house, your money!
When we redid our kitchen over a decade ago, we were pushed to install granite. At the time we didn't have the budget for it - so we went with laminate (Formica). We chose a variegated darker pattern that mimicked granite, and even after all this time, it still looks really nice. You can't abuse it the way you can granite (have to always use cutting boards and trivets), but with care, it will last and look good for years at minimal cost.
New Formica is beautiful and a good and less expensive way to redo your counters.
Forget what the design people think and go with your gut. You are paying for it and will be the one living with it. There are SO MANY designs in Formica that look like real stone and granite finishes but are much more durable, especially if you have kids or pets.