When renovating or updating your kitchen, choosing your worktop is one of the biggest decisions you’ll have to make and it’s not easy to know where to start. There are a number of materials to choose from including laminate, wood, granite and quartz.
In this guide, we’ll have a look at how two popular materials, quartz worktops and laminate worktops, compare with each other to help you find the right worktop for your kitchen.
Historically, laminate has been considered a lower quality, cheap option for a kitchen worktop and quartz worktops were considered to be a more premium option. However, the gap between the two is narrowing and premium laminate worktops are becoming just as popular as quartz worktops.
What are laminate worktops?
Laminate gets its name from its manufacturing process – lamination. Laminate worktops are made up of multiple layers of material. They are made up of a thick slab of MDF particle board, which cannot be seen because it’s covered in a layer of laminate. The laminate is created using layers of kraft paper and synthetic resins which are fused together with heat and pressure. The laminate is then bonded to the MDF core to form your worktops.
Pros of laminate worktops
Laminate worktops offer a number of benefits when installed in your kitchen.
Lowest cost option
Price is a huge factor when it comes to choosing laminate kitchen worktops. Laminate is the lowest cost of all work surfaces which makes it an affordable way to update your kitchen worktop or change the look of the space. Laminate worktops are also easier to replace in the future if you’re looking to change your decor again.
Range of designs and textures
Laminate and quartz worktops are available in a range of colours but the designs of quartz worktops are limited due to the nature of the material.
Laminate worktops are synthetic which means a wider range of colours and designs can be created.
Easier to fit and install
Quartz worktops are made from a solid material which can make them difficult to move, cut and fit by yourself. Laminate worktops are easier to handle and you can cut and fit them yourself with little hassle. However, we still recommend fitting by a professional to ensure the highest quality.
Stain resistant
If you look after your laminate worktops properly, they are stain resistant and will not stain as easily as other materials.
Cons of laminate worktops
Whilst laminate worktops have a number of benefits for your kitchen, there are also some downsides to consider too.
Not heat resistant
Laminate worktops are not resistant to heat so, if you place a hot pan or tray onto the surface, it will burn and leave a mark. They can also be difficult to repair once damage is done.
What are quartz worktops?
Quartz is a man made (engineered stone or solid surface) which is manufactured in a factory. This is in contrast to natural stone such as granite worktops which are quarried and then cut to size.
Quartz is made from around 93% quartz materials which are found naturally in the earth and around 7% artificial resins, polymers and pigments. These materials are hand selected so you can order them in custom patterns and colours to fit in with your kitchen’s decor.
Pros of quartz worktops
Quartz countertops have a number of qualities that make them perfect for your kitchen.
Water and stain resistant
Quartz worktops are nearly 100% non-porous due to their manmade design so spills and water are unlikely to sink into your worktop and stain it.
Low maintenance
Quartz worktops provide an extremely low maintenance and easy to clean kitchen worktop. Aside from sealing once a year, you do not need to do anything, apart from clean your worktops, to keep them looking as good as new and aesthetically pleasing.
Resistant to scratches and heat
You can place a hot pan onto the surface of your quartz worktop without having to worry too much about ruining your worktop. However, we would still recommend using a trivet to make sure your worktop lasts as long as possible. Quartz also has a natural scratch resistant quality so there are very few materials that can scratch your worktops.
Long lasting
As long as you look after your quartz worktops well, they can last for decades which means you won’t have to replace your worktops in the future.
Cons of quartz worktops
The main cons of quartz worktops include:
Expensive
Due to the nature of the material, quartz worktops are one of the most expensive choices as a kitchen worktop. This means that, if you’re updating your kitchen on your budget, the cost of a quartz worktop can make it unaffordable for you.
Laminate worktops are great for replicating the look of a quartz worktop so if you want the look and design of a quartz worktop, laminate worktops such as Pro-Top’s White Sparkle Gloss Worktop.
Inconsistent patterns
Due to the natural materials used within quartz worktops, patterns are often consistent. It’s always recommended that you view the slab you want to make sure the patterning is what you were expecting. Each slab will be different so choosing the patterning and veining you want is important.
On the other hand, laminate worktops are more uniform and will be the same across different worktops.
Hard to repair
Quartz worktops are extremely hard to damage or chip but, if you do manage to chip them, they are difficult to repair and expensive to replace.
Laminate vs quartz worktops: how do they compare?
So, when you’re trying to choose a stylish, long lasting and durable worktop, should you opt for quartz or laminate?
Let’s have a look at how the two compare with each other:
Maintenance
Both quartz and laminate worktops are extremely low maintenance options because neither needs to be sealed or refinished, unlike granite worktops or wooden worktops. To keep them clean, all you need to do is wipe them down with water and a mild soap.
One of the biggest factors in the maintenance of the two materials is keeping them stain and scratch free. Laminate worktops look great but they can be prone to scratching and staining so wiping up spills and using a chopping board is extremely important.
Durability
Quartz worktops are one of the most durable worktop materials available. It is naturally resistant to stains, scratches and heat – it’s not completely resistant to these elements but they are more resistant than laminate worktops.
Laminate is heat and stain resistant to an extent but will stain or burn if you don’t wipe up any spillages or you leave a hot pan on the surface. Any scratches made will be there throughout the lifetime of your worktop.
Colour and design options
Laminate worktops are manufactured using layers of paper or plastic sheets and bonded with resin. The layer of decorative paper used for a laminate worktop can be made to replicate any look so they can easily mimic worktop materials such as granite, marble, wood and concrete.
Quartz worktops also vary widely in colour and pattern options so can mimic other materials. Colours range from bright white to darker colours so there is something for every home.
Cost
As with anything you buy, you get what you pay for when buying kitchen worktops. The price difference between quartz and laminate worktops is significant with quartz worktops coming in at over double the cost of laminate worktops.
The worktop you choose will depend on your budget and the colour or look you’re going for in your kitchen. Spending more on a quartz worktop will mean you have a worktop that will look beautiful for years to come. However, a laminate worktop can offer a similar look and good durability for a much lower cost.
Installation
Laminate is much lighter than quartz so, if you wanted to, you could install a laminate worktop yourself. However, we always recommend professional installation. Laminate worktops are easier and cheaper to deliver and install due to the nature of the material.
If you want to install quartz worktops, it costs much more to deliver and install so you will need to hire professionals to help you install them properly. The cost of installation will be higher but this is offset by the longevity and durability of the material.
Here’s a quick overview of the two materials:
| Quartz | Laminate | |
| Cost | Higher than laminate | Best laminates can cost as much as low range quartz |
| Colours | Wide range of coloured textures available
Fewer options in solid colours like black and white |
Range of right solid colours.
Natural materials can be replicated |
| Maintenance | Low maintenance. Polishing may be required once a year | Can scratch and chip easily. Cleaning is easy |
| Look | Best choice for a high quality look and feel | Depends on the type you choose but can be made to replicate the look and beauty of natural materials |
| Resistance | Resistant to heat, moisture and chemicals. May retain staind and chemicals if left to accumulate over time. | Great resistance to chemicals and fluids. Resistant to heat is lower. Resistant to stains but not completely stain proof. |
As you can see, quartz and laminate worktops are completely different but still offer a number of the same benefits. The choice you make will come down the to the look you’re trying to create in your kitchen and your budget.
At Worktop Hub, we stock a wide range of laminate worktops so have a look at our full range today.
