Countertops are a key part of any kitchen or bathroom. They provide a surface for you to prepare food or brush your teeth. They also need to be durable, as they are often used as a work surface.
In this article, we will explore the possibility of using laminate flooring on countertops.
We will look at the pros and cons of doing so and help you decide if it is the right choice for your home.
The idea for this topic came from one of my friends who recently had her flooring replaced with laminate.
She had a lot of excess material left over, and she wondered if she could put it to use by placing laminate on her countertops.
The interesting thing is that using laminate on countertops has crossed many people’s minds. So trust me, you’re not alone here.
Not only because it is cheaper than alternative materials like granite or quartz but also because laminate is a very versatile material.
It comes in various colors and patterns, making it easy to find something that fits your style.
Reasons Not To Use Laminate Flooring On Countertop
The truth is that you shouldn’t use laminate flooring on countertops, and there are many reasons why it’s a bad idea. Here are a few of those reasons:
1. Laminate Flooring Materials Easily Gets Damaged With Water
We all know the presence of water on kitchen and bathroom countertops is pretty much inevitable. Water can cause the laminate flooring materials to swell and eventually break down.
Laminate flooring materials are not waterproof, so they will absorb any water that spills onto them. Unfortunately, this can lead to warping and cracking over time.
Even if you are careful with your laminate countertops, accidents happen. And when water damage does occur, it is often irreparable.
This means that when you use laminate flooring on countertops, you would have to replace the entire countertop, which can be a considerable time hassle.
2. Laminate Flooring May Not Be Heat Resistant
Like water, heat is another element that can damage laminate flooring materials.
When you use laminate flooring on countertops, the heat from the steam or hot pans can cause the laminate to warp and discolor.
Even if you use a trivet or placemats, there is always the potential for heat damage to laminate flooring used for countertops.
If you accidentally leave a hot pan on your countertop even for a short period, you could be stuck with a costly repair bill.
This is why it is important to use heat-resistant countertop materials in the kitchen, such as granite or quartz.
3. Laminate Flooring Is Not as Durable as Other Countertop Materials
Countertops are some of the most hardwearing surfaces in the home. So they must be tough enough to withstand years of wear and tear.
While laminate flooring is a strong material, it is not as durable as other countertop materials like granite or quartz.
This means that it is more likely to scratch, chip, or dent over time with all the banging, slicing, and dicing that goes on in the kitchen.
If you are looking for a low-maintenance countertop material, using laminate flooring for your countertops may not be the right choice for you.
You really want a countertop material that is durable and easy to care for, such as quartz.
4. Laminate Flooring Is More Susceptible To Staining
Another reason why I wouldn’t want you to use laminate flooring on countertops because it is more susceptible to staining.
Laminate flooring is much more porous, which means it can absorb liquids and oils from food preparation.
This can lead to permanent staining, which is difficult, if not impossible, to remove. Although laminate flooring material has a protective layer on it, it does not hold up too well when it comes to staining.
So, if you are looking for a countertop material that is easy to keep clean, laminate flooring may not be the best choice.
Granite and quartz are non-porous materials, which means they will not absorb liquids or oils from food preparation. This makes them much easier to keep clean and stain-free.
5. Has A Lower Resale Value
Regarding resale value, laminate flooring will not give you the same return on investment as other countertop materials.
Laminate flooring will lower your home’s resale value because it is not as desirable to potential buyers.
Granite and quartz countertops are much more sought-after by homebuyers, which means they will add more value to your home.
So, if you plan on selling your home in the future, using laminate flooring for your countertops is not the best way to optimize your home’s resale value.
What Do You Use Excess Laminate Flooring For?
Now that you know why you shouldn’t use laminate flooring on countertops, you may wonder what to do with all the extra laminate flooring material. Here are a few ideas:
- Use It For Shelving In The Pantry Or Linen Closet:
If you have extra laminate flooring, you can use it to create shelving in the pantry or linen closet.
This is a great way to add extra storage space to your home without spending much money.
Ensure you do not store many heavy items on the shelves, as this could cause the laminate to warp or break.
- Use It As A Desk Blotter:
Another great way to use excess laminate flooring is as a desk blotter. For example, if you have a home office, you can use a piece of laminate flooring to protect your desk from scratches, spills, and stains.
This is also a great way to add a pop of color to your desk. Make sure you choose a laminate flooring material that is easy to clean.
- Use It As A Bulletin Board:
You can also use laminate flooring as a bulletin board. Just tack it up on the wall and use it to post notes, reminders, or pictures.
This is a great way to add a bit of personality to your home office or any other room in your house.
- Using It For Wainscoting:
Another great way to use laminate flooring is for wainscoting. Wainscoting is a type of wall paneling that is typically used in formal spaces, such as dining rooms or living rooms.
The effect it has is very elegant and can really elevate the look of a room. If you want to add some wainscoting to your home, using laminate flooring is a great way to do it.
- Use It To Make DIY Picture Frames:
You can use laminate flooring to make your own picture frames if you are crafty. Just cut the laminate into the desired shape and size, then glue it around a piece of cardboard.
You can then insert your favorite photo into the frame. This is a great way to add a personal touch to your home décor.
- Use It To Line Drawers or Cabinets:
If you have extra laminate flooring, you can use it to line drawers or cabinets. This is a great way to protect the surface of your cabinets from scratches, stains, and spills.
Just cut the laminate into the desired size and shape and then glue it to the inside of the drawer or cabinet.
- Cut It Into Squares And Use It As Coasters:
If you don’t want to use all of your laminate floorings, you can always cut it into squares and use it as coasters. This is a great way to protect your furniture from water stains.
Just make sure you seal the edges of the laminate so that they do not absorb liquids.
Final Thoughts
As you can see, there are many different ways you can use laminate flooring. Just because it is not ideal for countertops does not mean it has to go to waste.
There are plenty of other uses for laminate flooring, so get creative and find a way to use it in your home. You may even come up with a new use for it that I didn’t think of.
Do you have any other ideas for how to use laminate flooring? Share them with us in the comments below. I would love to hear from you. Thanks for reading!
