Sister wants Formica ? - Page 3

Vivian · ‎03-11-2010

Sorry, but laminate is definitely not preferred by home buyers.However, if the OP’s sister wants it, for whatever reason, she should choose it. If she doesn’t care about future resale value of her home, then of course she should buy it. If, on the other hand, she has some concerns about the importance of a kitchen in the resale of a home, she should rethink her decision.

OnlyShopsOnline · ‎03-09-2010

I'm glad you told us, LOL! I won't invite you to my gaudy house. We had custom counters put in about 7 years ago. I was going to go with quartz, but when I walked into the store to place our order, I saw the Wilsonart High Def Laminate. It still looks like brand new, and there has never been a day that I've regretted having it installed.

It was less costly than the quartz, but wasn't "cheap" by any means. Actually, wasn't much less than the granite, as that had dropped in price.

But, I really liked the color and the warmth. I have arthritis, and easily drop things. The solid surface counter would have been a disaster for me. Plus, I don't like how noisy everything is in the kitchen, with the stone counters. And how cold they feel.

Two of my friends actually, until just a couple of months ago, thought my counters were stone, LOL! As someone else mentioned, I don't live in a million dollar neighborhood. There are many that have installed stone in their kitchens. But, it's just not important to me.

Our houses are only in the $300,000 price range. If I put my house up for sale, with all of the improvements we have made, I highly doubt anyone is not going to buy it because of counters. Right now, single level homes in our development are selling within 3 days.

Plus, I couldn't care less what HGTV says. Their shows are paid for by sponsors that sell home improvement products.

"I've been here since October 2006. Wow!"

OKPrincess · ‎03-10-2013

To each their own.....can we agree to disagree? Price point is probably why one choice is made over the others.

AuntG · ‎03-09-2010

Unless you are paying for it, I don't see why it should matter to you. There are many beautiful choices in laminate countertops.

nyc1 · ‎03-19-2010

I would agree with you completely. Even if formica has come a long way, it has seams.

I have had granite for the past 18 years, and LOVE IT. It is so easy to care for and I only reseal it once every 2 years. That's one of he easiest things to do and takes very little time. Someone I know, who sold granite for years (it was his company), says he never seals his. He even has granite floors in his entrance way and dining room. They are gorgeous.

jubilant · ‎06-10-2010

We remodeled our kitchen a couple of years ago. I found a Formica countertop that I really liked and would have been perfectly content with. It was beautiful and you could not tell it wasn't something else. We ended up with granite because DH had his heart set on it. It is very beautiful but, imo, no more beautiful than the formica was. Go to Lowe's or Menard's and look at some of their countertops. I think you will be surprised!

jackthebear · ‎03-11-2010

@Reever wrote:
I keep telling my dear sister that she is making a mistake purchasing the gaudy Formica countertops (laminate) - buyers today want stone. engineered granite Quartz or soapstone are popular in my area. For some reason she thinks laminate counters wear better and look better than granite. I told her to re-think her position. Does anyone still use Formica ? I haven't seen it on any of the HGTV shows.

depends if she is planning on selling soon..they will want some kind of stone, but if she is staying who cares.

i have formica that is old and it is good shape

Rockycoast · ‎03-02-2016

It depends on the reason your sister is remodeling. Is she getting the house ready to sell, or just doing it for her own pleasure or is it the only material she can afford. If she is remodeling for resale, you are spot on. She should reconsider her choice. She definetly will take a hit on formica countertops when it comes time to sell her home. Has she checked her surrounding area to find out what is the norm for kitchens? Have had formica, quartz and granite in my homes. Formica is definetly at the bottom of the list in durablitly and looks. It just didn't hold up to our active family. It looks fake also, you can tell the differance between it and a real stone countertop. Granite is my choice of countertop. Durablity, beauty, ease of care, never goes out of style and many, many granites do not need sealing at all. Ours does not. Still looks beautiful after years of use.

qualitygal · ‎10-04-2010

Let her buy what she wants, life is short.

kaydee50 · ‎02-07-2011

We moved into a condo this past summer and the kitchen has black granite countertops. I HATE it. Did not know I have to seal it??? Anyway, there is about 20 feet of it and I am seriously considering replacing it with laminate. I agree it has come a long way in the past few years. I have no intention of selling this place so I may as well get why I want without spending a fortune.