Do you get a kick out of loaded questions? If so, we have a good one for you. Which is better: covering old laminate countertops with contact paper or replacing them with new countertops?
It is a loaded question because natural stone countertops are our business. Of course, we would prefer that you invest in brand-new countertops. And we would prefer that you choose granite, marble, quartzite, or quartz from Bedrock Quartz. But we also know that some Utah homeowners are facing real budget constraints.
We would never encourage homeowners to get themselves heavily into debt for new countertops they really cannot afford. Still, it is wise to understand one’s choices. Contact paper is a temporary solution to a significant problem. It is not intended to be permanent.
Covering Laminates With Contact Paper
A laminate’s big draw is price. Laminate countertops are essentially manufactured wood products covered by a laminate veneer. They are mass-produced and sold at very reasonable prices. Their biggest drawback is that they don’t wear well.
Take care of a stone countertop properly, and it will still look new decades later. No matter how well you take care of a laminate, it’s probably not going to look good at the 10-year mark. That is just the reality. You might even be one of the unlucky homeowners who experience laminate separation.
Contact paper represents a quick and inexpensive DIY solution for temporarily improving the look of older laminate countertops. A typical contact paper is a peel-and-stick product that can be made to mimic just about anything. You can get contact paper that looks like wood or natural stone. You can get paper that looks like stainless steel.
Drawbacks of the Contact Paper Solution
You would absolutely save money by going with contact paper. But there are definite drawbacks. Here are just a few of them:
- Contact paper is not durable. It is susceptible to heat, sharp objects, and impact forces. It can peel, bubble, and tear if not installed correctly.
- Installation is not straightforward. It is actually more difficult than most people know. Get it wrong, and you could end up regretting your decision.
- Despite what it might look like, contact paper still feels like paper. Not only that, but it can also lose its aesthetic appeal fairly quickly.
If you’re thinking about contact paper because your laminate countertops are starting to come apart, understand that applying contact paper isn’t going to change that. Peeling or bubbling laminate will continue to be a problem until you address it directly.
Replacing With New Countertops
Replacement is a permanent solution to worn out laminates. If budget is a concern, you could spend less on quartz compared to marble, granite, or quartzite. That’s because quartz is a manufactured product rather than a natural stone.
There are still cheaper options, including new laminates. But if you replace laminate countertops because they are old and worn out, new laminate countertops will eventually suffer the same fate.
You have the option of financing quartz countertops with a home improvement loan. Of course, your budget needs to support such a plan. If it does, you could probably get new stone countertops without putting too much stress on your monthly finances.
Just Think It Through
Again, we would never think of asking people to spend more than they can afford on new countertops. All we’re asking is this: before you jump at the thought of covering old laminate countertops with contact paper, think it through. Make an informed decision that is best for your budget, your long-term needs, and the enjoyment of your home. If you want to experience an award-winning, customer-driven countertop remodeling experience- come visit our design experts at one of our Utah showrooms.
