It’s not what you expected!

Laminate for kitchen countertops was born in an age of prosperity and great optimism. Post World-War II housewives could finally afford to replace the linoleum – yes linoleum! – on their countertops with the sleek plastic sheets in dozens of colors and patterns. For the next 30 years, laminate dominated kitchen countertops in familiar butcherblock, boomerang, abstract daisy and pastel colors flecked with gold.

Today’s laminate has come a long way from there, and some say: “It’s about time!”

Homeowners in the 21st century have the luxury of choosing between hundreds of surface options for their countertops, including high-dollar materials like solid surfacing, quartz surfacing, granite and other natural stones. Laminate remains the most popular choice, probably due to its wide design range, durability and affordability. And, if you’ve looked at countertop options lately, you know that laminate sure isn’t what it used to be.

One exciting new development is Wilsonart HD High Definition Laminate, available in 32 designs created specifically for countertops. Unlike old-school “matte finish” laminate, Wilsonart HD’s deep, rich look and dimensional texture can give your kitchen countertop or bathroom vanity a truly luxurious look without the high budget price tag. With designs that emulate the look and feel of granite, marble and exotic stone, 21st century laminates can be a good choice also for home offices, rec rooms and even laundry rooms.

Laminate has a whole range of additional benefits, not the least of which is easy care. Most normal kitchen messes clean up easily with an all-purpose cleaner. Even stubborn stains are simple to remove from the non-porous surface. Better yet, high performance laminates like Wilsonart HD carry extra wear resistance, some as much as three times the industry standard for countertop laminate.

As the industry moves forward, new advances in laminate technology are sure to emerge. Homeowners can look forward to a new vision of laminate that is a far cry from the old butcherblock and boomerangs. To paraphrase an old advertisement: “It’s not your grandmother’s laminate any more.” – Courtesy of MS.