Formica Countertops: A Huge
Selection At Affordable Prices

Do you realize how far the appearance and design has come with these inventive laminate kitchen countertops?

With over 200 colors to choose from, the selection for kitchen counter tops seems endless. In addition to all of the colors that you can get there are some some great textures too.

A new product has been introduced by Formica called 180fx. This has the look of much more expensive stone products, with a pattern that only repeats every 60"! You can now get a countertop that mimics the look of real stone at a fraction of the price.

The 180fx is only available in a limited amount of colors and patterns so it is best to look at samples. Any company that fabricates Formica countertops will have this new laminate available to look at.

You can see larger samples of the new 180fx product compared to the smaller samples for their other finishes.

To find countertop maker in your area that produces quality tops click here and consider joining Angie's List to find the best contractors and kitchen countertop makers.

You can get Formica countertops with many types of edges to give a more finished look. Angled, beveled, straight, or curved are just some of the options. Colored insets and wood edges are also used for a more custom look. These types of edges will increase the price of the tops somewhat.

Sometimes Formica is paired in the kitchen with more expensive stone surfaces, and can hold its own easily. A granite island with Formica on the balance of tops is one way to keep your cost down and still get a more upscale look in your kitchen.


What is Formica?

The basic structure of Formica is made by pressing resin soaked brown paper together to from its core. After leaving a drying oven, the rigid base product receives a quality print paper that features the finish part of the laminate.

More resin and finish coats are applied along with a high-pressure process to yield a completed product. The result is a strong countertop that is stain resistant, water resistant, and easily cleaned.

The care is quite minimal, as it never needs to be sealed. Cleaning with a damp soapy cloth or even stronger ammonia based products makes the tops very simple to care for. Abrasive cleaners should not be used as they can scratch the surface.

It's good to remember that while Formica countertops are highly durable, they can still be damaged. Cutting boards must be used on the surface as it can scratch. Scouring pads should not be used as they will dull the surface. It is also not heat resistant and can easily scorch from a hot pan. If damage does occur, it cannot be repaired unless an entire section is replaced.

Versions of Formica Countertops

Sheets of this product, up to 12' long, are glued to a particleboard base and then cut and put together following a project’s design template.

Formica tops are also made preformed in stock sizes. They have a bonded backsplash and radius front edge, and are called postformed tops. This type of top is great for straight kitchen runs that don't exceed 12' long and can be cut down to fit. This is what you commonly see in stock in home improvement stores.

Other surface seams are found when the top makes a 90-degree turn or other similar places where the top is joined together.

Formica countertops are a great choice for families with busy lifestyles that don't want to worry about care factors. There are some amazing choices for finishes that provide a more advanced depth of color and will work well with many new kitchen designs.

This engineered product will give you peace of mind with its ease of care. It also offers you a lot of choices for a reasonable price. And it's easy to find a color and style that will go with just about any kitchen interior design.

Finding the right kitchen counter top maker in your area that you can count on may be difficult unless you get a referral you can rely on. This however, is not always the best way to find a company you'll be happy with.

The best way is to read reviews by many homeowners like yourself that have used the companies that you're interested in finding. If you'd like to locate a reputable company in you area that makes quality tops, check out Angie's List.

You'll find they are valuable resource at a reasonable price with a money back guarantee that may be the best money you spend toward your new kitchen design project. For a limited time you can take 20% off membership fees with the discount code "premier."

Here are popular links to other pages:

Other useful articles in this section: