Formica Countertop Vs Granite: Comparison Between Formica & Granite Countertops

Comparison Between Formica Countertop And The Granite

If you are looking to purchase a countertop for the kitchen area of your home and you are confused between the Formica & the granite countertops, in this case, you need to go through the comparison between the two before making the choice.

Appearance

The Formica countertops usually have a laminate sheet that has a printed design and is attached to a particleboard core. In terms of the looks there are quite a few options to choose from, but not as much as there are available with the granite.
In the granite countertops option, the user can find an endless variety of colors and also styles. Because the granite is a natural stone so that each of the individual slabs is unique, even the ones that come from the same quarry are also unique. From the solid colors to the slabs having the veins, the granite is available in white, black to the colors like green and blue.

Durability

The Formica countertops are not regarded as the most durable option but will stay in good shape over their lifespan of time. The surface of Formica is non-porous, so the user has not to worry about the sealing. The material is also resistant to the stain. On the downside, these countertops typically last for about 10 years or even before the user must replace them.
The granite is one of the most durable materials. With the proper care, the granite countertops can stay in good shape for many years to come. Although these types of countertops will require sealing, the process of sealing a granite countertop is not very difficult. The granite will usually last for a longer period of time.

Hardness

When it comes to the point of hardness, the Formica is not the best option. The surfaces are usually prone to cracking as well as to the other forms of damage if not taken proper care.
The granite is a very hard natural stone. It ranks on the 8 spots on the Mohs Scale of Hardness. It is one of the hardest countertops material that is available in the market.

Maintenance

Formica countertops are very easy to take care of. The user will not need to re-seal it, as needed with the natural stone countertops. The cleaning is also very easy in Formica countertops. It is highly advisable to stay away from harsh cleaning products like bleach.
Despite the need to seal the granite countertops, they are also among the easiest options to take care of. Using a good quality granite cleaner and a sealer can help in keeping the surfaces to look as good as new for a long period of time. It is advisable to take out a few minutes to clean it every day. Most types of granite will only require to be re-sealed once per year.

Heat Resistance

Formica countertops can burn or even melt once they are exposed to excessive heat. Never place the hot pots or the pans directly on a Formica countertop. Always use the trivets as well as the hot pads when placing down hot items.
On the other side, the granite is regarded as one of the most heat resistant materials for a countertop. This makes it the best choice for kitchen countertops. While the granite surfaces can handle the heat, it is still a good idea to take caution as much as possible by using trivets, hot pads, etc.

Stain Resistance

Formica is a stain-resistant material. If there is a proper level of caution, the stains will not be an issue. However, the stain resistance does not mean that they are totally stain-proof.
The granite is also stain-resistant. With the proper sealing, the staining should be no issue with the granite countertops. But as with Formica, the user needs to be very careful, as the stain resistance does not mean that the granite will never get a stain.