Browse Forums Kitchen Corner 1 Sep 29, 2008 11:02 am Hi,
Have been following the threads on Essa/Caesar, etc... and am considering manmade stone too. Considering the difference in prices between laminate and stone, which is about $4K in our proposed kitchen can I get honest opinions on if the stone is worth it? Always use boards to cut, etc... on my existing laminate, and yeah its got a few scratches here and there for a couple of years but really wonder if a good stone looking laminate would suffice and spend the extra on other things in the house (like the nice spa I have my eye on for the ensuite!). Would love to hear from those that have experience with laminate and stone. If anyone has a good stone type laminate could you clue me in on the maker, i.e. Formica, Wilson Art, etc... Thanks all Re: Laminate or Stone - Is it worth it? 2Sep 29, 2008 11:51 am I've had experience with stone, granite and laminate.
Always had laminate in my homes..... but my ex had stone in one home and granite in another... (I spent lot of time there... cooking etc). For me no comparison.... I'll take a hard surface anyday, am prepared to pay for it and sacrifice other things and prioritised to do so. BUT that's me.... other people cannot justify the cost and I understand that as well. You just have to decide how important it is.. to you. Jo I leave you to fend for yourself, figure things out yourself. Terrence Malick Re: Laminate or Stone - Is it worth it? 3Sep 29, 2008 11:59 am Yeah, again, it's a personal preference thing. If there's a laminate top you like just as much, and esp if cost is an issue, then go for that. I love the look of stone, and I love the one I've chosen, so I was happy to factor in that cost.
I'm sure there are a number of good stone -look laminates, I guess it depends on what colour stone you want. I know there's a goon Laminex one that looks like the Caesar stone Snow/Quantum Quartz Ice sort of colour. Can't remember the name, tho , sorry! I'm sure others can help you with other colours, too. Solidarity, not solidity.......The Lexicon of Life Re: Laminate or Stone - Is it worth it? 4Sep 29, 2008 5:32 pm joles Always had laminate in my homes..... but my ex had stone in one home and granite in another... (I spent lot of time there... cooking etc). Jo Especially etc !!! I have had a laminate benchtop in my current kitchen since 2000 and I don't think there are any chips or scratches in it. Whilst I understand that many people love stone benchtops, laminate really is quite durable with sensible precautions - using chopping boards etc. Re: Laminate or Stone - Is it worth it? 5Sep 29, 2008 5:39 pm Helyn joles Always had laminate in my homes..... but my ex had stone in one home and granite in another... (I spent lot of time there... cooking etc). Jo Especially etc !!! Yep... thus the need for a solid work surface! I leave you to fend for yourself, figure things out yourself. Terrence Malick Re: Laminate or Stone - Is it worth it? 6Sep 29, 2008 5:44 pm It's such a personal thing! I'd go a stone benchtop over a spa any day personally, but I'm not a spa fan!
In the right house I think stone benchtops are a good selling point for resale value, but that is not really a consideration if you're going to stay there a long time. Laminate or Stone - Is It Worth It? 7Sep 30, 2008 9:20 pm Thanks for sharing your thoughts and experiences - this forum is so good to "try and test things" via others! Will see how the budget goes and if we can will go for stone as the feedback was really positive.
Cheers Re: Laminate or Stone - Is it worth it? 8Sep 30, 2008 9:26 pm go the stone!
we got free quantum quartz in our kitchen - (probably wouldnt have got it otherwise) now we wish we paid extra to have it in the bathrooms too - you cant go back to laminate.... Built Porter Davis "Dromana" 2007. Re: Laminate or Stone - Is it worth it? 9Sep 30, 2008 9:56 pm petal I'm sure there are a number of good stone -look laminates, I guess it depends on what colour stone you want. I know there's a goon Laminex one that looks like the Caesar stone Snow/Quantum Quartz Ice sort of colour. Can't remember the name, tho , sorry! I'm sure others can help you with other colours, too. Laminex Diamondgloss Pure Mineralstone. That's what we're having. There's other colours/patterns too including a dark wood looking one which made me really reconsider the image I had in mind! Looking at it at the display centre, Mineralstone looks just like stone BUT highly doubtful it will be as durable as a stone benchtop. Our builder quoted us 3k for the stone upgrade. I love it, but there's so many other things I need to spend that money on Should also add that it still has the obvious laminex edges - but it doesn't look as sharp as the standard laminex. http://i470.photobucket.com/albums/rr64/JellyLegs01/KITCHEN.png Re: Laminate or Stone - Is it worth it? 10Oct 03, 2008 12:03 am joles Helyn joles Always had laminate in my homes..... but my ex had stone in one home and granite in another... (I spent lot of time there... cooking etc). Jo Especially etc !!! Yep... thus the need for a solid work surface! But it's MUCH COLDER on bare skin!!! Re: Laminate or Stone - Is it worth it? 13Oct 13, 2008 12:40 pm If you go the stone, just think of the money you will save on the water that you would have otherwise used in your spa...
With stone you still need to use cutting boards. Also , depending on colour be careful and wipe up any spills as soon as possible, because things like fruit juices, acidic things, etc... can stain stone. Also, just a precaution, cause my neighbour did it alot, make sure you dont hit the edge of you china on the edge of the stone bench top cause the china will not win... my neighbour did this so much when she took her plates out of the dishwasher. quite funny.... Maleena Hardy Curiouser & Curiouser Vintage-Handmade-Interior & Colour Consultancy http://www.curiouserandcuriouser.com.au Re: Laminate or Stone - Is it worth it? 14Oct 25, 2008 12:36 pm We ended up getting caesarstone put in our kitchen.
I was intially going to go with laminate. But decided to go with a more expensive benchtop, have cheaper cupboard doors and have nice handles put in. (Figured, down the track I can always change the cupboard doors!) People tell us the benchtop is the first thing they see when they walk in and dont even notice the cupboard doors! (Well, thats what they tell me! ) But I do agree with MaleenaH, the stone can be a bit rough on your crockery! First time home owner and first time renovator... Re: Laminate or Stone - Is it worth it? 15Oct 25, 2008 4:44 pm JellyLegs petal I'm sure there are a number of good stone -look laminates, I guess it depends on what colour stone you want. I know there's a goon Laminex one that looks like the Caesar stone Snow/Quantum Quartz Ice sort of colour. Can't remember the name, tho , sorry! I'm sure others can help you with other colours, too. Laminex Diamondgloss Pure Mineralstone. That's what we're having. There's other colours/patterns too including a dark wood looking one which made me really reconsider the image I had in mind! Looking at it at the display centre, Mineralstone looks just like stone BUT highly doubtful it will be as durable as a stone benchtop. Our builder quoted us 3k for the stone upgrade. I love it, but there's so many other things I need to spend that money on Should also add that it still has the obvious laminex edges - but it doesn't look as sharp as the standard laminex. Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ I had black diamondgloss in my last kitchen absolutely loved it, you can get a really tight rolled edge on it (we got it down to a 5mm roll). you just cant get the end rolled. Also I might add that when I wiped it down I needed to use a shammy (spell?) to get it nice and shiny and streak, spot free. Would still have it again though. Maleena Hardy Curiouser & Curiouser Vintage-Handmade-Interior & Colour Consultancy http://www.curiouserandcuriouser.com.au Re: Laminate or Stone - Is it worth it? 16Oct 25, 2008 8:34 pm Quote: I had black diamondgloss in my last kitchen absolutely loved it, you can get a really tight rolled edge on it (we got it down to a 5mm roll). you just cant get the end rolled. Also I might add that when I wiped it down I needed to use a shammy (spell?) to get it nice and shiny and streak, spot free. Would still have it again though. Thats good to know. When I looked at it at the Laminex show room, I could tell finger prints might be a problem. But I'm sure I'll be happy with it anyway. In fairness nobody gave a crap about the ACCC and the gag clauses continued in the pro forma templates of a few other builders after the ACCC took on Wisdom, and more… 19 73469 Hi I am wanting some opinions about the build of a steel shed I am going to get one about 4.5 x 2.5 m steel shed and the height will be about 2.3-2.4m high The one I am… 0 14442 Hi everyone. I am a single mother with little daughter, living in a small tourist town in WA Australia. I am thinking to install security screens to all the doors and… 0 24565 |