Compare Wilsonart and Granite Counters

Granite Counter Tops

Granite countertops are literally slices of stone. Formed deep in the earth under great pressure and high heat, granite contains tiny chips of many different minerals, the colors of which give it a look resembling tweed. Minerals available where the granite was formed determine its basic color, ranging from many shades of gray to yellow, green, red and even blue tones. Chips of other minerals can give it a nearly iridescent quality. Granite for counters is sliced from quarried blocks, cut, shaped, edged and polished to produce a finished product.

Wilsonart belongs to a large family of laminate products. Drawings, prints or photographs are printed on paper that is glued to fiberboard or other rigid, thin material. This is then covered with layers of plastic laminate, attached under heat and pressure. While all laminates have served as substitute for wood and stone surfaces for many years, on shelves, counters and floors, Wilsonart has taken the lead in adapting new photographic technology to creating the photographic layer of its laminate products. Just as TV has used digital technological advances to produce High Definition, so has Wilsonart, with the particular aim of making natural objects like stone appear more realistic in laminate. While Wilsonart makes a broad range of laminates, it is Wilsonart HD that constitutes a valid competitor to natural granite stone.

Closely examine samples of both products before deciding. Some claim they can tell the difference between the two immediately; others say no. As the consumer and user, take a hard look and decide how you feel about what you see.

Although you are not buying countertop by the pound, weight is a definite consideration when choosing between stone and laminate. This is of special concern if you are living in multifamily housing. Deciding to cover a large kitchen island with granite may require permission from the co-op board, accompanied by professional assessment of the floor's weight tolerances. Long expanses of countertop against walls constitute similar weight-bearing challenges to base cabinets. Laminate board is a lighter and perhaps safer choice if you have or plan very large amounts of counter space.

Now you are paying by the pound, or so it seems. Compare installation costs carefully. Stone counters are heavier, requiring costlier transport and more manpower to move and install than laminate counters. Installing granite countertops is very seldom a project for a do-it-yourself weekend. The justification is, of course, durability -- granite counters last a lifetime. Temper that argument, however, with care considerations that follow.

As anyone who has lived for years with a dark hot-skillet ring on a light-colored laminate counter can tell you, laminate counters have certain vulnerabilities. High heat is one, and liquids that stain are another. The heavier-than-average laminate coats of Wilsonart HD are designed to address staining, although it cannot be described as completely stain- and heat-proof. Granite, on the other hand, is porous, must be sealed at initial use and periodically thereafter to prevent stains, including grease, which laminate repels. Heat is of low concern, but granite counters can be chipped on sharp impact. In terms of durability, granite counters may seem the better choice for a heavily used kitchen, with the caveat that spills need prompt attention. Laminate is a logical choice for kitchens that receive less heavy traffic and use. Examine how you and your family use your kitchen to determine which material makes the best sense for you.