Durability
Laminate on countertops can chip, peel, and flake. Never cut directly on the laminate. Hot irons may singe the laminate.
Appearance
Laminate countertops are available in a wide range of colors and finishes, from solids to faux stone. Premium, designer-grade laminate has sharper graphics.
Pricing
For the budget-sensitive laundry room remodel, laminate countertops are a wise choice. Laminate can be one of the least expensive countertop material.
Longevity
Laminate countertops have a limited lifespan, especially with hard use. Colors may fade. Expect to change out your laminate counters at least once with moderate use.
Solid Surface Countertops
Clothing Operations
With smooth surfaces and invisible, flat seams, solid surface countertops provide a reliable space for most clothing operations, except ironing.
Durability
Solid surface is made from polyester or acrylic. Acrylic countertops can be damaged by solvents such as glues, ketones, acetones, and thinners. Solid surface scratches relatively easily, but scratches can be sanded out with fine-grit sandpaper. Hot irons may melt solid surface materials.
Appearance
Solid surface comes in a wide range of solid colors or stone looks. While solid surface’s faux stone does not have the depth of quartz countertops, still it is reasonably attractive and home buyers tend to covet solid surfaces.
Pricing
Solid surface is a moderately priced countertop material. Rarely is solid surface installed by the homeowner, so labor costs must be figured into the total price.
Longevity
Solid surface materials last long, and scratches can be sanded down numerous times, extending the lifespan of solid surface.
Ceramic Tile Countertops
Clothing Operations
Some homeowners may find ceramic tile countertops’ numerous seams and grouting annoying when dealing with clothing. However, as long as you are doing nothing that requires a perfectly smooth surface, ceramic tile can provide an adequate surface.
Durability
Ceramic tile is durable, especially with hot irons. But ceramic tile also will easily crack or chip.
Appearance
While ceramic tile counters are utilitarian, they have limited aesthetic value for many homeowners.
Pricing
Ceramic tile is one of the cheapest laundry room countertop materials, particularly since do-it-yourselfers can install their own tile countertops.
Longevity
Well-maintained ceramic tile countertops can last for decades. Do not store heavy items like large containers of laundry detergent or irons in cabinets above tile countertops.
Quartz/Engineered Stone Countertops
Clothing Operations
Quartz, or engineered, stone countertops are excellent for working with clothing. This material is flat, smooth, and seam-free.
Durability
Quartz countertops are highly durable. Even though they are created from engineered stone, they behave much like natural stone—and with the durability of natural stone.
Appearance
Lush, sleek, and displaying unparalleled visual depth, quartz countertops are highly desired by new home buyers.
Pricing
All factors about quartz countertops make them perfect for laundry rooms except for one thing—price. Quartz is one of the highest-priced countertop materials, except for outliers like stainless steel and custom concrete.
Longevity
Expect your well-maintained laundry room quartz countertop to last for more than 25 years. Quartz countertops typically come with long limited warranties.
Wood Countertops
Clothing Operations
Wood countertops are flat and seam-free. Raw, natural wood that is untreated is not smooth and makes folding operations difficult. For this reason and for moisture protection, always seal your wood countertops. If wood is left unsealed, it can become grainy. Heat and steam will adversely affect wood countertops.
Durability
Wood is durable, though it can burn if a hot iron is placed on it.
Appearance
Depending on the type of wood you choose, its looks can range from functional to stunning.
Pricing
Wood countertops are usually moderately priced. Since wood countertops can be installed by do-it-yourselfers, labor costs are eliminated if you go that route.
Longevity
As long as they are kept sealed and dry, wood countertops will last for decades.
Which Countertop Should You Buy?
For laundry room countertops, laminate and solid surface materials strike a perfect balance—looks, durability, availability, longevity, and especially, economical pricing. Unless you own a premium home that demands the highest grade of all materials—namely, quartz countertops—laminate and solid surface will work for a majority of laundry room countertops.
