Of all the selections on the market, Formica sheets UK is by far the cheapest choice for kitchen work-tops. In this article, I will explain a couple of ways to get it really cheap. Let me just start by saying this too: just because this style of counters is the least expensive does not mean they are poor in quality.
What Will Cause the Price to be high?
There are a few variables that can affect how much your kitchen tops cost. For instance if you have them custom-fabricated out of plywood, this can be a lot more expensive than if you just select one from the “stock item” rack at Home Depot.
Here are a few things that affect the cost:
1) The layout of your cabinets
If you have several areas which need to have forty-five degree mitered seams, this can add a considerable amount to the cost. Angled walls -such as the popular “island layout” that has three walls which are on forty-five degree angles- will drive the price of work-tops up.
2) Color and finish of the Formica Work-top
There are several different color, pattern and finish upgrades that make the price of laminate work-tops go up. If you select a high gloss top, this will cost significantly more than a “matte” finish. If you select a “stipple” finish style, this may cost more than a low sheen topcoat. Usually the most reasonably priced choice will be a matte finish. All granite patterns will cost more than any other design.
3) Custom Edges on Tops
Lowe’s Formica countertops and other Super Centers offer work-tops which have special edges on them. These are stock “Post Form” work-tops and are not outrageously priced. If your kitchen requires that you have your laminate tops custom-made… adding custom edges to your work-tops will not be cheap. The cheapest option for any laminate work-top is to buy them from a place like Home Depot. If you hire a custom fabricator to make the Formica tops, the cheapest style will be the flat, ninety-degree edge profile.
There are a few other things that can add to the cost of your work-tops:
- If you have a drop-in range, you will pay more than if your stove is free-standing.
- Raised-bar counters add additional costs to your kitchen price.
- Pass-through windows where work-tops are interconnected from one room to the other
- Counters which are longer than twelve feet will require a seam.
The Ideal Factors to Ensure Low-cost kitchen Counters:
- The cheapest kitchen tops will be “matte finish”.
- The layout of the cupboards will not require any seams in the ninety-degree corners.
- All of the counters should be no longer than twelve feet in length.
- There are no angled walls in the kitchen where the tops get installed.
- No granite patterns
- Do-it-yourself (DYI) work-top installation (not recommended unless you possess finish-carpentry skills)
The scale from the cheapest to the most expensive work-tops graduates like this:
Least expensive:
Formica plastic laminate
Mid-priced:
Solid surface (Corian, Avonite, Gibralter, Earthstone)
High end:
Authentic granite or marble