Home Improvement Kitchen Remodel & Repair Countertops

Quartz vs. Laminate Countertops: Which Is Better?

Learn the key similarities and differences

Quartz and laminate kitchen countertop

The Spruce / Kevin Norris

Is it possible to compare quartz and laminate countertops? At one time, this was a stretch: laminate appeared to be permanently stuck as a lower quality bargain countertop, while quartz was clearly a premium countertop product. But now, quartz countertops and laminate countertops vie for a place in many kitchens. Read on for a breakdown of how to decide between quartz and laminate countertops.

Quartz vs. Laminate Countertops: Major Similarities

Both laminate and quartz countertops are often chosen for their stone look, and each material mimics natural stone with different strengths and weaknesses. Both materials are also available in a range of colors.

Both materials are generally durable and highly stain-resistant, and neither needs to be sealed like natural stone does.  

Quartz vs. Laminate Countertops: Major Differences

Laminate countertops are a sandwich of materials. The structural part is a thick slab of MDF particleboard, which you never see because it is covered with a thin sheet of laminate.

The laminate covering is made of an image layer that closely replicates wood or stone—or simply solid colors or patterns—with a clear wear layer to protect everything underneath.

Quartz counters are a blend of several materials, mostly minerals. They are made with 90-percent or more stone particles, such as marble, quartz, and other stone types. The minerals are mixed with resin, colorants, and fillers (totaling about 7-percent of the material's content) and heated and compressed into a very hard, durable slab.

Tip

The laminate covering is often referred to as plastic, but this is not so. Laminate is made primarily of layers of kraft paper and synthetic resins.

Appearance

Quartz Countertops

Quartz comes in a limited range of solid colors but a wider range of flecked colors and styles. Quartz's stone-like appearance is more than skin-deep: it extends through the material, for an almost three-dimensional look. Quartz countertop material is homogeneous; it is the same throughout the entire thickness of the countertop.

Quartz countertop

The Spruce / Kevin Norris

Laminate Countertops

The distinctive veining and crystalline structure found in marble and travertine are better represented in laminate than in quartz. Premium laminates can roll the veins over the edge of the countertop as if showing a cross-section of natural stone. Laminate can be found in a much broader range of solid colors, from pastels and soft whites to vibrant oranges and rich grays and blacks.

Best for Appearance: Quartz

If the intent is duplicating the look of natural stone's depth, quartz wins hands down. It should be noted that high-end laminates that try to replicate the look of stone are becoming more realistic all the time. But no matter how expensive the laminate, it may never be able to duplicate quartz's visual depth because it is not physically deep. 

Laminate countertop

The Spruce / Kevin Norris

Water Resistance

Quartz Countertops

Quartz countertops are 100-percent waterproof. Unlike stone products like granite, quartz countertops do not need to be sealed.

Laminate Countertops

The top surface of laminate countertops is 100-percent waterproof. But the materials below the laminate sheet, include some parts of the sheet itself, are not waterproof.

Best for Water Resistance: Quartz

Quartz countertops are more water resistant than laminate countertops.

Heat Resistance

Quartz Countertops

Quartz countertops may look and feel like stone but they are not stone. The presence of resins in the material makes quartz susceptible to heat damage.

Laminate Countertops

Laminate countertops are built of laminate sheets glued to wood bases. Laminate can delaminate from the wood under high heat.

Best for Heat Resistance: Tie

Both materials can be damaged by relatively low temperatures, even as low as 150 F, given prolonged exposure. A hot, dry pan set down on either surface is likely to burn it. Heat damage on quartz is difficult to repair; burned or singed laminate cannot be repaired.

Durability and Maintenance

Quartz Countertops

Quartz is highly abrasion-resistant under normal conditions. Scratches in quartz countertops can be professionally sanded down and buffed out.

Laminate Countertops

Laminate's topmost wear layer, though surprisingly robust, is still its weak point. This can be a problem since sharp objects such as knives feature prominently in kitchens. Scratches cannot be sanded out.

Best for Durability and Maintenance: Quartz

Quartz is tougher and easier to maintain than laminate countertops.

Installation

Quartz Countertops

Nearly all quartz counters must be professionally installed. It is difficult for homeowners to develop the skill set needed to fabricate and install quartz countertops. Once the learning curve has been established for quartz countertops, the installation is, by that point, finished.

Laminate Countertops

Laminate countertops can be professionally installed or some types of laminates can be self-installed. Laminate is an easy material to work with and can be cut and finished with standard woodworking tools. Fabricating a laminate countertop can be cost-efficient if you have the skills for the job. While you'll have fewer options, it's also possible to purchase laminate that's pre-attached to the MDF, complete with rolled edges or edge banding.

Best for Installation: Laminate

Both quartz and laminate countertops tend to look and perform best when professionally installed. But only laminate has a do-it-yourself option.

Cost

Quartz Countertops

Quartz counters can cost $50 to $150 per square foot, for an average cost of $100 per square foot, though more economical quartz products are available.

Laminate Countertops

Laminate countertops range from $14 to $38 per square foot, installed.

Best for Cost: Laminate

Laminate is the clear winner on price. Laminate counters cost about one-third of the price of quartz countertops.

The Verdict

The gap between quartz and laminate countertops is narrowing all the time. Premium laminates are racing to catch up to quartz's wide customer acceptance and market share. Homeowners who once might have flocked to quartz now may find themselves also taking a second look at laminate counters.

While quartz countertops may add more value to a home than laminate countertops (and they're more durable), laminate countertops are more affordable to install, among other characteristics in their favor.

The Spruce uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
  1. Quartz Countertops Cost Guide. Caesarstone

  2. Buyer's Guide: Laminate Countertops. Formica

  3. How Much Does It Cost to Install Laminate Countertops? Angi