Cost of Laminate Countertops in 2024: Detailed Breakdown
Highlights
Laminate countertops are a budget-friendly material suitable for bathrooms and indoor and outdoor kitchens.
When properly installed and maintained, a laminate countertop can last for 10 to 20 years.
Laminate countertops tend to cost between $841 and $1,739 per square foot, though special antimicrobial options might cost as much as $30 per square foot.
In addition to materials, you can expect to pay between another $10 to $30 per square foot for installation costs.
You can reduce the cost of installing new laminate countertop by opting for prefabricated countertop sections, choosing a more budget-friendly brand, or removing old countertops yourself.
The average cost of laminate countertops is $1,244, with typical costs between $841 and $1,739, depending on where they’re installed, the type of laminate you choose, and labor costs in your area. Laminate counters tend to cost less than other countertop materials.
Laminate Countertop Cost Factors
Laminate countertop prices will depend on factors like the type of laminate you choose, the shape and size of the installation area, and whether additional labor is required to remove old countertops.
Type of Laminate
Laminate countertops are sometimes thought of as plastic. Though they have the same sleek, clean, and modern appearance, they’re actually made of several paper layers covered with a protective melamine resin top layer. These countertops are light, wallet-friendly, and easy to work with, and they’re often designed to look like more expensive solid materials such as wood, marble, or granite.
Aside from the variety of patterns, colors, and edging options, different types of laminate countertops include different surface coatings to add function and durability. For example, while standard laminate countertops only cost $10 to $15 per square foot, you’ll pay up to $30 per square foot for an antimicrobial finish or up to $50 per square foot for a scuff-free, high-durability finish.
Supplemental Material
Expect to pay between $30 and $60 for supplemental materials, including silicone glue and mounting screws. If you hire a countertop installer near you, they typically include the cost of these materials in their estimate.
Countertop Size and Complexity
The length and width of your countertops impact the price of the material and the time it takes to install. If you have a complex design, such as a kitchen with many corners or turns, you’ll pay more in labor for your countertop replacement costs, since it’ll take more time to cut and install the laminate.
Labor Costs
Expect to pay $10 to $30 per square foot to hire a local laminate countertop installation pro. For a typical project of 30 to 40 square feet of countertop, this means between $300 and $1,200 in labor costs.
Removing Old Countertops
If you need to remove your old kitchen countertops before installing your laminate, expect to add another $10 to $15 per square foot of countertop to be removed. For a 30 to 40 square-foot countertop, this means adding another $300 to $600 to the total countertop installation cost for a pro to handle removal and disposal.
Edge Options
Standard laminate countertops will come with a sharp-cornered square edge. However, you have a variety of options when it comes to edge design, each with its own price range.
| Edge Style | Description | Cost per Linear Foot |
|---|---|---|
| Square | Flat edge with sharp, square corners—standard option | No extra cost |
| No-drip | Slightly raised edge to stop spills reaching the floor | $5–$9 |
| Eased | Softened square edge | $5–$9 |
| Full bullnose | Completely rounded edge, curved top and bottom | $9–$11 |
| Half bullnose | Rounded top edge, square bottom edge | $8–$10 |
| Ogee | Sharp top extending downwards into a long curve | $11–$25 |
| Dupont | Short, sharp top edge with a short bottom curve | $10–$20 |
Enhancements and Improvements
You can do several other enhancement and improvement projects while installing new laminate countertops. For example, $1,100 is the average cost of a kitchen or bathroom backsplash, which you can add at the same time as your countertops to update the look of your entire room at once. The price of a backsplash varies depending on material and size—some options, such as a small ceramic tile backsplash cost as little as $120, while a large, stainless steel backsplash could cost as much as $2,700 installed.
Most countertops include a sink cutout, though you must purchase the sink separately. Sink installation costs between $380 and $1,400 for a kitchen sink, and between $280 and $1,200 for a bathroom sink. If you’re removing an existing countertop to install laminate, you’ll have to pay to replace countertops, usually at a rate of $10 to $15 per square foot.
Laminate Countertop Cost per Square Foot
It costs $20 to $80 per square foot to install laminate, including materials and labor. Higher-end laminate and complex kitchen layouts cost more. Laminate countertop materials alone can cost anywhere from $10 to $50 per square foot. The price also depends on the brand.
| Laminate Brand | Cost per Square Foot |
|---|---|
| Arborite | $10–$30 |
| Pionite | $10–$30 |
| Formica | $10–$40 |
| Wilsonart | $20–$40 |
Laminate Countertop Costs by Room
You can install laminate countertops in various rooms throughout the home, including bathrooms and both indoor and outdoor kitchens. Prices will vary between each space based on the average size of the countertop and the specific considerations these different settings require.
Kitchen
Laminate kitchen countertops cost between $600 and $3,200 on average, factoring in both materials and installation. The higher costs are due to the amount of space kitchen countertops use up. Most kitchens have 30 to 40 square feet of countertops, depending on the kitchen size and whether it has an island or peninsula. The cost to remodel a kitchen also increases if you install a sink or backsplash.
Bathroom
Laminate bathroom countertops cost $120 to $960 on average. Most bathrooms only need between six and 12 square feet of counter space, depending on whether it’s a main or guest bathroom. Laminate bathroom countertops must also be high quality and resist moisture and delamination. Consider these factors as you estimate the cost to remodel a bathroom.
Outdoor
If you’re installing laminate countertops in an outdoor kitchen, expect to pay $600 to $3,200 on average. Like in bathrooms, outdoor laminate countertops need to be able to handle moisture to ensure you’re not paying for laminate countertop repair prematurely. You can help them last longer by installing them in a covered or protected area, such as beneath a pavilion or on a covered porch.
Laminate Countertop Cost by Location
The cost to install laminate countertops ranges depending on the local material costs and labor prices in your region.
| U.S. City | Average Price Range to Install Laminate Countertops |
|---|---|
| Chicago, IL | $1,200–$1,920 |
| Dallas, TX | $1,020–$1,640 |
| Denver, CO | $1,110–$1,760 |
| Detroit, MI | $1,020–$1,640 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $1,440–$2,280 |
| New York, NY | $1,560–$2,520 |
| Phoenix, AZ | $1,050–$1,680 |
| Raleigh, NC | $1,020–$1,640 |
Pros and Cons of Laminate Countertops
Laminate countertops come with their fair share of pros and cons. Read below to gauge whether this countertop material is right for your home and needs.
Pros of Laminate Countertops
Affordable materials and installation labor compared to other materials
Simple installation that can be done as a DIY with the right experience
Low maintenance with no required sealing or special cleaners
Able to resist scratches, scuffs, and bacteria
Cons of Laminate Countertops
Crack easily, especially around the edges
Can warp and bubble on the surface when exposed to excess moisture
Don’t have the same depth of appearance as wood or stone
Don’t add to your home resale value
Not eco-friendly and can’t be recycled
Shorter life span than other countertop materials
Budgeting for Laminate Countertop Installation
Laminate countertops are a less expensive material option than granite or concrete, but they can still be a substantial investment. Here are a few ways to reduce the cost of this project:
Buy prefabricated sections of countertops to save money on custom laminate cuts.
Remove your old countertop yourself to save a few hundred dollars on professional countertop removal costs.
Compare costs and features between various brands of laminate countertops to save money per square foot.
Reduce costs further by choosing simpler edging (or sticking with the standard square edge that comes with your countertop).
How HomeAdvisor Gets Its Cost Data
No place is more important than your home, which is why HomeAdvisor connects homeowners with local pros to transform their houses into homes they love. To help homeowners prepare for their next project, HomeAdvisor provides readers with accurate cost data and follows strict editorial guidelines. We surveyed thousands of real customers about their project costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We pair this data with research from reputable sources, including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, academic journals, market studies, and interviews with industry experts—all to ensure our prices reflect real-world projects.
Frequently Asked Questions
With proper installation and maintenance over time, your laminate countertops should last between 10 and 20 years before they need to be replaced.
Yes, you can put laminate over laminate countertops, but it requires preparing the surface and carefully applying the new laminate. Precision and time are essential to installing laminate countertops that look beautiful and last with everyday use.
Yes, laminate countertops are less expensive than granite countertops by about $30 to $40 per square foot. The cost of labor to install granite is also more expensive due to the weight of the material. Installing granite countertops costs $45 to $100 per hour, while installing laminate countertops ranges from $30 to $40 per hour.
Formica is a brand of laminate countertops. Premium edges like Formica IdealEdge and premium finishes like Crystal and Natural Grain can increase the price of materials. Formica has two top-selling lines: the 180fx (a marble pattern) and Premiumfx (available in five finishes). Other popular manufacturers of laminate countertops include Pionite and Wilsonart.
You can paint, tile, or put a layer of concrete over your laminate countertops if you don’t want to remove them. Take caution with these projects to ensure the final result is smooth and holds up to everyday wear and tear.
You can apply a homemade cleaning solution to remove stains from laminate countertops. Mix baking soda and water to create a paste, then leave it on the stain for about five minutes. Don’t scrub the paste, as baking soda is abrasive. Remove the paste using a soft, damp cloth. Repeat this process as often as needed if the stain isn’t gone after your first try.
