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Laminate countertops have gotten a lot better looking from the day-glo orange days of old, with subtle hues and patterns made to look like natural stone. But you still have to settle for the unsightly black line along the edge of the countertop, which gives away even the most convincing faux designs. Formica's IdealEdge, on display at the International Builders' Show, eliminates the black line by creating a virtually seamless decorative edge on all sides of the countertop.
IdealEdge is available in two profiles—bullnose, which is curved at the top and bottom for a smooth molded look and ogee, which has an angled profile that works particularly well with granite, marble, and other natural stone countertops.
Formica is also unveiling several new patterns that use the latest printing technologies to mimic the most exotic (and priciest) natural stones on the market. That includes Dolce Vita, a silver-gray faux granite with black and white striations (shown), and Silver Travertine, which is a more uniform shade of beige. Both laminate countertops retail for about $12 per square foot uninstalled, including the decorative IdealEdge.
Consumer Reports hasn't tested these particular products, but laminate countertops are included in our current Ratings of countertops, where it's touted for its low cost, resistance to heat and stains, and ease of installation.
—Daniel DiClerico
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