When I started out in the remodeling business over 30 years ago, I installed more than my share of plastic laminate countertops. While not considered the most attractive or natural looking material for countertops, plastic laminate had the twin virtues of being both durable and inexpensive.

With the rise in popularity of another plastic based countertop material—solid surface, often known by the trade name Corian®—along with improved manufacturing techniques for natural stone such as granite, it looked like plastic laminate’s days were numbered. But since solid surface and natural stone remain much more expensive, plastic laminate is still the countertop material of choice for millions of homeowners on a limited budget.

All that has changed in the past few years, however, due to the introduction of new plastic laminate patterns and edge profiles that are hard to distinguish from real stone. From compound curves on edges to more natural looking patterns, plastic laminate countertops are more attractive than ever.

The latest and most realistic looking plastic laminate product I’ve come across is Formica 180fx, which replicates the look of real natural stone. Available in a range of patterns and colors, Formica 180fx is made from photographic reproductions of actual slabs of granite, and mark the next generation in the evolution of plastic laminate countertop materials for your kitchen.

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Danny Lipford

Founder

Danny Lipford is a home improvement expert and television personality who started his remodeling business, Lipford Construction, at the age of 21 in Mobile, Alabama. He gained national recognition as the host of the nationally syndicated television show, Today's Homeowner with Danny Lipford, which started as a small cable show in Mobile. Danny's expertise in home improvement has also led him to be a contributor to popular magazines and websites and the go-to source for advice on everything related to the home. He has made over 200 national television appearances and served as the home improvement expert for CBS's The Early Show and The Weather Channel for over a decade. Danny is also the founder of 3 Echoes Content Studio, TodaysHomeowner.com, and Checking In With Chelsea, a décor and lifestyle blog.

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