The largest manufacturer of laminate countertops in the world is Formica. Most often, these are found on bathroom vanities and in the kitchen. Very easy to clean, they are perfect work surfaces due to the non-porous nature of the material. However, they can be chipped, damaged by the high heat of a hot pan, or sliced by a misplaced knife cut.

Over time, this wear-and-tear, or a redecoration calling for a different color, means that home owners consider replacing the old Formica countertop with a new look. Instead of making the expensive decision to replace them with a hard surfaced countertop such as granite, you might want to consider refinishing them instead. The cost of replacing can run 50% higher than the cost of refinishing and it is a quicker and less messy process.