Wayne Boatwright wrote:
> On Wed 02 Dec 2009 07:09:05a, Jean B. told us...
>
>> Wayne Boatwright wrote:
>>> On Tue 01 Dec 2009 07:31:28p, Jean B. told us...
>>>
>>>> Wayne Boatwright wrote:
>>>>> I meant to add that I really like the pattern your mentioned. It's
>>>>> actually rather similar to the laminate surface I have in my present
>>>>> kitchen, at least in color/pattern.
>>>>>
>>>> What is it that you have, Wayne?
>>>>
>>> I don't remember the brand, Jean. We picked it out at the builder's
>>> design center.
>>>
>>> On second thought, it doesn't really look that much like the sample you
>>> pointed out. I do know that it's a premium quality laminate with
>>> color/pattern all the way through. The finish is a low sheen, as
>>> though it were polished to a lustre, and the surface is lightly
>>> textured. When they fabricated the countertop, they made the edge
>>> 2-1/4" tall, making the countertop look quite thick. We have a row of
>>> limestone tile as the backsplash.
>>>
>>> My camera is working again, but it's older and only 2 megapixel
>>> resolution, so this is not the best of pictures, but perhaps it will
>>> give you an idea of what it looks like.
>>>
>>> http://tinypic.com/r/o94d38/6
>>>
>> Ooooo, I LIKE that a lot!
>>
>> More pondering... I just had a wee thought--more about the
>> hardness of some of these counters. Just as I have not had a
>> glossy counter, I also have not had a rock-hard counter. I am
>> used to counters that are a bit forgiving when you put things on
>> them. No, I don't whack things down, but I wonder how careful one
>> must be on other counters?
>>
>
> I've found both Corian and good quality laminates very forgiving. Granite,
> marble, and other stones actually can crack or chip given whatever abuse
> they incur. I use glass protector sheets at strategic places where I would
> expect to move hot pans. The two worst enemies of laminates are extreme
> hehat and knives.
>
It sounds like all surfaces need to be protected in some way. The
only thing I have found to be very attractive thus far, as in I
will get it if it goes with whatever cabinets etc. settle on, is
cork flooring.

--
Jean B.