Property Brothers Say Laminate Countertops Hurt Resale Value

After renovating hundreds of kitchens, Jonathan and Drew Scott say the kitchen is the key to the home and not a room to cut corners. Laminate countertops may save money up front but can create long-term resale drawbacks. Laminate, the twins warn, can make a kitchen look instantly dated and signal an immediate upgrade to future homebuyers.

"I can't think of a single kitchen design where laminate would look better than stone, butcher block, or a solid surface like Corian," Jonathan said. "Yes, laminate is cheaper, but in many cases, you can actually take value away from a house by installing it." Buyers often view laminate as a cue that replacement is needed, which can prompt negotiations to lower the sale price to cover renovation hassle.

New countertops may be among the higher-priced items in a kitchen, and splurging on the front end can benefit the back end. "It frustrates me to no end when people spend their budget on a product, like laminate, that automatically seems dated—it’s like throwing money away!

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