Tuesday, September 9, 2014

formica calacatta marble review


Formica has come a long way!
I revealed our Formica 180fx Calacatta Marble counter top back in May, along with
my One Room Challenge Kitchen Reveal. I had intended to do a follow up post on
the counter top right away, but decided to live with it for a few months before giving
 my opinion. After four months here's what I think: I could not LOVE it more!!
Everyone that's seen it comments how realistic it appears and then proceeds to feels it.


If you're not familiar with Formica's 180fx product you're in for a surprise. Technology
 and nature merged to create the first laminate with large scale patterns that replicates the
depth and realism of stone at an affordable price. The effect is achieved by digitally
 photographing the highest quality pieces of stone.

 

Our island is 11' x 5' at the longest and widest points and there is NO seam!
 That was a huge selling point for me, the sheets of laminate are 12' x 5'.


What sealed the deal was the availability of the IdealEdge. It mimics the decorative Ogee and Bullnose profiles found on more expensive stones,
 and eliminates the brown seams previously associated with laminate counters.
 I chose the Bullnose edge to coordinate with the profile on the existing granite in the
 rest of my kitchen.
 

It has lived up to the durable, easy to maintain, stain and impact resistant claims.
We've spilled red wine, mustard, BBQ sauce, red sauce, paint - nothing has left a trace of a
stain. I'm just not careful with it, if I want to bust out a messy project, I do. I've used it for
large projects with glue smeared all over it and everything has come right up. I've used the
magic eraser and abrasive scratch pad. Short of actually cutting on it (which you can't do)
I feel like we've given it a very good test.

I was hesitant about one item, there are little tiny divots in the laminate and I wasn't sure
 about them when I first looked at the sample. Different lighting highlighted them, and they
 gave off a shine. I made all my design savvy friends check them out and we all agreed they
 would be ok. I'm so glad I didn't let that hold me back. I don't even notice them at all, you'd
 have to be looking for them in a certain specific light to pick up on it. Also, they were less
 noticeable in the older, used sample I checked out from Lowes.

The Price??
The real deal would have been about $6,000 for our island,
the Formica Calacatta Marble was approximately $1,300.
Of course, prices will vary depending on fabricators in your area and the specifics
of your project.

I couldn't be happier with it, it truly is a great representation of a real marble pattern
 without the worry of maintenance and at an incredible price!


74 comments:

Kim said...

So glad you still love it ... it looks amazing Pam!

Dana Frieling said...

I just pitched this to my client...no bite though. I need to show them your post!

Sonny G said...

If this dang granite in my kitchen wasnt new I'd have it ripped out and have what you choose put in,, in a heartbeat.. Its absolutely beautiful AND something priced so that if in 10 years you're sick of it, can be replaced..

I feel like I am hung to this granite with no ability to change it and that doesnt suit my personality.

Cassie Bustamante said...

so glad it worked out so well for you and saved you so much money!!! that's awesome!

Anonymous said...

Pam, looks beautiful. I live in Denver, too. Could you tell me where you bought your Formica so I can go check out the product?

Kris @ Driven by Décor said...

Thanks for sharing your experience - I love the look of marble but don't know if I'd be happy with it in the kitchen due to the staining and etching issues. So great to know about this alternative!

Denise Greenwood said...

I love it and I'm happy to know the size of the sheets - thanks for sharing that! We have old laminate now, and would love to upgrade - but don't want to spend the extra on stone - the one thing I hate most about the laminate is the seam. This just might have moved a little higher up the list. Looks great Pam!

SHERRY HART said...

It looks so much like real stone! I am glad it has held up well for you. Love you kitchen makeover:)

Anonymous said...

So very refreshing to have a blogger actually live with a product before they do a review. I'm so leery of those that make claims about how wonderful something is when they haven't even lived with it (especially on sponsored posts). This post really gives you a lot of credibility and I'm sure your readers appreciate it. I've looked at the Formica 180fx line for two years now. It looks amazing and comes in some many wonderful options. Now I know it preforms well, too. Thank you!

Marty@A Stroll Thru Life said...

It looks incredible. Love your kitchen

Kristin@bliss-athome.com said...

Wow! You saved a lot of money going that route! xoxo

Shannadu said...

Thank you for sharing the update! I am dying to redo my kitchen counters in white marble, but it's cost prohibitive at this point, so I'm super stoked that there is a viable, tried-and-tested alternative out there. I just ordered a sample, fingers crossed!

Teresa P said...

Pam,
Your kitchen looks gorgeous and the island looks amazing. We are in the process of countertop shopping and talk about sticker shock. I love the look of marble and each time the salesperson steers me away from it because of staining and chipping issues. Your post came at a great time as I will definitely be looking into this product as an alternative option.

Carol@6WilsonBlog.com said...

Hi Pam, I still love what you did!! You and I both did formica for the ORC and I love mine (I can't remember the name, but it's a soapstone/slate look-alike). With all the fuss over marbles and granites in the past decade, laminates have been so dismissed (by me included), looked at down the nose of so many, but the reality is, you just can't beat it for budget, durability, and now good looks, too. It is a great alternative to a long term look commitment, like one of your commentors said above. Mine will keep me super happy until we finally get to our kitchen reno in a few years. Great, great kitchen ;-)

Vel Criste said...

Great Review Pam! I wish i went with it rather than my marble. Yup, my island is not in it's best shape already only after a year, water stains it even! Uggghh! It's driving me nuts!

My Little Bungalow said...

This is fascinating, Pam. I never would have guessed that Formica would look like this. Your counter looks amazing. I am going to have to investigate this product further as an option for our kitchen. Thanks so much for sharing!
Claudia

Elizabeth @ The Little Black Door said...

I'm so glad you did this post. As you know I've been talking that countertop up, and now I've got even more amo to back up my case. :) It really does look great.

Anonymous said...

It looks fantastic. I will definitely check this product out. Thanks for sharing beautiful and more affordable options in our décor. It is very much appreciated.

Trisha Wray said...

It is gorgeous! I've beed DYING for you to post this review -after I saw it in your ORC reveal I was so intrigued. I'd love to see a close up shot of the edge and maybe the tiny divots you referred to.

Jennifer@The Chronicles of Home said...

I can't get over how realistic it looks. So great that it's performing so well, too - I definitely do not have time for high maintenance counters in my kitchen!

Julie said...

This is such a great solution, Pam. And you gave us all a lot of valuable information about this product. I just LOVE your kitchen! Gorgeous!

Shirley@Housepitality Designs said...

Wow...that countertop is a beauty!....I have faux granite formica in my laundry room and wanting to replace it...Love that countertop!...

Unknown said...

Great review Pam. I have white formica and I love it. I have wanted marble and granite but the cost has held me back, this is very reassuring and something I will definitely consider. It looks fabulous and I know how hardy it is, I have tortured mine and they still look great. xo Nancy

Thirkellgirl said...

I have a black "mineral effect" Formica in my new Ikea kitchen, and I love it. It was intended to be a temporary countertop until I bit the bullet on honed marble (I, too, was discouraged by salespeople) but I'm perfectly satisfied with it. It's easy to clean, it shows no scratches or marks even if I bang a pickle jar on it, and everyone who comes into my kitchen assumes it's granite. If I ever do replace it I'd go with what you have.

Julia@Cuckoo4Design said...

It looks so good

Kelly said...

Just beautiful! So good to know that you don't have to go 'without' if you don't have the budget for real marble!

pam {simple details} said...

MichelleAnn - Sorry there wasn't an email attached to your comment. You can get it through Lowes, they have samples in the store you can check out as well. Good luck!

Unknown said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Unknown said...

I was so excited to find your blog on pinterest! Your kitchen is gorgeous! We are getting the same laminate for our kitchen and I noticed that you said there are no brown seams on your island. I just want to make sure I understand that there are no seams at all? My laminate on my island now has no seam on the longer ends but does on the two short ends. Could you please let me know for sure.
I don't think it would change my mind it it does have seams, but it would be such a bonus if it didn't!
Thank you so much for your review!

pam {simple details} said...

Thanks Robyn - correct NO seams as all. Just to confirm, I'm talking about the top, the sheets come in 12' lengths x 5' width, so as long as your project fits within that parameter there wouldn't be a seam. There are seams around the edge where the Ideal Edge meets the top. Good luck!

Unknown said...

Lovely. When we moved to a new housing area and everyone was getting granite counter tops, a friend of mine chose laminate. She said, "I can change my mind and redecorate a lot of times for the cost of granite counter tops." She was right. Now that we are in a different home and looking at remodels, I'm considering options that are beautiful and much less costly. Expensive options are much less important to me now. Trends change so fast.

Lisa @ Texas Decor said...

I love your counters! I really want to do something like this in our kitchen. I just ordered a sample of the Calacatta marble formica and was wondering which finish you chose? Did you get the "honed" finish for your formica calacatta marble? Thanks!

Unknown said...

I have picked out the same calacatta marble pattern. My contractor will not do the ideal edge... he wants to do a wood edge. Have you had any issues with yours?

Unknown said...

I have picked out the same calacatta marble pattern. My contractor will not do the ideal edge... he wants to do a wood edge. Have you had any issues with yours?

Unknown said...

I have picked out the same calacatta marble pattern. My contractor will not do the ideal edge... he wants to do a wood edge. Have you had any issues with yours?

pam {simple details} said...

Hi Sara,

I haven't had any trouble at all, it looks exactly the same as the day it was installed. The Ideal Edge was put on at the fabricators, the installer didn't have to do anything. I went with it because I wanted to mimic the look of real marble as close as possible, if that's what you're hoping for you wouldn't achieve that same look with a wood edge. Good luck!

pam {simple details} said...

Sara, another thought - you might contact Formica directly (they're very helpful) and ask questions if your contractor has some concerns. Or if he doesn't feel comfortable with the installation they could direct you to other local installers.

G said...

I love this countertop and am planning to put it in my kitchen. Did you do the gloss or etchings finish?

Unknown said...

Hi Pam,
Love it! Could you post a close up of the edge seam please? Does it bother you?

Unknown said...

Pretty! I assume you cannot put a hot pot down on it...correct?

mg said...

Looks beautiful, is this the glossy or matte calacatta?

pam {simple details} said...

Hi friends -
1 - I have the Etchings (46) finish not Gloss (90).
2 - Correct, you can't put a hot pot on it.
3 - No, the edge seam doesn't bother me at all.

Thanks!

Unknown said...

I'm in this process and wondered if this is etched finish or glossy - I just can't decide. Yours is BEAUTIFUL!

pam {simple details} said...

Hi Linda, thanks so much!! My finish is Etchings (46) not Gloss (90).

Unknown said...

THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!! I have had restless nights wondering which marble to go with,Wilsonart, Formica, etc.; which pattern did I want?? With our 9' island how much of the pattern would repeat, etc. What finish did I want? I put the order in today with the 46 finish, and the Calacatta Marble. I think I can sleep AND salvage my marriage. Ha Ha. Thank you for the pictures, and the affirmation.

Ang#1 said...

Please tell me where I can locate this brand of laminate countertops. I love this.

pam {simple details} said...

Hi Ang - Lowes carries this line, they also have samples you can check out to try at home. Good luck with your project!

Jill said...

Just found your kitchen re-do post from a link to Driven By Decor. Your island counter top is beautiful and the pictures really show off the variations in the Calcutta pattern. (There currently is a Formica ad on TV extolling the "new Formica" and how it can be used all around the home). I really get aggravated at all the "put downs" laminate counters receive - only a temporary solution, cheapens your home, not durable, etc. I have had laminate counters in all my houses over a number of years (age giveaway - I still call them all Formica). We put a large pattern marble type pattern in tans and whites in a home we built in 1966, I wanted Corian but at 50 cents a running foot (then price and a tiny fraction of what it costs now) but it was more than we could spend so I chose a lovely Formica. We were in that house 13 years and the counters looked like new when we sold it. One home was 35 years old when purchased with the original white matte laminate counters that were pristine and looked the same when sold 10 years later. The home I recently sold had custom (extra deep edge) butcher block in matte finish. The house was 24 years old when purchased, sold 11 years later and again the counters were like new. Used a smaller marble/granite pattern that is white with tan and greys in a photo realistic patternin in my new kitchen. My counters have been cleaned with everything from 409, Comet to SOS pads. Every thing just comes off them. Only dont's - never cut on them directly and never put hot pans on them. Remember this and they last for YEARS. Love real marble, honed black granite and slate but price is way out of my budget and real marble is a pain to keep up. Your whole kitchen up-date is just lovely and a true inspiration to home owners, dated Tuscan kitchens beware! Thanks for sharing.

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Monica said...

Wow, it looks amazing and my OTG Oven with this marble décor build my dream kitchen

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