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Formica--end result lighter or darker than samples?

14 years ago

I'm trying to decide which Formica countertop to get. Some of the pictures I see of finished products seem lighter than my samples. Not sure if it's the difference in lighting or if it will be lighter for the whole countertop than just a little sample. Anyone notice this with their finished product? Thanks!

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Comments (6)

rhome410
14 years ago
Probably the lighting in the room, or the flash on the camera. I've never noticed any laminate to look particularly lighter or darker than I expected from the sample. It will depend on your particular lighting, I'd think, and also the different lighting during different times of day, and the angle at which you're looking at it...also the amount of sheen on the laminate you choose.
cherigw
14 years ago
no difference here. . .I can lay my 12 x 14 sample (Formica Rosso Granite) on the counter and step back just a little bit and almost can't see it.
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pfmastin
14 years ago
No difference with mine, either. I think it's always hard to translate a sample into a countertop, but the colors were very true from sample to finished product.
okpokesfan
Original Author
14 years ago
Must just be the lighting/flash. Thanks!
southernstitcher
14 years ago
I found some of them actually darker in actual appearance than the sample chips - especially the ones that were patterned with dark splotches.
When you look at a surface on the horizontal at counter height, you are seeing more of a mish mash of the colors in it than when you look dead on. One I was considering looked decidedly darker when I laid out many 8x11 samples they'd sent me. And another had a lot more gray in it than the small sample chip showed.
I think it's very important to narrow it down based on the small chips, then order a bunch of the 8x10 sheets in just those 3 colors, and lay them out everywhere. Then you'll be able to see.
dannie
14 years ago
The above poster has a good suggestion. I had picked out a colour that I loved in the small sample, but I was horrified when I saw it in the full size sheet. It didn't look at all like I pictured a full counter would appear. If you can, follow the suggestion above or find a full size sheet somewhere so you can see what it really looks like.

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