Countertop Materials
Broadway Millwork & Construction helps Saskatchewan businesses choose the right commercial countertop material for their space. Whether you run a dental clinic, a restaurant, or a corporate office, the countertop you pick affects how your space looks, how long it lasts, and how much you spend on maintenance.
This guide breaks down the three most common commercial countertop materials: laminate, solid surface, and quartz. We cover the real differences in cost, durability, and maintenance so you can make a confident decision for your next project.
Not sure which material fits your business? Get a free consultation from our team. We have been helping Saskatchewan businesses choose the right countertop materials for over 30 years.
Laminate Countertops for Commercial Use
Laminate countertops are the most budget-friendly option for commercial spaces. They are made from layers of kraft paper bonded with resin, topped with a decorative layer, and finished with a protective melamine surface. Modern commercial-grade laminate is a far cry from what you may remember from the 1990s. Today’s products offer realistic stone, wood, and solid colour finishes that hold up well in busy environments.
Broadway Millwork sources commercial-grade laminate from brands like Formica, Wilsonart, and Arborite. These products are built to handle daily wear in offices, clinics, and retail spaces across Saskatoon and Saskatchewan.
Where laminate works best:
Laminate is a strong choice for corporate office spaces like breakrooms, mailrooms, and general workstations. It also works well in education settings where budgets are tight and countertops need to cover large areas. Retail checkout counters and back-of-house prep areas are other common applications.
What to know before choosing laminate:
Laminate countertops cannot be repaired if they chip or delaminate. Seams are visible, and edges need separate treatments like post-form curves or applied edge banding. They do not handle standing water well over time, so they are not ideal for areas where spills sit for long periods. Heat resistance is limited compared to solid surface and quartz.
That said, the cost savings are hard to ignore. For businesses that need to cover a lot of surface area on a fixed budget, commercial-grade laminate delivers solid performance at a fraction of the price of other materials.
Solid Surface Countertops
Solid surface countertops are made from a blend of acrylic or polyester resins and natural minerals. Brands like Corian, LG Hi-Macs, and Staron are the most widely used in commercial projects. The biggest advantage of solid surface is that it can be shaped, joined, and repaired in ways that other materials simply cannot.
Broadway Millwork fabricates and installs solid surface countertops for healthcare facilities, restaurants, and corporate offices across Saskatchewan. Our CNC manufacturing equipment allows us to cut, shape, and finish solid surface material with precision.
Where solid surface works best:
Solid surface is the go-to material for medical and dental offices because seams can be made virtually invisible. That means fewer places for bacteria to collect. Sinks can be integrated directly into the countertop, creating a single continuous surface that is easy to clean and disinfect.
Restaurants and food service businesses also benefit from solid surface. It meets food-safe standards, resists stains from most common kitchen products, and can be sanded and refinished if scratches appear over time.
Reception desks are another popular application. Because solid surface can be thermoformed into curves and custom shapes, it gives reception desk designs a clean, modern look that laminate and quartz cannot match.
What to know before choosing solid surface:
Solid surface is not as hard as quartz. It can scratch more easily, especially in high-traffic areas. It is also not heat-resistant enough for direct contact with hot pots or pans, so trivets or heat pads are necessary in kitchen environments.
The cost falls in the mid-range between laminate and quartz. For businesses that need seamless surfaces, repairability, and custom shapes, solid surface offers a balance of performance and flexibility that is hard to beat.
Quartz Countertops for High-Traffic Areas
Quartz countertops are engineered stone made from roughly 90 to 94 percent ground natural quartz, combined with polymer resins and pigments. Brands like Caesarstone, Cambria, and Silestone produce commercial-grade products that are extremely hard and resistant to scratching, staining, and impact.
Broadway Millwork installs quartz countertops in commercial spaces across Saskatoon and Saskatchewan where durability is the top priority.
Where quartz works best:
Quartz is the strongest countertop option on this list. That makes it a natural fit for high-traffic commercial environments like busy restaurant service counters, retail display areas, and corporate kitchen or breakroom spaces where surfaces take daily abuse.
Quartz is also non-porous, which means it does not need to be sealed. Spills from coffee, wine, cleaning products, and food colouring wipe up without staining. This is a major advantage in any food service or healthcare application.
What to know before choosing quartz:
Quartz is the most expensive option of the three materials covered here. It is also heavier, which may require additional structural support in some installations. Seams are visible and cannot be blended the way solid surface seams can. Custom shapes and curves are limited compared to solid surface.
Quartz is also sensitive to prolonged UV exposure. In spaces with large windows and direct sunlight, some quartz colours may shift over time. For most interior commercial applications, this is not an issue.
If your priority is raw durability and low maintenance, quartz is the material to consider. It costs more upfront, but the long lifespan and minimal upkeep often make it the most cost-effective choice over 10 to 15 years.
Cost vs. Durability Analysis
Choosing a countertop material comes down to balancing your budget against how long you need the surface to last and how much maintenance you are willing to do.
Laminate costs the least per square foot. Expect to pay roughly 30 to 50 percent less than solid surface, and 50 to 70 percent less than quartz, depending on the product line and edge treatment. Laminate typically lasts 10 to 15 years in a commercial environment before showing significant wear. It cannot be repaired or refinished, so replacement is the only option when it wears out.
Solid surface falls in the middle for both cost and lifespan. It typically lasts 15 to 25 years in commercial use, and minor damage like scratches and scuffs can be sanded out and refinished without replacing the countertop. That repairability extends the effective life of the material and reduces long-term costs.
Quartz has the highest upfront cost but also the longest lifespan. With proper care, quartz countertops last 25 years or more in commercial settings. Because the surface is non-porous and extremely hard, maintenance costs are minimal over the life of the countertop.
Broadway Millwork helps businesses evaluate total cost of ownership, not just the sticker price. A countertop that costs more to install but lasts twice as long and needs no repairs can save your business money over time. We walk you through the numbers during your free consultation so there are no surprises.
For a deeper look at how material choice affects your cabinets, read our commercial-grade cabinet materials guide. If you are comparing finishes for cabinetry alongside your countertop selection, our cabinet finishes guide covers paint, stain, and laminate options.
Find Your Perfect Countertop Material
The right countertop material depends on your industry, your budget, and how the surface will be used day to day. Here is a quick summary to help you narrow it down.
Choose laminate if you need to cover a large area on a tight budget, and the countertop will not be exposed to heavy moisture or heat. Offices, schools, and retail checkout counters are typical laminate applications.
Choose solid surface if you need seamless, easy-to-clean surfaces with custom shapes or integrated sinks. Medical offices, dental clinics, and reception areas are the most common solid surface projects we build.
Choose quartz if you need maximum durability and stain resistance in a high-traffic space. Restaurants, corporate kitchens, and retail environments where countertops take a beating are ideal for quartz.
Broadway Millwork & Construction manufactures and installs all three countertop materials for commercial clients across Saskatchewan. We bring samples to your site, walk you through the pros and cons for your specific application, and provide a detailed quote with no obligation.
Call us at (306) 975-2020 or request a free quote online to get started.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most durable countertop material for commercial use?
Quartz is the most durable commercial countertop material. It resists scratches, stains, and impact better than laminate or solid surface. Quartz countertops typically last 25 years or more in high-traffic commercial settings with minimal maintenance.
Can solid surface countertops be repaired if they get scratched?
Yes. Solid surface materials like Corian and LG Hi-Macs can be sanded and refinished to remove scratches, scuffs, and minor burns. This is one of the biggest advantages of solid surface over laminate and quartz, which cannot be repaired the same way.
Which countertop material is best for a restaurant?
It depends on the application. For food prep and service counters where durability matters most, quartz is the strongest option. For areas where seamless, easy-to-clean surfaces are the priority, solid surface works well. Broadway Millwork helps restaurant owners choose the right material for each area of their space.
How much do commercial countertops cost?
Costs vary based on material, square footage, edge profiles, and installation complexity. Laminate is the most affordable, solid surface falls in the mid-range, and quartz is the highest. Contact Broadway Millwork for a free quote tailored to your project.
Do you install countertops across Saskatchewan?
Yes. Broadway Millwork manufactures countertops at our Saskatoon facility and installs them for commercial clients across Saskatchewan, including Regina, Prince Albert, Moose Jaw, and surrounding communities.
What is the difference between commercial-grade and residential countertop materials?
Commercial-grade countertop materials are manufactured to handle heavier daily use, more frequent cleaning, and higher traffic than residential products. They use thicker substrates, more durable surface treatments, and stronger adhesives. Broadway Millwork only uses commercial-grade products in our projects.
How long does countertop installation take?
Most commercial countertop installations take one to three days, depending on the size and complexity of the project. Broadway Millwork coordinates installation around your business schedule to keep disruption to a minimum.