Are Thinscape Countertops Worth Installing? Here's What Real Reviews Say

Gorgeous, high-quality countertops are one of those home elements everyone agrees on. Natural stone countertops are durable, look great, and increase property values as long as they are properly maintained. However, natural stone materials like marble can be high maintenance, and their high price point puts them out of reach for many. Plenty of alternatives promise the benefits of luxury countertops while being less maintenance and a fraction of the price. One such product is the Thinscape Performance Tops line from Wilsonart. 

Boasting a 'European-inspired' thin profile of just ½ inch thick, these modern countertops are sans substrate but claim to be a durable alternative to their thicker countertop competitors — holding up well to weight while being resistant to moisture, scratches, heat, and stains. Thinscape counters come in 28 designs engineered from composite materials, including natural stone, wood, and metal styles. They don't require sealing, are easy to cut to size, and are simple to install — just attach them to cabinets with an adhesive (no screws necessary). Best of all? They average around $35 per square foot, which is much less than many other countertop materials.

But what do real people say about it? That's what we wanted to find out. We scoured the internet in search of real reviews detailing how Thinscape countertops hold up to installation and daily use. The Home Depot website has 151 customer reviews of Thinscape countertops, and of those, 65% recommend them, with the site reporting an overall 3.9-star customer rating out of five. According to the reviews, there is a lot to love about Thinscape countertops, as well as a few things that need improvement.

Let's start with the pros. Many praise Thinscape countertops for being very easy to work with, saying they made a DIY countertop remodel a less daunting task. One self-proclaimed amateur DIYer said he appreciated the instructional installation video and was able to cut the countertops to size himself using a circular saw and jigsaw. Others mention that the countertop panels are lightweight compared to other brands, allowing installation to be a one-person job. 

Another feature Thinscape gets right is the look. Reviewers appreciate the aesthetic value of the engineered composite designs, saying the countertop panels look great, even exceeding the expectations of many. One reviewer commented that the Thinscape countertops looked better than anything else in stock at the hardware store. If you are wondering how the countertops' slimmer profile affects their quality, reviews will put your mind at ease, widely agreeing that they are durable and high-quality. One person said they look like better quality than their Onyx countertops. 

The biggest complaint with Thinscape countertops? Delivery. Most negative reviews report product damage from shipping, and they have plenty of photos to back up their claims. Cracked panels, split corners, and chipped edges are common. Many reviewers reported that their countertops were delivered in cardboard boxes with nothing more than corner supports. Still, even in their one and two-star reviews, customers say they are satisfied with the overall quality and look of the countertops. But they explain that they had to exchange some panels — sometimes multiple times — before receiving a full set of usable countertops.

When it comes to finding budget-friendly countertops for your home, engineered composite countertops like Thinscape are a great option. They are made from a combination of various materials, which can include recycled glass, quartz, recycled paper products, and other natural and synthetic materials. Like laminate countertops, engineered composite counters can resemble an array of popular materials while being more durable than laminate, but laminate countertops will win out on price.

If you're shopping for budget-friendly countertops, make sure to do your research to find the right choice for your lifestyle and price point. For a great starting point, check out our list of the most affordable countertop materials people actually buy. Also, consider what your installation method will be, choosing a DIY-friendly countertop material if you will be installing it yourself, such as laminate, butcher block, ceramic tile, or engineered composite. Based on customer reviews, Thinscape countertops are a great option for homeowners wanting to upgrade their kitchen or bathroom themselves, as long as they can find the countertops in-store.