subject: Bathroom Countertops - Info [print this page] Bathroom Countertops - Info Bathroom Countertops - Info
Today's innovative bathroom countertops come in a plethora of options. Not only do they look great, they stand up to a different kind of abuse than kitchen counters. Hot curling irons, nail polish and polish remover spills are considerations to contemplate before choosing a top for your remodel or new home project. Selecting a material that is extremely durable, low maintenance, looks awesome, and is affordable all rolled into one can be a tall order, but with the incredible choices on the current market you can find so many you love it will be a hard decision to make.
Granite is normally the optimal choice for traditional baths. It is available in a variety of combinations of shades and finishes. Honed granite has a soft matte finish; polished is very shiny and darkens the look of the stone; and satin is somewhere between the polished and honed. While granite usually costs more, the prices depend on size, finish, color, and the stone's origin.
Soapstone, limestone, and marble are soft, porous natural stones and more easily stained. They are also more fragile and higher maintenance. Rather than installing them in bathrooms used for constant personal care, guest baths and powder rooms are a better choice. No matter where a stone countertop is installed, they need to be sealed on a regular basis per the manufacturers recommendations. Engineered stone counters are available in a wider array of colors than stone, are much more durable, and require zero maintenance--other than normal cleaning. Engineered stone will not save any money over granite, though. They both cost about the same.
Solid surface is a newer, trendy choice for bathroom countertops. They are becoming the most popular because of the optional integral sink which makes cleaning a breeze. The color choices are endless, it resists stains, is seamless, and scratches and scuffs buff right out. The one downfall is curlers and curling irons can scorch the surface. Composite marble made from polyester resin and marble comes in glossy finish, or matte finish that looks like solid surface. It is not as durable as solid surface, but is an excellent option on a tight budget.
You can get very creative with concrete bathroom countertops, but they require a lot of care in the form of waxing every 2-3 months and an annual sealing. Wood countertops are easily water damaged. Laminate is the most affordable, comes in a wide variety of designs and colors and is relatively maintenance-free, but is another that is easily scorched by curling irons. Tempered glass looks awesome in a modern bathroom, but probably is not the best option for high-traffic areas.
Constant washing to remove water spots and fingerprints becomes quite tedious. Tiles are rarely used because of the continuous grout line maintenance; however, some really gorgeous patterns can be created with designer tiles.
