subject: Bathroom Countertops [print this page] Bathroom Countertops Bathroom Countertops
I hope I can give you a few ideas that will help to make your bathroom unique and stylish.
Here are some suggestions:
Marbles - There are a few choices which work in bathrooms, but aren't a good idea for a kitchen. These are cultured marble (very inexpensive, but usually pre-made to standard sizes and may not fit your circumstance); onyx (very pretty); and marble. Marble looks elegant, is functional, and comes in a wide range of colors.
These materials would not stand up to the level of use associated with a kitchen, but hold up well in bathrooms. Onyx is translucent, so light coming from one side will make it appear to glow on the other side. This could work well as a window sill or shelf near a window where it will get the light. Another way to use the translucent quality of onyx is to create a small box with a night light in it.
Woods - Most experts will tell you NOT to put wood in your bathroom since moisture can damage it. Well, if you really want wood in your bathroom, keep in mind that there are exceptions to every rule. Remember, in the 1800s they used to make boats out of wood.
You just need to know which wood to use. Teak, Rosewood and Brazilian Epi are extremely dense and oily (and expensive) woods that will hold up just fine. Even some of the harder of the common woods (like Oak and hard Maple) will work if you treat them with a coat of marine varnish.
Watch out for the Epi. I've seen guys try to hammer nails into it and have the nail bounce back into their chest because the wood is so dense. Pre-drill the holes, and use screws. This stuff is also very good for outdoor furniture.
Another alternative is Bamboo (although technically a grass, not a wood). Bamboo is very fibrous and prone to giving off little-itty-bitty splinters. But it's very pretty (if you like that look), so just make sure it's well sanded and coated with varnish after you put it in. I prefer the "satin" varnish rather than the "gloss." Just a personal preference.
Laminates - Many people have plastic laminate bathroom countertops, but (like kitchens) they are not pretty once the moisture gets between the layers, causing expansion and separation.
So if your budget dictates that you use a laminate, make sure you use a drop-in sink and it gets caulked properly. They will also show scratches. Keep sharp things away from the kids.
Glass - Most people think of something clear and thin when they hear someone mention glass. Glass is available is various thickness, up to 1". It could be given a rounded edge, can be cut to any shape, can be cut out for a sink, and is available in a variety of tinted shades as well as milky white. You could also layer multiple pieces to create unique coloring and edge details.
Glass could be a very interesting element in a bathroom. If you're seriously considering a glass countertop for your bathroom, you should have a template made first so you can see what the piece will look like before you actually have the piece cut.
This will also make the supplier more comfortable, knowing that you've approved the size and shape before he cuts the glass. Make sure you get it "tempered" by the supplier. That way your glass will be break-resistant (but not unbreakable).
Granite (and Simulated Stone) - You have no maintenance concerns with any of these. And you will have more edges to choose from than with laminates. If you're in this financial ball park, your decision will be based on "look" more than anything else.
The thing that sets granite apart from the simulated, or composite tops, is the graining and veins that are often seen in a natural stone. Manufacturers of the other tops might say they look like the real thing, but the uniformity of pattern makes that claim a pipe dream.
Cleaning these tops - Any of these tops can be cleaned with a mild liquid detergent mixed with water. Corian (and other solid surface) tops usually come with a kit so that if they get scratched or stained, you can restore them with the compound in the kit and a "scotch-bright" pad.
Never use anything abrasive on any tops other than the solid surface tops. I can't think of anything else to tell you, but that doesn't mean I thought of everything. The best idea is to shop extensively before buying.
