- The bathroom countertop can make just as much a statement as the fixtures or colors.Contemporary Bathroom image by Ritu Jethani from Fotolia.com
Bathroom countertops are available in so many different materials that it can almost become more trouble than it's worth just to try to decide which is best suited for your needs. Many people can instantly eliminate certain counter materials like solid granite and marble because of the prohibitive cost. Other materials contain different disadvantages. - The basic disadvantage of solid granite is that it is very costly, but you can significantly lower the price by going with 12-by-12 inch granite tiles. Either option provides the advantage of durability and good looks. Granite countertops are available in both plain matte finish and variegated crystalline structure, according to "Bathroom Idea File."
- Ceramic tile offers the potential for an almost endless possibility of patterns and colors. This makes ceramic tile countertops perfect for those for those who consider personalization of their bathroom a top priority. The major disadvantages are that it can crack and chip fairly easily and the grout can stain.
- Laminate countertops are preferred for bathrooms because they are more affordable than other types of material and offer the advantage of being low-maintenance. Chipping is possible, but the potential can be reduced by investing in higher grades of material. Exposure to water over time can eventually result in the glue dissolving and the subsurface warping.
- Concrete countertops are especially well suited to a bathroom with a contemporary décor. Personalizing concrete counters can be accomplished by embedding decorative effects from coins to mosaic tiles to create truly one-of-a-kind countertops. The potential for staining is the biggest disadvantage of concrete counters, and they must be sealed regularly to keep it from absorbing moisture.
- Marble is a slightly less expensive alternative to granite, but comes with the same potential for cracks and fractures. Marble is also less resistant to stains and scratches than granite. One advantage offered by adding marble is that using it for even a small countertop can lend a bathroom a very dynamic and elegant touch.
- Engineered quartz is a more affordable alternative for those wanting the instant elegance of granite or marble. This countertop material is created from bound polymers that provide a close approximation of the weight and appearance of granite, but it requires no sealing and is less likely to stain. Quartz may also be less susceptible to fracturing and chipping.
- Glass countertops are not recommended for families with young children or inside an active bathroom shared by several people at once. Glass countertops are available in sheets that range in thickness from a quarter-inch to an inch. Most counters are rectangular, but can be cut to customized shapes. Glass countertops add a sleekly modern feel to a bathroom, but at the price of being easily scratched and showing fingerprints.
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