The wide variety of bathroom countertops offers homeowners a variety of options for designing a truly unique bathroom. A countertop that might not work well in a kitchen can be a good choice in the more forgiving setting of a bathroom.
From the perspective of interior designers, bathroom countertops serve two purposes. They make a statement and subtly complement other finishes in the bathroom. If you choose a more dramatic countertop material, perhaps with lots of texture or a fun color, it could become the focal point of the room, while classic Carrara might be a more subtle match to more interesting tiles elsewhere in the space.
No matter which path you decide to go—declarative or subtle—there are some practical considerations you should be aware of when choosing a bathroom countertop material. Is your priority in choosing a cost-effective material, or do you want a custom made material? Are you happy with the patina and aging of your natural stone, or do you prefer a completely stain-free surface? Just beware: Makeup, hair care products, and anything that contains oil—in other words, a regular on your dresser—can stain natural stone, says Knauf. Meanwhile, tile vanities can add interesting texture, but grout requires maintenance. Wooden bathroom counters are easily damaged by water, so it is imperative to keep them airtight.
This article provides an overview of more pros and cons of popular countertop materials, including quartz, granite and marble, to help you narrow down which countertop material is best for your bathroom, whether you’re doing a full remodel or just refinishing.
One of the most important things to consider when remodeling a kitchen area is the type of countertops you will be using. According to a survey conducted by the National Association of Home Builders, the top job for renovations is a kitchen remodel.
If you are interested in the creative design of marble bathrooms, please check out these two articles we have written in the past:
1. 28 Innovative Ideas and Beautiful Designs for Marble Bathrooms
According to Lindsey Black of Lindsey Black Interiors in Memphis, Tennessee, marble comes in a wide variety to suit almost anyone’s taste and is a classic and timeless choice. You can be bold or subtle. But it will age, and it may stain or etch.
“Marble is my favorite in bathrooms because of its timeless look,” says Blake. “I feel like it can never go wrong, and I personally like how it ages with time and gives the space a ‘lived-in’ feel.”
Naomi Rigas, an interior designer at San Francisco-based Envy Interior Design Studio, agrees that marble is extremely versatile. Depending on whether you choose a light or dark color, or a more or less dramatic grain pattern, a marble countertop can really set the mood in your bathroom.
Be prepared to keep a hand towel nearby to wipe off excess moisture from washing your hands and face, and regular resealing will keep your countertops looking like new for longer, says Rigas.
Natural marble countertops have beautiful colors and patterns, high compressive strength and good physical and chemical properties. Its properties and advantages are:
1. No deformation, high hardness, strong wear resistance.
2. Anti-corrosion, high temperature resistance, maintenance-free.
3. Physically stable, well-organized, free from impact and grain falling off, no burr on the surface, does not affect its plane accuracy, stable material, can guarantee long-term non-deformation, small linear expansion coefficient, high mechanical precision, anti-rust, anti-magnetic, and insulation.
1. The little free cracks are straightforward to shatter because they are naturally occurring. Since stone is a porous substance, it is tough to clean and simple to break if sewage and dirt get within it during production, transit, or construction. When cleaning on a regular basis, it is likely that certain leftovers and looted items may be wiped into cracks and become a breeding habitat for bacteria.
2. Due to the presence of heavy metals during the protracted process of natural stone creation, radiation may be present in varying degrees, which may have an impact on the body but primarily on the mind.
Quartzite looks a lot like marble and comes in a variety of colors. But it’s an extremely dense stone, so it’s more durable than porous alternatives like marble, says Momoko Wong, an interior designer at Naka Interiors in Denver. It’s also very elegant and beautiful, with a dynamic look and a crystalline shine throughout.
Inadequacies? Quartzite tends to be one of the more expensive slates. Purer white crystalline quartzite sells for $10,000 each, Rigas said.
Quartzite is tougher than granite and it is naturally resistant to moisture, stains and bacteria.
Quartzite is comparable in cost to high-end granite and marble. Fingerprints and smudges require frequent wiping.
Granite is a popular choice for bathrooms, in part because it costs less than other materials and is easy to clean. But it’s also a workhorse. It’s dense, doesn’t etch or stain as easily as marble, and when you find some unique slabs, it’s amazing.
There are a lot of appearances to choose from, and the granite material is hard and scratch-resistant, so it doesn’t take a long time to maintain. Not affected or damaged by heat and humidity. Great as a bathroom countertop.
Although the granite material is good, it is considered an expensive kind of countertop material at present. If you accidentally damage the slab, you need to hire professional personnel to repair it.
Let’s count the pros: Quartz is low-maintenance, resistant to staining and etching, and always looks new, says Blake. It’s a good choice if you want more of a background accent; it’s not the star of the design, she says. While marble and quartzite are often contenders in the popularity contest, Blake saw a trend towards using quartz, which more closely resembles the natural material.
Quartz stone countertops have a marble-like appearance, have natural strength, and are relatively hard and dense.
It can withstand the harsh treatment of all kitchen commotions. It also requires less maintenance than all other types of kitchen materials.
Quartz stone is more scratch-resistant than quartz. The dark gray pattern and its natural texture can easily hide scratches on the countertop.
The quartz stone countertop has a smooth surface and a non-porous structure, which is easy to wipe and disinfect, reducing the risk of microorganisms accumulating on the countertop.
Quartz has better heat resistance than quartz materials, so putting the hot pot directly on the counter has little effect.
Due to the nature of its design, quartzite has a unique color scheme that makes it look versatile and attractive.
Quartz stone is a stronger and more durable natural stone with durable materials. It has textures for different themes.
Strong resistance to direct ultraviolet rays. This prevents the surface from fading, and you can use it on outdoor countertops or in rooms that receive direct UV rays.
The countertop interior design features unique stripes and lenses that give it a modern and organic look.
Quartz stone has a more natural trendy look and a sophisticated finish, making it a top trend for kitchen countertops, bathroom walls, and house floors.
1. Limited color options: It provides limited color options for you to decorate your kitchen countertop or decoration.
2. Difficult to install: Due to the hardness of stone, they need skilled craftsmen and advanced tools to install the counter.
3. Not resistant to high temperature: Although it is resistant to high temperature, it cannot withstand high temperature, which will cause the countertop to melt.
Slate is a relatively new type of high-tech man-made material. It is made by grinding rock powder through a 10,000-ton press and then fired at a high temperature of 1300 degrees. The stone powder can clearly restore the natural texture and vein of the stone, unlike The rock needs to be cut in one piece, and the size of the rock slab can be customized without limit, which can be regarded as a breakthrough in the application of natural stone. Under such a premise, rock slabs can be used as replacements for marble, and the effect is no worse than that of marble.
1. The texture of slate is unique, fine and textured, and has various textures, which greatly enhances the decorative beauty of modern bathrooms.
2. In terms of physical properties, it is better than quartz stone, its hardness is higher than quartz stone, and its heat resistance, pollution resistance, acid and alkali resistance are also better than quartz stone.
3. The structure of the slate slab is dense, with the characteristics of ultra-high density, and the water absorption rate is close to zero, eliminating troubles such as water infiltration in the bathroom. Long-term use is still long-lasting and new.
1. The slate has high hardness and is difficult to process. The cracks generated during the processing cannot be repaired like stone. Cracks or breaks in the slate are almost impossible to repair.
2. Again, transportation and laying are difficult, and product access is limited by the site, elevators, and construction space, which also tests the technical level of the construction personnel.
Another natural stone with a smooth, silky texture is soapstone, which is often dark gray in color. As a replacement for granite, it has recently had a renaissance. While soapstone is frequently used in older homes, it is also a popular material for countertops and sinks in newer houses. In some kitchen designs, soapstone’s antique-like patina that develops over time can be really beautiful. Contrary to popular belief, the talc used in architectural countertops is extremely strong and stain resistant. Over time, it will scratch, albeit this will enhance the stone’s patina.
Designers Lissette Fernandez and Chelsea Murawski of Together Home like to use soapstone, which they call “the little black dress of bathroom countertops” because it can be decorated in both master bathrooms , can also be decorated in children’s bathrooms. Their advice: Embrace the moodiness of the stone. It comes in a variety of colors from gray to almost black. “We like to contrast the earthy graphic elements of soapstone with the polished nickel hardware,” says Fernandez. It’s pretty indestructible, but you’ll need to reseal it every year.
Soapstone is more durable and lasts a long time.
Compared with natural stone such as granite, this material has lower heat resistance and requires later maintenance such as lubrication and polishing.
When selecting bathroom countertops, take durability, stain resistance, cleaning convenience, and decor compatibility into account. Refrain from using porous or easily scratched, cracked, or stained surfaces.
People choose quartz over marble or granite for bathroom vanity tops because quartz is engineered and not natural slate. It is less expensive than marble or granite and is more environmentally friendly, non-porous, less susceptible to bacteria and mold, and more durable.
Compared to quartzite, quartz countertops are more adaptable and robust. Quartz countertops are composed of engineered stone, as opposed to quartzite countertops, which are built of natural stone. Artificial stone is composed of approximately 70% to 90% loose quartz; reminders are resins and pigments.
This article introduces the advantages and disadvantages of six stone countertop materials, marble, quartzite, granite, quartz, slate and steatite, as bathroom countertops. You can choose the stone countertop material that suits you according to your actual needs for home improvement. , if you have any questions, you can contact us at any time to provide you with answers and design solutions.
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