Counter tops provide additional workspace in the
bathroom. Wood is not recommended for bathrooms as it can be damaged by
the moisture, so use synthetic material resistant to water, moisture and
dampness for bathroom countertops. Bathroom countertops are generally
custom made and can be tailored to your bathroom design in terms of
color, pattern, size and shape. Thus, they usually take a back seat in
bathroom decorating and are made only to provide a workspace near a
major fixture such as shower, whirlpool, bath tub or vanity sink.
Plastic laminates that are water resistant and are quite decorative are
quite popular for bathroom countertops and come in many different
finishes and looks ranging from low luster to metallic to high gloss.
Plastic laminated bathroom vanity countertops are generally available
with recessed sinks with self rims and under-mounted bowls. However,
plastic countertops can get damaged by excessive heat and can sustain
scratches from sharp objects or damages from ceramic or abrasive things
dragged across them and are not suitable for bathrooms that are
accessible by kids. They are easy to clean using soft, non-abrasive
cloth and a mild household cleaner but scouring pads, abrasive powders,
steel wool and sandpaper can scratch their surface. They can be easily
stained too and that too permanently by dyes and other staining products
and one needs to apply self cleaning wax periodically to avoid such
stains.
They are economical and may prove long lasting, if used very carefully
but water seeping in the seams and under sink edges can cause the
laminate to separate by damaging the substrate. Thus, they may prove
cumbersome to maintain. Bathroom marble countertops look elegant, are
functional and have wide range of colors and styles. Cultured marble and
cultured onyx is quite popular for bathroom countertops. It has a
rugged, hard, waterproof and stain-resistant surface. They can be easily
repaired and a little sanding and polishing the countertop can make it
glisten like new. The common problem with bathroom marble countertops
was crazing or formation of hairline cracks, which has been solved by
cultured marble option.
It is easy to clean and polish and a protective coat of wax provides
the perfect finish to marble countertops. Avoid using abrasives and
scouring powders on these countertops as they can dull its shine. Corian
is one of the expensive options for countertops and is made up of an
advanced blend of natural materials and pure acrylic polymer. It has a
smooth surface, comes in variety of colors, is nonporous, is resistant
to mold, mildew or bacteria and resistant to moisture and stains. Corian
bathroom countertops are easy to clean and maintain, hypoallergenic,
nontoxic and chemically non-reactive. It offers three countertop
finishes - matte, semi gloss and gloss. However, heat-generating
appliances or hot pans should always be kept on a hot pad or trivet or
it can damage its surface.
Corian countertops are easy to restore to its pristine condition using
an ordinary abrasive cleanser and a cleansing pad. Granite is quite
popular for a high-end and elegant bathroom vanity countertop. Coarse
grained pegmatite is stronger than sandstone, limestone and marble and
is more difficult to quarry. Granite is very much durable and impervious
to water but as it is a natural rock, it can be chipped and broken and
is very difficult to repair. Any liquid detergent and warm water can
clean granite countertops easily but abrasive cleaners may scratch its
surface and dull the finish that can be restored by polishing and waxing
the countertop. White marble bathroom countertops are more porous than
granite and are easily stainable.
Vessel bowls installed on a glass counter look beautiful and elite but
they are difficult to maintain, easily breakable and can often get
blemished with fingerprints. They can be cleaned using any standard
glass cleaner. Tiled countertops are of course custom made and ceramic
tiles are installed on site. Their surface looks attractive and is best
for countertops. They are durable, easy to clean, resistant to stains,
heat and moisture and very easy to maintain. However, the grout between
the tiles may crack and collect bacteria that can prove unhealthy but if
tiled counters are properly maintained and sealed well, they can offer
good service for a number of years. Counter vessels kept on beautiful
countertops can steal the show in a designer bathroom.
