When you select kitchen countertops, you need to strongly consider their durability and requirements for maintenance. That's because kitchen countertops often take a pretty heavy beating, what with all the chopping, rolling, mixing, and stacking that takes place on top of them.
The bathroom, however, is a much less intense place. Your bathroom countertops aren't at risk in quite the same way, and this means you can relax a bit and have fun when it comes to choosing a bathroom countertop.
So what do you need to consider in a bathroom countertop?
Function
While the kitchen countertop is where you spend most of your food prep time, the bathroom countertop's function is generally to hold items. It's the rare bathroom that requires pounding, dicing, slicing, or chopping atop a bathroom countertop. When it comes to functionality in the bathroom, your biggest concern will probably be the size of your countertop. Does it give you enough space to hold your toiletries while you get ready?
Maintenance
You'll also want to consider what you'll be required to do to maintain your bathroom countertops. Can you handle a little extra maintenance, or do you want as little as possible? Remember that certain materials, like granite or marble, need to be resealed every so often. Other materials, like stainless steel or glass, don't need to be resealed, but it may be difficult to continue to clean fingerprints off their surfaces.
Appearance
Your personality can really shine through in your bathroom design options. This space is smaller and the fixtures don't get quite as abused as they do in the kitchen. Plus, you don't need as much material in a bathroom as you would need in a kitchen, so your budget may go a bit further here. Because of all this, you can really focus on the fun -- the appearance of your bathroom countertops. Go whimsical, funky, eclectic, daring, elegant, classic... whatever you love. It's easier to do it in this room than anywhere else.
Common Bathroom Countertop Materials
Granite
Granite is popular for its beauty and durability. It's stain-resistant, and out of all the natural stone materials, it's easiest to care for. Granite can be a bit pricey, and it does require a resealing every six months to a year.
Manufactured Quartz
This synthetic composite comes in a huge variety of colors and styles. It's durable and easy to clean, and you don't have to reseal it. However, it can be a bit more expensive than granite.
Tile
Tile is durable -- even more durable than granite -- and inexpensive. You can also create unique and beautiful designs with tile, really letting your personality shine through. Maintenance can sometimes be tricky when you deal with grout, however.
Solid Surface
Solid surface materials are great for custom design because they can be molded to fit any specifications. Because it's non porous, it also discourages the growth of mildew. It's easy to clean, and gives you plenty of design options.
Whatever style you want for your bathroom countertops, New Life Bath and Kitchen is excited to help you make your vision come to life. Visit our Santa Maria showroom to see how we can update your bathroom. Give us a call at (805) 954-9530, or visit us online.