Countertop materials and
colors really set the décor tone for your bathroom. Many colors, patterns and
materials 
are
available to choose from — each with its own special qualities.
You may select a
particular material and color because you've fallen in love with its look; or
your decision may be based on price alone. Remember that countertops can always
be replaced without structural changes, so they can be a good place to economize
at first and upgrade later.
When selecting counter
material, consider maintenance and durability. Also, consider how the sink will
be mounted — on top of the finished counter, flush, from underneath, or an
integral sink and counter.
Laminate
Laminate consistently
delivers the lowest installed cost along with a wide choice of colors, patterns
and textures. And if you're in a real rush to complete the job, prefab counter
sections are generally in stock at home centers.
Plastic laminate is easy
to maintain. If you're careful and stick with non-abrasive cleansers, you can
expect 10 to 15 years of service from laminate counters, with little sign of
wear.
Laminate is stain- and
scuff-resistant. However, it is not impervious to daily life. It can be burned
and nicked easily. In high-pressure decorative laminates, only the topmost layer
of paper below the finish holds the color or pattern. If damaged, it's difficult
to repair, and the dark-colored layers below may show through. More costly
color-through laminates, while just as susceptible to damage, have the color
through all layers, so nicks may not be as noticeable. Color-through laminates
show fewer joint lines and are therefore often used for special edge treatments.
Though laminate is a comparatively low-cost material, you can get creative with
front edge and backsplash treatments. Ask your bathroom designer or countertop
fabricator to show you some of the options.
Solid
Surface
Solid surface counters
provide design flexibility and easy maintenance at about the same price as
premium tile work. Solid surface units are also available with the sink and
countertop formed together. These come in both single and double bowl varieties.
Available in a wide choice of
colors and patterns, many resembling stone, solid surface accepts more varied
edge treatments than any other counter. In solid color material, the glued seams
are so invisible you may not find them even if you know where to look. Intricate
design accents, such as inlays of a different color or pattern, can add
excitement and flair.
Solid surface is easy to
clean and sanitize. One of its best features is that scratches and most stains
can be buffed out, usually with an abrasive cleaning pad; tougher stains come
out with fine sandpaper.
Ceramic
Tile
Ceramic tile has been a top choice for bathroom countertops for decades,
praised for its variety of styles, colors, patterns and materials. Prices range
widely, depending on quality, but there is something for everyone's budget. And
even a simple pattern can be enhanced with a few decorative tiles to catch the
eye.
In considering tile, check the manufacturer's usage recommendations; not all
tiles are suitable for countertops. Also check the availability of corners,
coves and edges for the trim and the tile's porosity. You want a waterproof tile
in a bathroom.
Tile is made of clay, shale, porcelain or just baked dirt, and the qualities
vary immensely. Surface coatings and how the tiles are fired are critical to
quality. Here are some types of tiles:
Glazed tile has a coating of glass-forming minerals and ceramic
stains, sprayed on the tile before it is fired. But glazed tiles range from high
gloss to matte finish. High gloss tends to wear faster and is better suited for
walls than for countertops. Matte finish will hide wear patterns better. Some
glazes are slippery, others are available in slip-resistant finish.
Ceramic tiles are rated in water resistance; vitreous ceramic tiles,
made from natural clay, have an absorption rate of 3% or less. Porcelain ceramic
tiles are considered impervious to water if their absorption rate is 0.5% or
less. Tile porosity should be checked with the manufacturer.
Marble
For all its beauty,
marble is soft and porous and thus stains easily. It still remains a top choice
for bathroom counters, walls and floors. White marble is softer than darker
marble, but darker marble will show scratches more easily. Marble comes in slab
or tile forms and in a variety of thicknesses. Because it is slippery when wet,
it is not advisable for floors unless given a slip-resistant treatment, but is
acceptable for countertops and walls.
Granite
Granite is a high-end
choice for countertops as well as floors and walls because of its beauty and
durability. It is less prone to scratching and absorption than marble, and less
slippery. It withstands heat and the high usage expected for a bathroom counter.
There are a wide variety of colors available, as well as finishes, including
high polish, matte and rough-textured.
Though granite slabs are
typically the most expensive countertop, granite tile is cheaper. The type of
backsplash, the sink cutout, corners and edging details will influence slab
prices.
Cultured
Marble
What is commonly called
cultured marble is actually cast polymer containing marble fragments. It is
molded to the desired shape, whether as tiles, or slab-like portions. The color
runs throughout the material so stains and scratches can be sanded away and the
cultured marble polished again.
Grout
Grout is almost as
important as tile when considering overall appearance and function. It is the
weak link in a countertop because it needs to be sealed, and resealed, to keep
out water. Grout must also be cleaned regularly. Choose a grout color to match
or contrast with the tile, but in general it should not detract from the tile's
beauty.
There are four primary
grout types to consider for bathrooms: