Home Building - Bathroom - Bathroom Countertops

When it comes to bathroom countertops there�s no limit to how creative you can be, because most countertops are custom-designed for each installation. There are hundreds of colors, patterns, and materials to choose from, but not all of them work well in the bathroom where water and condensation are a constant concern. Your best choices are marble, granite, ceramic or porcelain tiles, solid surface materials and laminate surfacing.

Anyone who has designed a kitchen with concrete countertops already knows to expect the unexpected. Part chemistry, part mad science and all artisan craftsmanship, a custom-made concrete countertop can be the ultimate in personalization.Mocha Paperstone countertops, with an oversized 3" edge inlaid with zebrawood, line the perimeter of the kitchen and constitute the main work areas of the space. To add interest, a 2" band of Amber Avonite is joined to the backside of the countertops, which is illuminated from inside the cabinets to accentuate the full backsplash - also made of Avonite in the same color.Like solid surface, Suberra cork is solid throughout its thickness, and the material can be refinished and/or repaired. Unlike solid surface, the cork surface must be sealed with an oil wax similar to that used with butcher block. An optional finish coat may be applied for aesthetic reasons. According to Perlin, cork countertops may be refinished as needed to retain/ restore their aesthetic appeal, but it is not necessary from a performance standpoint.Corian and Solid Surfacing is made of either a pure acrylic product or a polyester-acrylic mix. The most widely available and widely known 100 percent synthetic countertop material is Corian by Dupont, but other manufacturers including Wilsonart, Formica and Avenite also make it in a wide range of colors and textures. Some of the materials are solid colors, but most have flecks that give it a textured look that resembles real stone (that will run the cost up). Cost is between $75 to $150 a linear foot, installed.Ceramic & Porcelain Tile is probably the most versatile material that you can use on your countertop to create a specific style or look. Contemporary, retro, traditional, rustic, country, and everything in-between is possible when working with ceramic tile. The only drawback to using tile is the grout lines, because nobody wants to invest the time and energy necessary to keep grout clean, especially in the bathroom. And don�t be fooled - tile grout requires regular maintenance and lots of elbow grease. On the flip side, the tile itself is easy to clean. Cost is between $50 to $80 per linear foot, installed. Plain-colored tiles cost from $2 to $40 per tile with hand-painted tiles running from $5 to $75.

Wood is attractive and versatile, but it is very vulnerable to water damage and its porosity makes it hard to clean - especially in the bathroom. If you have to have a wood top in your bathroom be sure it�s well sealed with polyurethane or marine varnish. Note: extra care should be taken to seal around the edges of plumbing fixtures so standing water can't seep in and cause wood rot. Cost is between $25 and $40 a linear foot, installed.

Author: Tammy Crosby