How do countertops differ from each other?
One-piece, when the sink and countertop are one whole piece. These types make the room luxurious; With hole for sink. You can buy a countertop without a sink, but be sure to know the size of the sink;
Countertop for countertop sink. The difference between this model and the previous one is the size of the opening. Option No. 1 implies a clear correspondence of the sink to its size, and option No. 2 differs in that the opening will be slightly smaller so that the countertop washbasin covers it;
The one-piece model has an advantage over the others, it will suit any room design, the advantage is its hygienic characteristics. These types of countertops are made from natural or artificial stone.
Manufacturing and installation
You can make a wooden model yourself. To do this, you need to select a canvas in a carpentry workshop and process it around the perimeter.
It is advisable to polish the surface of the future tabletop with sandpaper, gradually reducing the abrasiveness.
At the last stage, they are impregnated with a special stain, oil or varnish to avoid exposure to water. Let dry for 3-5 days.
A wooden countertop will fill the bathroom with the warmth emanating from natural wood.
The finished model is mounted in two ways - floor or wall.
- The wall mount looks aesthetically pleasing, consists of a special bracket fixed to the wall with special screws, a hanging model.
- The floor mount resembles the design of furniture on legs. The advantage of the method is its strength, and the space under the countertop is used for storing towels or household items.
During installation, it becomes necessary to drill the tiles. For such work, you should stock up on special drills for ceramics. In a small room you can use corner models.
Tabletop in the form of a cabinet
Currently, the market is overflowing with offers of various types of countertops. But the most common is the countertop cabinet under the bathroom sink.
They are a godsend for the consumer, because they can be used to hide pipes; a large number of drawers will allow you to fit all toiletries. A cabinet - a countertop under a bathroom sink - is an element of prestige.
Features of care
The coating can be oil or varnish, which determines the rules of care.
- varnished options simply need to be wiped dry. Such a surface will last under the manufacturer’s warranty for 10–15 years, then the coating is renewed.
- oil impregnation requires a delicate attitude, and once a quarter the countertop is additionally impregnated with natural oil containing polymers or rubber so that the appearance remains luxurious.
A high-quality wooden countertop does not require special and frequent maintenance.
Wooden structures in the bathroom are not only a tribute to fashion, but also a constant desire to use traditional natural materials in the home. The texture of wood creates not only comfort, but also interior style with its unique flavor. The individuality of the interior design reflects the taste of the owners and is emphasized by wood products.
Wooden table top
A wooden countertop for a bathroom sink has an aesthetic appearance, it is environmentally friendly, makes the bath cozy, and suits simple interiors decorated in chalet, country and Provence styles.
- These styles conceal a special atmosphere of warmth, romance and comfort.
- The tabletop can be attached directly to the wall on brackets, or you can make additional shelves in the form of a cabinet, then the legs will serve as fastenings.
- If space allows you, then one option could be to combine a countertop and shelves under the sink.
- Wood is a very capricious material; this must be taken into account in your choice; it requires specific care.
A wooden tabletop cannot be washed with a hard sponge or active detergents; it is vulnerable to moisture.
Methods for installing structures in the bathroom
Securing the tabletop with your own hands is done in the following ways.
Suspension on brackets. With this method, the lower space remains empty. This makes cleaning easier and also allows you to place certain things and household appliances. This installation method is called a suspended tabletop.
Installation on legs. Of course, such a structure will stand firmly. However, the legs of the tabletop significantly limit the space.
Installation on furniture. Making several shelves or a cabinet in the lower part, and installing a countertop in the upper part is an excellent option for creating an interior in the bathroom.
A beautiful bathroom with a modern countertop can please anyone. Today, the retail chain offers various designs of structures from which you can make a suitable choice.
Table top made of chipboard or MDF
These countertops differ from each other in the size of the fraction. In the production of chipboard, it is large; for MDF, small chips are used. The binding agent is a special glue.
Countertops made from these materials are inexpensive. You can use them to assemble a cabinet or a sink shelf attached to brackets. The service life of these structures is not long. In any case, water will get into the cracks and the slabs will subsequently swell, taking on an unliquid appearance.
Artificial stone countertop
A good alternative to natural stone. Its properties are in no way inferior to him. Countertops are made from marble and granite chips, gluing is carried out using acrylic.
The advantage of such structures is their low cost compared to stone and the low weight of the slab. Very large color range. You can order the color that suits you.
Non-standard forms. Since the material is artificial, the countertops can be of different designs. Waterproof and wear-resistant. Mold does not form on artificial stone. The disadvantage of artificial stone is its low resistance to damage.
Manufacturers
Among the manufacturers of bathroom countertops, there are several brands whose products are in particular consumer demand.
- Ikea - models at affordable prices, durable waterproof countertops in white, wood and black with wood, marble and anthracite finishes. Laminated products with sink installation anywhere.
- Aquanet is a wide range of solid-cast modules with linear and rounded facades, made in white and beige. Marble products with different designs from domestic manufacturers.
- Kerasan – hanging and floor-standing products with a glossy surface texture, made in light and black colors. Models of one-piece type with a central position of the sink. They vary in shape and may have curved sides.
- Migliore - products of a high price category, made of marble in a country style. Worktops with cabinets that can decorate a retro bathroom design.
- Kolpa San – models made of acrylic stone for the installation of overhead sinks, characterized by a laconic design. Console modules for compact sinks made of fireproof and durable material, resistant to chemicals and mechanical damage.
- “Aquaton” are budget-priced products designed for one or two sinks, characterized by ease of maintenance and geometric shapes. Made from MDF, they can be mounted on floor stands.
Glass table top
This material looks very beautiful and has many types of design. The product has high strength due to its large thickness. Glass can be painted or covered with film.
With the correct distribution of lighting at the sink, you can get the result of floating in space. The disadvantages are limescale deposits when interacting with water and, nevertheless, fragility.
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If you drop a heavy object on the countertop, it will burst. Glass is not light in weight, and it is not worth hanging the tabletop using a bracket. Typically, a glass tabletop is installed on chrome racks.
What the market is offering now
When you enter a large construction supermarket, your eyes literally run wild, plus the consultants are vying with each other to suggest goods. In such conditions it is easy to make a mistake.
With online stores, the situation is not much better, of course there is time to think, but you don’t see the product with your own eyes, and there are hundreds of countertops in the catalog, and the photo was taken from an angle favorable to the seller.
If a bathroom countertop with a sink looks beautiful in the photo, this does not mean that it is ideal for a particular bathroom
In reality, everything is not so complicated. Choosing a vanity top for your bathroom comes down to two parts. First, you need to decide on the design of the product, that is, the shape, dimensions and availability of certain options, and then choose the material that suits you.
Choosing a tabletop design
| Photo | Recommendations |
| Cast products. This niche is dominated by luxury products. A solid-cast tabletop has a finished look, designers have already worked on it, everything has been calculated by the designers, and the likelihood of breakage is low. But such models have clear dimensions and often these dimensions are quite large. This product is aimed at bathrooms with a solid square footage. | |
| Overhead or mortise sink with cabinet Here we have a constructor. When developing such models, several options are taken into account. In other words, you can choose where the faucet will be located, choose the type and shape of the sink, as well as the presence or absence of a cabinet under the countertop. But again, the more changes, the higher the price.
| |
| Floor option. A stationary floor cabinet is considered the most convenient and reliable design. Models are now available for any sink size. This design will not fall, it will not warp and there will be no cracks in the walls, plus you get a spacious closed cabinet, which, for example, is very important for bathrooms in Khrushchev-era buildings. | |
| Mini table top with pendant. The design, frankly speaking, is not for everyone. It is good if you plan to install an original and rather expensive sink. In this case, the tabletop plays the role of a supporting, basic structure, plus you can put some accessories on it. But do not forget that the material of the countertop and the sink itself must match each other and fit into the interior. |
Material for bathroom countertops
We’ve sorted out the shapes and layout options a little, now let’s talk about the materials from which bathroom countertops are made and start from the very top.
Natural stone - a stone slab in the bathroom looks solid and immediately indicates the status and good taste of the owner. The luxury sector is dominated by marble and granite. Sandstone and similar stones are represented in the middle price category; there are no budget offers in the niche of natural stones.
Marble countertops for the bathroom indicate the status of the owner
The plate can have a glossy polish or a matte finish. In the first case, the appearance is luxurious, but it is more difficult to maintain the gloss; every dried drop of water will be visible. Matte stone is more practical to use, plus such countertops are a little cheaper.
When purchasing a granite countertop, you should especially carefully study the accompanying documents and the certificate of conformity. Some types of granite mined in certain quarries may have a weak radioactive background.
Stone countertops are considered the most durable
In addition to the significant price, natural stone has one more disadvantage - it is serious weight. There are models weighing up to several hundred kilograms, but even a relatively thin and small slab, in any case, weighs at least 20 kg. The problem of heavy weight and high price can be partially solved by choosing artificial stone.
Artificial stone - an artificial stone countertop for a bathroom will be an excellent compromise between price, appearance and quality. Artificial models are divided into 2 areas:
- The first direction is closest to natural analogues; such countertops are made from stone-cutting waste. Simply put, 80% of a crumb of a certain mineral is taken and 20% of a polymer binder is added to it, as a result visually you get a natural stone, and the price is half lower. The weight of such slabs is not much less than that of natural ones;
- Fully composite materials are close in appearance to their natural counterparts, but upon closer examination the difference is visible, but the cost of this product does not go beyond the average price category, plus polymer boards are lightweight. Acrylic countertops have the best combination of price and quality.
Products made from artificial stone are beautiful, durable and relatively inexpensive, therefore they are considered an excellent alternative to natural stone
Glass models - such countertops appeared relatively recently. Colored matte and transparent slabs look attractive, the price here is equal to acrylic products. There is no overwhelming demand for such models, but they have their own buyer.
The tabletops are made of tempered glass and are quite durable, which ensures the absence of scratches. If you don’t hit the product with a hammer, then such a slab will serve for decades, without losing its appearance. The only problem is that the dried drops are very visible on the glass.
Important! Any tempered glass has a critical point, it is located somewhere on the end edge, and it is impossible to find out its location, it is individual for each slab. So, a slight blow to such a point will cause complete destruction of the entire slab; tempered glass will shatter into small pieces, like car glass.
A glass countertop in the bathroom is always original, but not always practical
Natural wood - the fashion for natural materials has significantly increased the rating of wooden bathroom countertops and this has led to the emergence of a whole series of low-quality products.
The bathroom has high humidity, so not every type of wood is suitable. If you don’t take overseas exotics, such as wenge wood, then you can safely install larch and aspen in the bathroom, since they are not susceptible to rotting. Also, with proper processing, dense species such as oak, walnut, acacia, etc. are suitable here.
When manufacturing wooden countertops, reputable companies impregnate the wood with complex protective compounds, and the process is multi-stage using high-temperature autoclaves.
Tabletops made from a solid tree trunk are valued most highly, although with the proper qualifications of the craftsman, typesetting models also look decent
Kustanai does not produce such equipment, therefore, in the best case, all protection ends with a one-time coating with an antiseptic composition. And in most cases, a log is cut from the first log that comes across, sanded and a couple of layers of varnish are applied.
As a result, after a couple of months the varnish will peel off, and after six months the wood begins to lose its appearance. Therefore, when purchasing wooden models, carefully study the accompanying documents; if in doubt, it is better to take another material or, alternatively, order a thick deck from a sawmill and make the tabletop yourself.
Countertops made of laminated chipboard and MDF - the entire budget sector is occupied by laminated chipboards; laminated MDF is a little more expensive, but an affordable price does not mean low quality. It uses high-density waterproof material, plus plastic lamination on top, which provides reliable protection.
If you don’t have enough money for a high-quality countertop made of stone or natural wood, then it is better to give preference to laminated chipboard or MDF. Now production has reached a new level and without special knowledge you will not be able to distinguish a laminated slab from the same artificial stone, the main thing is that the ends are laminated with high quality.
Laminated chipboard and MDF countertops are of decent quality and highly resistant to moisture
Important! Countertops made of laminated boards are a separate independent direction; you cannot take furniture-grade laminated chipboard or MDF and cut out a countertop, such a counterfeit in the bathroom will delaminate and become completely unusable within a year.
A true moisture-resistant countertop is made from high-density slabs and has a durable outer coating
Plastic table top
This is the cheapest type of countertop. The advantages are low cost, resistance to mold, ease of installation.
You can make a bathroom countertop under the sink using plastic yourself. Disadvantages: low strength, responsiveness to mechanical damage, temperature changes negatively affect the plastic tabletop.
Main selection criteria
To find the best option for your bathroom, you need to pay attention to many things.
Nuances to consider when buying a countertop:
- Mounting type. Manufacturers offer floor and wall models. The first option is easy to install. There are special legs with which the height of the tabletop can be adjusted. In the case of wall-mounted models, installation is carried out using anchors. The advantage is that the process of cleaning the bathroom is simplified.
- Product dimensions. They are usually standardized. Sometimes there may be a slight discrepancy. In such cases, the end of a long tabletop is cut off or a cut is made in the wall. As for the width, it is recommended to choose it according to the dimensions of the bathroom. If the room is small, a 40 cm model is suitable. For spacious rooms, products up to 100 cm are used.
- Functionality. You should pay attention to the presence of shelves, drawers for storing detergents, hygiene products, etc. If you plan to install a washing machine under the washbasin, it is better to have a separate compartment for it, as well as cutouts for sockets.
- Durability of the material. The tabletop is used in rather difficult conditions, and therefore must withstand temperature changes, humidity, and not be subject to corrosion or the negative influence of chemicals.
- Appearance. The design depends solely on the taste of the owners, as well as the interior of the bathroom. There are many options - there is a suitable model for any room.
When choosing, it is also recommended to take into account the layout features. For example, if there is a niche in the bathroom, it makes more sense to install the countertop in it.
Photo of a bathroom countertop
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