Table of Contents
People often think that the bathroom is a part of the house that’s not worth investing on but they are wrong. In fact, it should be one of the places that you need to invest on as the bathroom is one of the most functional parts of the house. As there are many aspects of the bathroom you may want to improve on, exactly what types of upgrades are you looking to get? On that matter, we’d like to introduce bathroom countertops to you.
Kitchens aren’t the only part of the house that deserve countertops. Bathrooms do as well. Bathroom vanity tops aren’t just there so you have a place to store your personal items on. Like kitchen countertops, these also make your home more beautiful and they make it more valuable at the same time.
A countertop – whether for the kitchen or for the bathroom, is a big investment. If you want to make sure that your purchase is worth every buck, then you need to be an informed buyer. What are the standards when it comes to buying a bathroom countertop? Is it enough to buy whatever you see on display? Of course not.
As you would when buying a kitchen countertop, it’s a must that you stay informed of your upcoming purchase. If you are looking to buy a new bathroom countertop, then here is a buying guide that will help you make an unregrettable purchase. By the end of this, you’ll be more than prepared to get a new bathroom vanity top.
When Is The Best Time To Get A Countertop
The truth is that there is never a bad time to get a countertop. However, you might want to consider getting a countertop as your house is being built or when you are getting remodeling done on your bathroom. This would make it easier for the contractor to install the countertop in your house.
A bathroom countertop doesn’t immediately warrant a remodel for your bathroom. However, since the expenses are high, you may as well choose to do it at the same time. If you want to save money, it’s best to get a countertop if you are getting major work done in your bathroom as well.
Budgeting
This is the most important part of your buying process. Before you go and pick a countertop material, you should first set a budget for yourself. The ideal budget for getting a bathroom countertop is around $4,000 – $8,000. This includes the countertop itself, as well as the installation fee that you need to pay the contractors.
If you buy cheap bathroom countertops, you can spend less. Probably around $1,000 less but of course, this comes at the expense of you getting a sub-standard countertop for your bathroom. It’s best to set a budget for yourself so that the contractors at least have a way to help you achieve the bathroom of your dreams.
Picking The Right Material
There are many countertop materials that you can choose from. Not all countertop materials are fit for the bathroom. You need to understand that vanity tops aren’t just about looks. It has to do with functionality as well. Poor countertop materials are those that aren’t fit for getting wet most of the time. What materials are good for the bathroom?
- Granite – this is a hard and durable natural stone that is very dense as well. This is one of the reasons why it is the most popular countertop material be it for bathroom or kitchen purposes. It’s also one of the cheaper natural stones currently with a cost of around $75 to $200 per square foot. It comes in various amazing colors so it can fit well with your kitchen easily. It is also stain resistant so long as it is properly sealed. It is the top choice for those who are getting their first countertop.
- Marble – if you are looking to outfit your bathroom that adds a ton of elegance and classiness, then you are most definitely eyeing something like marble. It is a natural stone and at present, it is also one of the most expensive countertop materials you can find. It can sell for $120 to $250. Like granite, you need to reseal marble to make it stain-resistant. Other than this and its price, you’ll have a great and durable countertop that can last you for decades.
- Travertine – as a kitchen countertop material, travertine is not at all recommended. It is softer as compared to other stones and on top of that. It scratches very easily too. This means usual kitchen prep work isn’t fit for travertine. However, it does make for a perfect bathroom countertop material because of its fair price point. It also features warm tones that make it the perfect match for bathrooms that offer a relaxing feel and aesthetic.
- Quartz – this is a beautiful natural stone. Don’t be mistaken though. Quartz countertops aren’t fully made from the natural stone. Instead, quartz crystals are crushed and then mixed with a selection of resins and binders to make it a viable countertop fit for kitchens and bathrooms. The result is an extravagant looking countertop that’s cheaper than granite and marble. Of course, it is also very durable thanks to the resins and binders added to the quartz crystals. One of the best qualities of a quartz countertop is that it doesn’t need to be resealed and it will stay stain-free regardless.
- Soapstone – another cheap natural stone countertop material is soapstone. As the name suggests, soapstone features a silky feature which resembles soap. It scratches easily so it’s not the perfect selection for a kitchen countertop. However, it does make for a perfect modern bathroom countertop because of its overall appearance and feel. Even when wet, soapstone remains a big rough so don’t expect your stuff to slip off easily.
These are the most preferred bathroom countertop material. Of course, there are some materials that you’d want to avoid entirely. These materials include wood and those that are non-porous. Non-porous materials have miniscule slits that water can seep into. These are bad for the bathroom as it will get wet most of the time. This could result in the formation of bacteria and mold.
Lastly, make sure that you aren’t getting materials that become too slippery when they get wet. This will make it much safer for you and your personal items.
Custom Or Standard?
You can have customized bathroom countertops if you want to. This means getting your countertop in unique shapes and sizes. There are also standard countertops which are basically made as is. Of course, it’s better that you get customized countertops so that it fits your needs for the bathroom. However, keep in mind that these are more expensive.
Standard countertops are cheaper. If your bathroom isn’t in a unique shape or appearance, it would be much preferred that you get standard countertops instead. It’s more practical on your end. In terms of quality, standard countertops are just the same as custom countertops and all that’s different is just the shape.
Picking The Contractor
There are many companies that can help you with your buying process. Of course, it would be best that you stay just as discerning with the contractor as you would with the countertop. The first thing that you should do when picking a contractor is to check for online reviews. These will give you an understanding of whether or not they are worth the money.
You can find these reviews online through the company’s social media profiles as on various review platforms. It’s best that you look for reviews outside of the website of the contractor you are eyeing as those are most likely filtered. Companies who have been exemplary in their service will have a ton of reviews.
Alternatively, you can get recommendations from your friends as well. Actually, this is the most preferred because here, you have a direct source of review towards a certain contractor. As much as possible, it’s best that you get referrals only because you’ll know whether a contractor is indeed great.
Preparation
When the installation process begins, you won’t be able to use the bathroom for at least a day. If you don’t want to spend extra, make sure to give your contractors an idea of where your pipes are so that they don’t hit it. The installation process can last for at least a day up to a couple of days depending on the complexity of the project.
Getting a countertop for your bathroom is one of the best things you can do to improve the value of your home. There are many benefits to getting a bathroom countertop of course. We understand that this isn’t a cheap expense on your end. As such, it is a must that you ensure that you are buying the right countertop material.
Call us now, or check us at Facebook anytime!
