Countertops for bathroom: Varieties, features and selection criteria

Sanitary and furniture innovations for the bathroom can make this room more functional and comfortable. A very profitable and fashionable solution would be to install a countertop under the sink. It will be an important element of the interior and a great place for storage, moreover on it you can place many items that are difficult to do without in the bathroom. Under the countertop you can install a washing machine or organizers with shelves, to make the space ergonomic and convenient.

When we start talking about countertops, immediately there is an association with the kitchen, but recently, countertops under the sink in the bathroom are gaining deserved popularity. The main purpose of the countertop is to combine several elements into a harmonious unity. For example, the countertop can connect two sinks in one module or combine the sink and cabinets.

In the bathroom, the durability of the countertop is not as important a factor as when choosing a kitchen countertop, which should be primarily impact-resistant and withstand enormous loads. In this regard, you can use in its manufacture a variety of materials.

When choosing a countertop, you should pay attention to such criteria:

• high resistance to high humidity in the room;
• no reaction to sudden temperature changes in the room;
• minimal susceptibility to the appearance of mold or mildew;
• ease and unpretentious maintenance.

In the manufacture of countertops use different materials. Natural stone table tops are very popular, most often marble or granite, expensive spectacular table tops are made of onyx and travertine. Wood, MDF, glass and artificial stone table tops are also in demand. The countertops can be made on their own from moisture-resistant plasterboard and lined with mosaics: ceramic or glass.

And now let's consider each material separately.

The most durable material for creating countertops, because it is not afraid of any damage. Marble or granite can be matte or glossy. The main advantages include a great appearance, excellent impact resistance, wear resistance and durability. The disadvantages are high cost, the huge weight of the material and very time-consuming installation of construction.

It has almost all the advantages of natural stone, but in appearance it is quite easy to distinguish. In the manufacturing process, marble, granite or quartz chips are used, which are combined with acrylics or resins. The use of composite materials allows you to create a very durable and beautiful countertops of various shapes and sizes, an important advantage of which is the possibility to order a cast countertop together with a sink and avoid unnecessary seams and joints.

The main advantage of countertops made of artificial stone in comparison with natural marble or granite is an affordable price. This material is wear-resistant and not afraid of high humidity, and if there are scratches, you can easily get rid of them. Today there are technologies for polishing the surface with a special paste that completely fills the scratch and returns the product to its original appearance.

Glass countertops have become very common, thanks to the low price and full compliance of the material with the conditions in the bathroom room. The advantages of glass countertops include:

1. High durability, countertops are made of tempered glass;
2. excellent resistance to all kinds of damage;
3. they are not afraid of high humidity;
4. there is a huge range of shapes and modifications;
5. they can be easily decorated. To decorate the lower part, you can use special films with or without a picture.

Unfortunately, the glass has a small disadvantage - after the drying of water stains remain, so they should be cleaned quite often.

Not everyone can appreciate the benefits of using an MDF countertop, because it is assumed that the wood-fiber board will not last long in a room with high humidity, but today this material is covered with a laminated layer, which serves as a reliable protection against moisture.

Nevertheless, it should be taken into consideration that it is possible to damage the layer, and then the moisture will get inside and it will bring the material to disrepair in just a few months. Therefore, before you buy an MDF countertop, you need to think about the possible disadvantages.

Wooden countertop is a better material for a countertop than MDF. It has greater resistance to moisture than MDF. A protective layer of lacquer or paint protects it from moisture, and if scratched, the tabletop will not soon be in disrepair. Damaged wood can be repaired in half an hour with a brush, varnish or paint.

Drywall tabletop, lined with mosaic, will be the best option for people who like to equip their homes by themselves. The mosaic is made of ceramic or glass, so it is durable and characterized by a long period of use.

Applying imagination, you can create real masterpieces of any shape with a small amount of money. This type of tabletop has some disadvantages.

Please note that the fragments of the mosaic are connected by seams and you need to choose the appropriate moisture-repellent grout for the seams. The base for the countertop is made of gypsum plasterboard and only moisture-resistant gypsum plasterboard in green should be purchased.

The countertop is one of the central elements in the design of the bathroom. With its help, you can combine different, at first glance, incompatible objects into a single whole.

Usually, all the furniture in the bathroom corresponds to the style of the interior and the various elements and modules complement each other harmoniously. Although it is possible to create harmony from individual modules, shelves, chests of drawers, cabinets floor or hanging. Therefore, and countertop under the sink for the bathroom room should also be combined with all the furniture.

There is a huge variety of countertops:

• rectangular,
• angular,
• asymmetrical,
• combined.

It is possible to choose the necessary model depending on the design preferences and price policy.

Thus, all countertops can be divided into:

• budget models,
• custom-made products,
• custom design models of premium class.

The width and height of the countertop is determined by the buyer, who makes his choice based on the measurements of the bathroom and the height of the family members.

Sinks, which are installed on the countertop, also please with a great variety of forms: symmetric or asymmetric, right or left, single or double. The tabletop can be presented in the interior as a supplement to the cabinet or as an independent element, which is installed on long legs or fastened with brackets.

Double sinks are very popular among buyers, because they allow two people to perform hygienic procedures simultaneously, which is very relevant in the morning when all family members are rushing to work or school. The sink can be placed on the countertop or built into it. Depending on the type of sink, the design of the cabinet to which the countertop is attached changes.

It is possible to distinguish several ways to install countertops:

1. With the help of brackets to mount a solid countertop, as it is characterized by a lot of weight.
2. Fixing the countertop already to the finished cabinet.
3. The installation method allows you to create a secure attachment. The frame-installation is installed in the wall, and then the sanitary ware is already clamped to it. After that, the wall is decorated with cladding.

Installation of the countertop depends on its variety: floor and wall. Floor installation is easy enough, because it is only necessary with the help of the level to adjust the length of the legs.

Wall installation of the tabletop will take more time and will require additional tools. But this does not prevent you from fixing countertops yourself, if you have such a desire. You can also use the help of a specialist, who in a short time will carry out reliable installation of countertops in the bathroom.

In today's market you can find models in which the countertop and sink are one monolithic construction. This option has many advantages:

• Such countertops are characterized by high durability, as the surface is made of one material and has no seams and joints.
• The module is completely sealed, which is important for bathrooms.
• Tabletop with sink can be purchased in any shape, size and color, which allows you to support any style of interior.

For convenient use of countertops in the bathroom, you should pay attention exactly to the base of the countertop, because it is made in two variants - floor and wall. The shape of the base affects the functionality of the entire countertop.

Floor and wall base under the countertop has the same purpose and differs only in the way of fastening. The length of the countertop depends on the tastes and imagination of the customer. In some bathrooms, countertops can be made almost the entire perimeter of the room or can be successfully built into niches, making the most of the free space.

Floor countertop is in demand in today's furniture market. Its installation is quite simple. It is necessary to put it in the place where the sink is located. With the help of legs adjust the height by level. And then make the connection of the sink to the sewer and water supply.

A significant advantage of this form can be called a large capacity. In the cabinet you can put a lot of useful things for water procedures, store detergents or bulky items. In some models you can find already installed drawers or shelves.

The wall countertop is hung on the wall, using anchors. This type of countertop has the same characteristics as the floor countertop. But the difference still exists, because of the method of attachment, it has a smaller size, can withstand a small weight and therefore can hold fewer items.

We should also distinguish another group of countertops - decorative. They do not have any cabinets or bollards. They are presented in a floor and wall model. For the floor tabletop, special long legs are used, and for wall-mounted products - special brackets. For decorative tabletops, you should also select the appropriate sanitary ware, such as chrome siphons, so that everything looks harmonious and in the same direction.

Using gypsum board, you can make a beautiful and original countertop with your own hands, which will become an original decoration of any bathroom. Its main feature is that the material should not change under the influence of moisture. You should use a solution based on epoxy to reliably protect the product from high humidity. Also, moisture-resistant drywall, which is designed specifically for this purpose, is very popular. If this type of drywall is used, then no additional treatment is needed.

To create a countertop for the bathroom, you should buy materials such as:

• Plasterboard sheets (preferably moisture-resistant);
• profiles to create the base of the countertop;
• plywood;
• moisture-resistant putty;
• damp-proof mortar;
• brushes to apply the moisture protection mortar;
• jigsaw;
• brackets;
• epoxy glue.

When all the materials listed above are at hand, you can move on to the technology of creating the countertop.

• To begin with, it is necessary to measure the space where you plan to install the countertop. Using these dimensions, determine the height and width of the future product. We proceed to the creation of a framework made of metal or wooden slats. The main feature of the frame is the strength and reliability, so that the construction will be stable.
• To create a plan of the future product, we take plywood, which is resistant to moisture, and on it is drawn the contour where the sink will be located. Using a jigsaw, it is necessary to make a hole along the contour. When the plywood sheet is ready, we proceed to create two forms from gypsum board sheets, and one of them must also have a hole for the sink.
• We attach two brackets to the wall, and place the cut out plywood sheet on them. Then attach a sheet of drywall with a hole in it. The other sheet of drywall, which does not have a cutout, is attached from below.
• When the drywall sheets are securely fastened, then you should create a concave end. In order to make it, you will need a strip of drywall. Notches are made on it every one centimeter. Then this piece is attached to the inner end of the future tabletop.
• When the countertop is ready, you should cover it with a special mixture that has a waterproofing function. For reliability, this procedure should be performed twice. Then wait for the product to dry and you can proceed to the last step - decorating the countertop.
• The last step is to install the sink into the countertop. In order to ensure that the sink is securely fixed, it should be installed on special legs or attached to the wall with a special support. The presence of a support is necessary for countertops that are quite high and reach more than one meter. To create a support can be suitable medium metal tubes.

Watch the following video on the installation of the countertop.