Marble bathroom countertops: features, advantages and disadvantages
The countertop in the bathroom will always be in high humidity conditions, which means that the choice of material for the countertop should be done with great care. So, wood absorbs moisture very quickly, and stains are always visible on the glass. Therefore, the best option for a bathroom is marble.
Description
The marble countertop for the bathroom looks very impressive. It is a solid luxury material that will transform the entire bathroom. Marble can be natural, such a structure is made from a slab several centimeters thick, which is then ground and polished. As a result of special processing, you can get wonderful colors and graceful, intricate designs. This is a durable raw material that is not afraid of water, however, natural stone is very expensive, heavy and causes problems during transportation, installation and maintenance.
That's why artificial marble can serve as an alternative. In this case, the natural stone is crushed to a state of crumb, mixed with polyester resin or acrylic and poured into a certain shape. The artificial marble countertop is also called molded. This technology allows the production of tabletops of various shapes and textures.
Unlike natural marble the artificial material has a smooth surface that is resistant to moisture, such a structure has no technological seams, which means it looks even more aesthetically pleasing. The binders used in production are environmentally friendly and do not emit harmful substances. In the event of a crack on a cast marble countertop, it can be easily repaired by polishing. Besides, the artificial product is easy to install due to its lighter weight.
The marble countertop fits perfectly with many interior styles and also blends well with other materials. For example, marble looks beautiful in tandem with wood, glass or metal.
Advantages and disadvantages
Among the features of marble countertops, its many advantages should be highlighted.
- The material easily tolerates constant temperature changes in the bathroom.
- The low-porous structure of natural stone prevents the absorption of dirt, which means that the surface care is somewhat easier. Artificial marble is completely devoid of pores, and therefore wins even more in this indicator.
- The marble coating has antibacterial properties, which is very important in the bathroom.
- The surface is not prone to fast fading.
- When using cast marble, there are no joints in which stubborn dirt could accumulate.
- During production, it is possible to supplement the countertop with various decorative elements, for example, you can decorate the ends with a material of a different color and texture.
- The strength and stability of marble ensures a long service life.
- Marble is always unique. The surface pattern differs from product to product. That is, by choosing a marble countertop, the buyer receives an exclusive design for the bathroom.
Before opting for a marble countertop, investigate the disadvantages of this material.
- Marble is a very expensive raw material, even artificial imitation is very expensive and not available to everyone.
- From time to time, such a product needs filling, as the surface is prone to cracking.
- The material, especially natural material, is very vulnerable to acid attack. This means that acid-based cleaners and abrasive materials that can scratch the surface are not suitable for cleaning.
How to choose?
Most of the marble countertops under the sink are presented in white with gray veins, but do not limit yourself to the classic solution, now you can choose more interesting and bright colors - consider the design of the room and personal preference. Whichever color is chosen, the marble countertop will always fill the bathroom with wealth and aristocracy.
When choosing a countertop, it is important to take into account the style of the room. So, if the bathroom is made in the classic style, then it is recommended to give preference to worktops of the correct shape in light colors. A round or rectangular design in beige color will look very elegant.
For bathroom art nouveau choose a product in deep dark shades. The saturation of the color emphasizes the style of the room.
For modern style trends, asymmetric countertops in a single color solution are more suitable.
Before purchasing the model you like, make sure that the fittings are reliable and functional. Please note that some countertops are additionally equipped with shelves, drawers, cabinets - this design will allow more rational use of the bathroom space.
Before the purchase carefully measure the space allocated for the countertop and determine the parameters of the product. Sizes vary widely. The modern range is represented by models for spacious and small-sized bathtubs, in addition, countertops can be designed for one or more sinks. In order not to face inconsistencies in size, shape and other design indicators, we recommend ordering countertops directly from manufacturers.
Do not pursue fashion and expensive exaggerated beauty when buying a natural stone countertop. Cast marble is no worse in terms of its aesthetic characteristics, and in terms of performance, it is in many ways superior to a natural product.
An overview of the marble countertop is shown below.