What should be the countertop in the bathroom? With your own hands, if you want, you can make fairly convenient options. The correct choice of the shape of this surface for the bathroom will help you not only significantly increase the useful area of the room, but also significantly improve its functionality. The table top is an integral part of the interior of the room. The right choice of this element will help to make the design unique and memorable.
Requirements
What you should pay attention to? For countertops in the bathroom, as well as for any other pieces of furniture, certain requirements are imposed. This equipment is used in specific conditions. In this case, we mean high humidity and sudden changes in temperature.
Even if you make a countertop in the bathroom under the sink with your own hands, it should still have the following qualities:
- anticorrosion;
- moisture resistance;
- resistance to aggressive chemicals;
- functionality (drawers, storage spaces and even household appliances can be built into it);
- superior appearance.
Types of designs
Let's dwell on this in more detail. Convenience and ergonomics are directly related to the type of design you use. There are various criteria by which countertops are classified. This element of the interior is separated by the method of placement and the method of installing the sink.
Namely:
- Solid: a design in which the sink and countertop are a single unit. Such designs are usually made of natural or artificial stone and glass. The main advantage of this option is its hygiene. There are virtually no places where dirt can accumulate. Such countertops will look best in the exquisite interiors of spacious bathrooms. They perfectly complement the luxurious rich atmosphere. The main disadvantage of such a surface is its large dimensions and poor functionality.
- Countertops for overhead or mortise sink. This type of design is best suited for small bathrooms in apartment buildings. The main advantage of this solution is its modularity. The design of this countertop usually includes a compartment in which detergents and personal hygiene items are placed. You can install this piece of furniture directly on the washing machine in the bathroom. An important advantage of this type of design is their simplicity and ease of maintenance.
Materials
Today their range is great. Once you have decided what design will have a countertop for a sink in the bathroom, made with your own hands, you can proceed to the selection of materials. In many ways, it will depend on the type of countertop. The material also has a direct impact on the cost of the finished product. Each of them has its advantages and disadvantages. In order to finally make a choice, it is necessary to consider each of the possible materials in more detail.
A natural stone
What is its feature? For the manufacture of luxury worktops, natural marble is usually used. From this material, structures with a matte or glossy surface can be made. If you correctly think about the lighting system in the bathroom, then it is realistic to achieve that marble will produce a rich palette of shades. To understand the beauty of this solution, just look at the photo of the countertops in the bathroom. Do it yourself is unlikely to make such designs with your own hands. The installation of marble countertops, as a rule, is carried out by high-class specialists.
As for the characteristics of the material, these include:
- durability;
- strength;
- reliability;
- sound absorption;
- respectable appearance.
Before considering the disadvantages of stone structures, it should be noted that this option can not be attributed to the budget. Installing countertops made of natural stone will require significant cash costs. At a cost such a product can be compared with the inexpensive repair of the entire bathroom. The disadvantage of this material is also very large weight. This greatly complicates the transportation and installation of the structure.
Fake diamond
Today it is understood as a special composite material consisting of polymers and mineral chips (marble, quartz, etc.). The industrial production of artificial stone today is quite widely developed. However, such a material differs from the natural one both in texture and in appearance.
The advantages of its use include:
- durability;
- strength;
- resistance to mechanical stress;
- simplicity in leaving;
- hygiene;
- high level of sound absorption;
- A wide selection of colors and designs.
When using material such as artificial stone, you can easily make an element of the desired shape. This greatly increases the space for imagination. Artificial stone also has its drawbacks.
These include:
- The presence of connecting seams in the manufacture of long structures.
- It is cheaper than natural stone, but much more expensive than other materials.
- Acrylic-based structures are sensitive to sudden changes in temperature.
- Countertops made of quartz agglomerate cannot be repaired if damaged.
It is also worth considering that such a countertop in the bathroom can not be made with its own hands. Installation should only be carried out by a specialist.
Glass countertops
What is their feature? Today, bathroom solutions made of glass are gaining great popularity. As a rule, such countertops are a solid product. Choosing this option, it should be borne in mind that it will not work to adjust the countertop to the required size. As a rule, it has an excellent appearance and is well resistant to mechanical stress and the formation of fungus and mold. An important advantage of countertops of this type is also affordable cost.
As for the shortcomings, then they include:
- Demanding care: if you do not pay the necessary attention to the surface, it will soon lose its original appearance.
- Fragility.
Tree
To date, designs from this material are quite popular. Particular coziness and comfort brings a wooden countertop to the bathroom. With your own hands such a design can be made. As a rule, coniferous wood is used for this purpose. An array of teak and oak can also be used.
The main advantage of wooden surfaces is their unique appearance. However, it is worth considering that the term of use of such countertops is limited. Even with careful care and gentle handling, their service life is limited to one decade. Therefore, you need to think carefully whether you really need a wood worktop in the bathroom. With your own hands, it is unlikely that you will be able to make a high-quality design.
MDF and particleboard
What is the peculiarity of these materials? Many are quite skeptical of countertops made from pressed chips or paper. However, when using modern technologies and coating MDF and particleboard with special compositions, they make it possible to use these materials as countertops under the bathroom sink. Today, more and more people prefer to use just such an option.
The advantages of MDF and particleboard worktops include:
- Low cost.
- Possibility of manufacturing any design.
- Ease of installation. Making such a countertop in the bathroom with your own hands will not cause any special problems.
The disadvantages of this option are also enough. But the most important of them is considered a short life. Even with minor surface damage, a complete replacement of the entire structure is likely to be required.
Drywall
What is he like? If you are considering how to make a plasterboard countertop in a bathroom with your own hands, then you need to take into account one important feature: this material should be used only as a basis for the supporting structure. After installation, the surface must be faced. For this purpose, simple ceramic tiles, glass, decorative stone or mosaic are suitable. It is thanks to the presence of a large selection of design options that drywall is very popular. The advantages of this material can also include low cost, ease of installation, processing and transportation.
Making a countertop
Where to start? How to make a countertop in the bathroom with your own hands? Such a design may well be made even by one who does not have special skills. It is enough to have desire and some free time. Next, step by step instructions for the manufacture of such a design will be considered.
The countertop for the bathroom has some features. They must be taken into account during manufacture.
What is necessary?
In order to make such an element of the interior as a countertop in the bathroom under the sink, with your own hands, you will need the following set of tools:
- 2-3 sheets of moisture-proof drywall;
- metallic profile. The type and quantity of this element will depend on the complexity of the design being developed;
- brackets;
- several sheets of plywood;
- putty with moisture protection;
- epoxy adhesive;
- jigsaw and punch;
- scissors for metal work;
- epoxy resin protective solution;
- glass tile, tile or mosaic.
Step-by-step instruction: recommendations of specialists
What is she like? If you are interested in how to make a countertop in a bathroom from a mosaic with your own hands, it is enough to familiarize yourself with the following simple instruction:
- Carrying out the necessary measurements and installation of the frame from metal profiles. At this stage, it is necessary to transfer the previously prepared drawing to the walls of the bathroom. Measurements must be carried out with extreme care. Be sure to use the building level. When the corresponding marking is applied to the walls, you can begin to assemble the metal frame.
- Facing with drywall. After creating a metal base, you can start working directly with the material. At this stage, you need to cut a hole for the washbasin. After that, the upper surface can be mounted in the frame. Then the walls of the structure are sheathed with sheets of drywall. To fix them, glue and self-tapping screws should be used.
- Facing with a mosaic. On the sides of the drywall with a spatula, it is necessary to apply an adhesive base. After that, pieces of the mosaic are laid on it. When the wall is completely sheathed, it will be possible to begin to align the side surface. To do this, the tiles glued to the drywall are simply pressed to the surface.
- Covering the upper plane. In order to lay out the plane around the sink with a mosaic, it is recommended to use a marker to transfer the contour of the circle to the tile. Pieces of mosaic are cut out on the drawn lines. After that, using a spatula, glue is applied to the surface of the countertop. Pre-prepared items are laid on the plane in the correct order.
- Covering the sides of the countertop. The last step is to finish the sides. Here it is necessary to act according to the already worked out scheme: glue is applied to the sidewalls, mosaic pieces are laid on top. Upon completion of work, the surface is leveled. Now we can assume that the surface is prepared for the installation of the sink.
What should you pay special attention to when making a countertop in the bathroom with your own hands? Drywall sheets should be well protected from moisture. The entire structure should not contain places in which moisture can accumulate.
Conclusion
Finishing surfaces in the bathroom is a fairly time-consuming process. This also applies to such an element as a countertop in the bathroom under the sink. With your own hands, you can very well make a simple design from drywall. With the right choice of design options, you will make a unique piece of furniture.