The countertop for the bathroom is an integral attribute of a modern bathroom. The presence of the surface makes the room even more practical, more functional, more aesthetic. Throw away the old modest “moidodyr” and the cramped hanging shelves that hung the walls until today. With a worktop, you have at your disposal a spacious module for storing makeup products and bath accessories, and the wall space can now be used for its intended purpose - to mount a large mirror.
Cabinet and countertop: the main differences
Salons and shops offer pretty monotonous furniture. An option that harmoniously fits into the concept of a bathroom in a house or apartment is not so easy to find, and sometimes it turns out that it is completely impossible. Especially when the room is made in the original design or is characterized by a non-standard shape or area.
The classic option - the cabinet under the sink - is not for you, then stop the choice on the countertop. The design, in addition to an attractive design, is ergonomic and portable, and costs much cheaper than the conveyor furniture on the market.
Choose a countertop for the bathroom, focusing on the model of the used plumbing device. So, for a desktop sink any surface is suitable - that is stone, that is wooden. But with embedded designs, everything is much more complicated. For such modules, it is necessary to select easily cutting material: composite, MDF, laminated particleboard. Hanging sinks are completely mounted on hinged countertops.
Features of monolithic structures
Pay attention to the monolithic designs - countertops with sinks for the bathroom. This is interesting not only in terms of comfort, but also practicality. Such a plan models are good in many ways:
- simplicity in leaving;
- stylish look;
- ease of installation;
- lack of difficulties with connecting plumbing and cutting countertops.
Standard single countertops with sinks for the bathroom are complemented by double and even triple modifications, which is indispensable for large families.
"Innovative hybrid" does not lose in front of other designs, neither in aesthetic nor in operational terms.
In small bathrooms, the space under the small solid-cast countertops is used, for example, by integrating a washing machine under the countertop for the bathroom.
What should be the countertop under the washbasin
Bathroom - a room where a microclimate with high humidity prevails. Therefore, when choosing furniture, be sure to consider the type of room and in this case, choose only moisture-proof furniture. Overnight, bathroom furniture does not lend itself to as many loads as a kitchen worktop, because absolutely invulnerable models are useless.
A high-quality countertop for the bathroom meets the following criteria:
- neatly executed;
- aesthetic
- designer attractive;
- roomy;
- resistant to all kinds of detergents, gels and powders.
What tabletops are made from: a review of material options
In the market of bathroom furniture, countertops for washstands are presented in a wide range. Most often, buyers pay attention to such options for the execution of countertops:
- from chipboard;
- from MDF;
- from stone - natural or artificial;
- from natural wood;
- from glass;
- from plastic.
In addition, the countertop for the bathroom is easily made with plasterboard sheets and decorative material - glass, tile, ceramic mosaic, decorative stone.
Particleboard - cheap, but ...
Tabletops made of laminated chipboard are very popular, due to the low cost of the surface and satisfactory quality. Manufacturers offer all kinds of colors and textures, which makes the choice of chipboard countertops the preferred option, because you can buy an inexpensive stand, integrating it into any style of interior.
The module from the chipboard is another opportunity to beat the shape and texture, and if necessary it is easy to replace it with another coating in the trend.
Surfaces with the effect of imitation of natural stone, wood, mosaic are popular. No less interesting are the options for the monophonic design of the countertops for the bathroom under the sink. Color is not the only difference between the chipboard modules. Including texture:
The assortment of more than a hundred attractive colors.
The client can always choose a ready-made offer or order an individual production option. In the second case, do not limit your choice of drawing. The modern capabilities of digital printing technology make it possible to realize any fantasy decor.
A special protective layer makes the surface of the particleboard made of chipboard resistant to shock, scratches, exposure to sunlight, cleaning products.
What to look for when buying tabletops from chipboard
Edging is the main problem of chipboard. When buying such a plate, pay special attention to this structural element. With poor-quality gluing of the film, moisture and water penetrate under the outer layer, contributing to the swelling of the plate, the development of fungal formations.
If you are not ready in 1-2 years to say goodbye to the bathroom countertop under the sink, choose surface models from chipboard that are made using the latest postforming technology - the edges of the plastic are wrapped around the base of the countertop. In this case, the bend angle can be 90 ° - turning around at the end, or 180 ° - hiding under the countertop. The second option, of course, is more practical, therefore it is preferable. However, the processing technology is only suitable for straight sections. Curved tabletops and surfaces of non-standard thickness need additional protection - by gluing the edges.
In any case, the stove can be adjusted or trimmed to the desired parameters yourself, without the need for the help of specialists - this will save your time and save the budget.
When working with a chipboard worktop, do not worry that it will get dirty - the surface is easy to clean. But be careful, because with diligent cleaning the film is easily damaged.
Stylish and monumental option: natural stone surface
Surfaces are characterized by strength, reliability, durability, attractive appearance. The only thing that bothers buyers of stone worktops is stone - the price. The option is expensive. Moreover, not only the surface itself will cost a lot, but also the installation of the structure, in the region of 30% of the cost of the countertop. Such a tabletop should only be installed on a special, strong pedestal due to the considerable specific gravity of the structure.
For the production of stone worktops for the bathroom, special stone slabs (granite, marble, basalt) with a thickness of 20-40 mm are used.
Stone modules look very beautiful, but require careful behavior. Natural stone perfectly complements any interior. It looks organically combined with glass, ceramic products, chrome and mirror surfaces.
Reasons to choose an artificial stone
Coverage models of this kind demonstrate a number of advantages over other modules. You have definitely heard about this material, but do you know that it comes in two types - agglomerated and acrylic?
Agglomerates are obtained by combining marble, granite or quartz chips with polyester resins. The material looks quite realistic, because most of all it resembles an artificial stone. Thanks to special technology, the manufacturer manages to paint artificial marble bathroom countertops in various colors. The main advantage of agglomerates is strength, because quartz is the second mineral after diamond in hardness.
The acrylic “stone” contains resins, aluminum hydroxide, mineral fillers, pigment additives. Like its relative, acrylic perfectly imitates all kinds of materials, conveying the color and texture of natural stone.
Thermoforming is a production technology that achieves any form of acrylic countertops, giving designers a wide opportunity to experiment with interiors. This design is easy to adjust to non-standard plumbing, organically fit into any layout, determining the dimensions of the bathroom countertops based on the volume of the sink and its shape.
The only significant drawback of acrylic is its low heat resistance. The functional module is easy to melt by touching a hot object, for example, a hair curler. Therefore, agglomerated stone is preferable.
The advantages of artificial stone countertops
A number of advantages of acrylic and agglomerated countertops include the following properties:
- water tightness;
- wear resistance;
- hygiene, since the surface is not prone to absorption of dirt, which means that it does not act as an environment for the development of pathogenic microorganisms and mold;
- untidiness, special care is not required, just clean the surface with a damp sponge or rag;
- resistance to chemicals included in detergents.
Delicate naturalness in the form of wooden countertops
The wooden surface is natural, has a pleasant appearance and aesthetics. This is what you need for a bathroom made in eco-style. A wooden bathroom worktop requires special care and respect, as well as solid wood furniture. Such a surface is characterized by hypersensitivity to mechanical influences, and to increase the life of the module, it is coated with special impregnation or varnish.
The compliance of wood contributes to the manufacture of countertops of any shape.
A few words about glass models of countertops
Such countertops are offered complete with sinks for the bathroom, since it is difficult, if not unrealistic, to fit the module to the necessary dimensions of the plumbing. The glass product is distinguished by sophistication, modernity, individual style. The price of countertops is quite affordable, and the material is not afraid of detergents, it is well washed.
Of the obvious shortcomings, fragility of the material, the need for constant care are noted.
Features of plastic modules
Cheapness and unpretentiousness - that is what attracts buyers in the plastic countertops for the bathroom.
The extreme lightness of the material contributes to the easy installation of the structure. But such countertops are not designed for long-term operation and will soon deteriorate, therefore it is better to pay attention to a more durable model of the sink stand in the bathroom.
Proper organization of space is now available thanks to the countertop:
- increasing the useful area of the bathroom;
- giving the interior a personality;
- allowing to modernize the room, making it more modern.
All these advantages come up on the basis of a wide selection of configurations of these products in the market of bathroom furniture, of course, you decide which of the above options to choose.