Choosing the Right Material for Your Bathroom Vanity
Bathroom vanities perform both practical and decorative functions. The most common and obvious use of vanities is for the storage of toiletries and bathroom linen. They can also be used to conceal unsightly water supply and drain pipes dangling from the sink. Vanities are also used to enhance the look and mood of the bathroom. Indeed, the design, colors, and materials used in a vanity can make or break your bathroom. This means that you will need to think and plan carefully what you really want from your vanity.
Countertops usually come either in stone or glass. Although technological advances in the manufacture of glass especially in the annealing process have made them extremely durable, stones are still deemed even stronger than them. Stone countertops are either in granite, marble, or travertine. These come is different colors thus allowing you to choose one that complements your bathroom walls.
Glass tiles are increasingly becoming popular for bathroom use both for the floors and walls. This is because of the radiance and iridescence that they reflect when illuminated, especially the glass mosaic kind. If your bathroom has these types of tiles, you may also want a glass countertop.
Some countertops may also be made of ceramic tiles with a concrete substrate. This can work well with walls and floors that are also of ceramic tiles. These kinds are usually custom-made.
Cabinets are often made of wood. Frames are usually made of solid hardwood while the panels are constructed from engineered wood. To protect these from moisture they are coated with several layers of paint and a top coat. They can also be laminated. In bathrooms that are challenged for space, however, a vanity cabinet under the sink may not be a good idea as it may be prone to getting splashed with water from the shower area.
The advantage of wood is that it can be painted with a color of your choice, or you may simply want to enhance the natural colors of the wood for a warm and cozy look.
To minimize the use of wood that can potentially rot, glass panes and sidings can also be used for the cabinet. You can choose translucent glass to conceal its contents.