Bathroom Countertops

Budget and space will dictate how elaborate bathroom countertops can be in your design. Countertops are available in numerous materials, and can be customized in just about any way imaginable. From a prefab vanity with counter, sink, and fixtures included, to a custom counter with multiple sinks; with custom design edges and backsplash made from exotic materials such as sandstone, granite or marble. The choices are limited only by your imagination, and pocketbook.

Bathroom countertops are available in laminate, (such as Formica or melamine) Corian®, ceramic or stone tile, concrete, quartz, granite, marble, sandstone, or stainless steel.

Basic considerations when planning a bathroom countertop include:

• Will you be handling the countertop installation yourself? Even a basic laminate countertop installation is a task requiring a high level of skill and precision for desired results. Many DIY homeowners opt to hire out this task.
• Ceramic or stone tile countertops are not as demanding as making and installing a laminate; however, errors in judgment can be more costly.

• Ceramic and tile are a viable DIY project for homeowners, as long as skill level is moderate and underlayment and final waterproofing recommendations are followed.

• Installation can range from modest to high when cost of materials and contractor hourly rates are factored in. A pre-fabricated, laminate countertop with standard shapes and edges can run approximately $10 to $11 per square foot for materials alone; expect about $40 to $50 per hour for installation.
• A rule-of-thumb for pre-fab countertops is that the cost of installation is usually equal to the price of the countertop itself. If walls are square and plumb, they can be installed easily; in a matter of hours. High end materials such as concrete, stone, or stainless steel can run up to $125 per square foot for a standard shape, standard edge countertop; this does not include installation. If the sky is the limit with budget considerations, nothing comes close to the stunning beauty of natural stone integrated into a lavish bathroom design.
• Will you be using a prefab vanity; units that include the base, countertop, sink, and fixtures? Vanities can range from around $350 for basic designs to $1500 and up for more elaborate double sink models. One good point about selecting a prefab vanity for your bathroom design is that it can be installed relatively easily, and is a good project for the DIY homeowner.

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