Anyone in tune to the real estate market is bound to understand the importance of having upgraded bathrooms in his home. These days, buyers are looking for bathrooms with large-sized tubs and showers, elegant flooring, ample storage, and, most importantly, high-end countertops. In fact, in many cases, it is the countertops that can truly end up making or breaking a bathroom on the aesthetic front.
When it comes to bathroom countertop materials, homeowners these days have more options than ever from which to choose. Mario Rappa is the owner of A-Z Nassau Construction Corp., a family-owned general contracting company that has been serving Long Island and New York City since 1999, and according to him, the following are some of the trendiest options for bathroom countertops today:
Granite
Granite is one of the strongest natural stones available for residential use. While granite used to be limited in quantities and supply, these days, it has become more widely available for those looking for high-end bathroom countertops. Granite is available in a wide variety of colors and patterns, from solid black to speckled earth tones to vibrant greens and blues. Not only is granite attractive, it is also durable. Granite is heat and scratch-resistant, and it is highly unlikely to stain. For these reasons, it has become an increasingly popular choice among homeowners looking to invest in long-lasting countertops. While granite is certainly far from cheap, it has actually become increasingly economical in recent years. On the other hand, not all granite is created equal. Most granite yards tend to break their selections down into varying levels of both quality and uniqueness. Tthe higher the level is, the more pricey the slab in question is likely to be.
Marble
Like granite, marble is another natural stone that is known for its beauty and durability. While granite is suitable for both bathroom and kitchen countertop use, marble, due to its sensitivity to certain foods and cleaners, is usually reserved for bathrooms only. These days, homeowners looking to invest in marble countertops have plenty of stylistic options at their fingertips, from multicolored, swirled patterns to pure white. From a cost perspective, marble and granite tend to be somewhat comparable, with certain types of marble being far more expensive than others.
Silestone
Silestone is a man-made material primarily comprised of natural quartz. One reason why so many homeowners are choosing silestone these days is the fact that unlike granite, it offers a uniform look that, from a design perspective, can be easier to work with. Those who happen to particularly enjoy accessorizing in their bathrooms tend to find that silestone lends to more choices as far as accent items such as mirrors, towel bars, and shower curtains are concerned. Silestone is available in an array of colors and patterns, and is generally a cheaper alternative to marble and granite. Since the material is nonporous, it is highly resistant to stains and other such wear and tear, making it a solid investment for anyone looking to upgrade his bathroom countertops.
CaesarStone
Another example of an engineered material, CaesarStone is a quartz-based product that has taken the home improvement market by storm over the past number of years. Like silestone, CaesarStone is available in a variety of attractive styles and colors, and it offers the benefit of a clean, uniform look. CaesarStone is an appealing choice for bathroom countertops because it is both durable and incredibly easy to maintain. In fact, all one has to do to care for CaesarStone is to simply apply water and soap to clean off any dirt or spills that might result from everyday use. Like granite, marble, and silestone, CaesarStone is highly resistant to stains and scratches, and it is designed in a manner that allows its beauty to last a lifetime. From a cost perspective, CaesarStone is a fairly pricey material and can easily end up costing more than both marble and granite depending on a homeowner’s selection of choice. On the other hand, CaesarStone is a great option for the environmentally conscious, as many of its styles are designed using eco-friendly materials and components.
If you’re looking to upgrade your bathroom countertops and have a bit of money to spend on the project, then all of the above-listed options are sure to enhance the beauty of your home in an instant and serve you well in the long run. Remember, a bathroom countertop upgrade is a huge investment, but it’s also one that is highly likely to offer a great return when the time does come for you to sell your home. So choose wisely, and with any luck, you’ll find the perfect bathroom countertops that combine trendiness and elegance into one eye-catching package.
