One of the most important items to take into account when planning your new bathroom are the worktops.
There are many different types of worktop available, all of which have their respective advantages.
Choosing the right worktop for your bathroom is an exciting task but one which needs careful consideration. Like so many other design projects you can have great fun and express yourself, but remember the practicalities of your room. Show off your individual nature, make your bathroom look fabulous and decide on an option that suits both your project and your budget.
To help with your decision, we caught up with design experts at The Utopia Bathroom Group, who gave us their advice on the range of options available.
Laminate worktops
Laminate worktops are an extremely cost effective-solution. They are made from a wood chip core material to which a hard-wearing printed surface is bonded and, if cared for, will look good for a long time. Due the vast number of options and attractive pricing of laminate worktops, pound for pound they probably give you the widest choice of colours and finishes available.
They are available in a wide array of plain colours and natural textures such as wood grains and granite prints, as well as other prints that cannot be achieved in any of the other materials mentioned below.
These worktops generally have a ‘pencil' or ‘bull-nosed' edge and may require on site cutting and edging by an experienced tradesman to obtain that all-important professional finish.
Solid surface worktops
Solid surface worktops are an excellent mid-range product for your bathroom. This manufactured acrylic surface is a man-made material that is available in plain or granite finish - some of which have small flecks of colour throughout, giving it an excellent replica appearance of natural granite.
An acrylic finish means that the surface is durable, long lasting and non-porous. These properties allow the surface to be bacteria, stain and mould resistant as well as being easily maintained. Scratches and scuffs can be buffed out, giving solid surface worktops an advantage over its laminate alternative. A solid surface worktop is a bespoke product and as such can be constructed in a variety of shapes.
Joins and corners are practically invisible with no unsightly lines that sometimes occur with laminate worktops.
Silestone worktops
Manufactured almost entirely from quartz, Silestone is a natural looking product that feels and behaves like marble or granite. Available in approximately forty colours and textures, it offers an alternative to marble and granite, yet has a uniformity of finish that cannot be achieved with a natural alternative.
Silestone has a tough durable surface which makes it incredibly resistant to scratches. It has excellent antibacterial properties and is impervious to moisture, so will never suffer from water damage. Silestone is usually cut from a large slab of material so it can be used as a worktop for a single wash basin unit or a complete run of bespoke bathroom furniture.
Marble and granite
Still the benchmark for luxury, marble and granite worktops work as well in the bathroom environment as they do in the kitchen. Marble and granite worktops are usually considered the best option available for a number of reasons. They're natural and, what's more, there's variation in the hues and textures throughout the surface, making each product unique and individual.
The surface is extremely tough, heat and stain resistant, and low maintenance. Marble and granite are also available in a large range of different colours and finishes, and will outlive all other items within your bathroom.
Nailed your bathroom surfaces? Check out our guide to how to choose the right kitchen worktop for your home.