Bathroom countertops must be strong enough to withstand various hazards and maintain their original appearance and qualities. They should also feature classy, cosmetic colors and artistic design patterns to enhance their aesthetic appeal. In order to satisfy all these conditions, you must be very careful and perceptive before buying any materials for your bathroom countertops. There are several types of materials that are highly regarded for bathroom countertops — all the major options are discussed and compared below.

Granite vs. Other Natural Stone

Although natural stones like granite and marble are still considered high-end materials, their prices have dropped significantly over the years. Available in many different shades and finishes including polished, satin and honed, granite now comes in many grades that are quite affordable even for a standard bathroom remodeling budget. Although granite is susceptible to grease staining unless it’s properly sealed, it’s more stain-resistant than the softer and more porous marble, limestone, and soapstone.

Natural Stone vs. Engineered Stone

Engineered stone countertops are maintenance-free and more durable as compared to natural stone vanity tops. They are also available in many colors and finishes natural stone creations. Like the other natural stone options, engineered materials cost the same as granite countertops.

Solid Surface vs. Composite Marble

Solid surface materials like quartzite are popular vanity-top choices. The easy to clean and dry material, is stain resistant, seamless, durable, and is available in many colors and shades. However, unlike natural or engineered stone, solid surface can’t stand heat or wear. Originally, composite marble was made from marble and polyester resin. Nowadays, it looks like solid surface but lacks in durability — it is recommended for tight budget remodels.

Concrete

Concrete is a favorite material for creating full customizable bathroom countertops. The highly economical material allows you to embellish your vanity top and sinks by shaping decorative edges in any desired way, and adding creative inlays and colored pigments. On the downside, concrete is easily discolored and you are advised to seal and wax your countertop with paste 2-4 times per year and every 2-3 months respectively. Many plumbing companies recommend solid surface and concrete as suitable countertop materials. Consult any company in your area that provides such services for advice. For instance, any professional company in Washington DC that offers bathroom remodeling and DC sewer services will b e able to assist you properly with a bathroom remodel if you live in this locality.

Other Materials

Other viable materials include: laminate, tiles, tempered glass, and wood.

Laminate is a vanity top material that is offered in a variety of finishes including granite and solid surface lookalikes. It is cheap, versatile, water-resistant, and stain-proof; but is vulnerable to heat and wear.

Tile surfaces are available in a vast range of finishes (natural stone) and colors (ceramics) — they can be artistically installed to create breathtaking patterns. However, tiles are high maintenance surfaces because they trap a lot of sludge in their grout borders.

Although it fits well in contemporary bathrooms, the edges of tempered glass countertops must be thoroughly polished — even then, it’s not recommended for kids’ bathrooms.

Finally, wood surface countertops are a recommendable choice, especially if you wish to project a cozy, attractive and organic design theme. However, wood is porous and must be properly sealed to prevent rot caused by water seepage.

Before launching a bathroom remodeling/makeover project, it is always advisable to evaluate your needs, set project goals and objectives, research and consult, and then choose the right plumbing materials and contractors. Although it involves a relatively small space, a bathroom renovation project requires extensive resources and a lot of dedication and commitment by all the parties involved. This necessitates the consideration of a stringent set of factors, such as the client’s needs and preferences, project budget and time schedule, the desired style and design, before committing to any aspect of the project. Despite its inherent complexity, the entire bathroom remodeling project can be compressed into the following comprehensive steps.

Conceptualizing The Idea

The first step in the long road to a successful bathroom remodeling project involves assessing the feasibility and practicality of the proposed undertaking in accordance with various personal, financial, and situational factors. As the initial planning phase, this step dwells on the proposed/desired style and function of the new bathroom. Based on the source of your inspiration for the project, you might consider one or more remodeling designs, such as the contemporary, small mid-century bath, traditional, or rustic master bath style, as a starting point.

Project Purpose And Scope

The next step involves a more direct approach in the evaluation and resolution of some of the issues or factors highlighted in the first step. In this planning phase, you should consider the purpose of this project in relation to your bathroom needs and preferences. You should then select the bathroom design space that will appropriately fulfill these needs following a successful makeover, such as a full, master, half-bath or powder room, or a kid-friendly bathroom.

Cost Assessment And Budgeting

Now that you have a rough idea about the purpose, nature, and scope of your project, you can draft a realistic implementation plan of the bathroom remodel. First of all, you need to conduct some research regarding the practical aspects of the project. This involves consulting professional plumbers for advice and guidance. In this step, you should create a realistic budget estimate with itemized spending provisions based on the information gathered from your consultative and research sessions. To come up with a viable budget plan, you should work with experts on all project paradigms. For instance, if you wish to get reliable information regarding a specialized service, use the internet to search and choose the right consultants. If you live in a certain city like Washington DC, you can search for professional plumbers offering sewer services in DC on the web. You can then engage these specialists and ask any questions regarding the project.

Comprehensive Project Design

The fourth step involves the actual project design and space planning. At this stage, you should be familiar with most, if not all, the practical alterations that will be made to your bathroom. You should be able to evaluate and plan the layout of the new bathroom space. You should also be able to decide on the most appropriate changes that are needed in your bathroom including the fixtures, lighting installations, surfaces, and finishes.

Acquiring Materials And Getting Started

The fifth step will commence with the actual purchase of all the budgeted plumbing materials and installations. Using your detailed design plans and your realistic budget estimate, you will shop for various items including countertops, pipes, wall materials, cabinets, and other specialty features. Finally, to complete this last step, you will hire the right plumbing company, assemble all the required resources, and launch the project.

Bathroom fixtures, such as sinks, faucets and tubs/showers, are considered as the last installations during a bathroom remodeling/renovation project. Despite their priority lag, industry analysts recommend purchasing fixtures early on before the end of the project. Incidentally, this gives you ample time to budget, plan and compare prices before settling on a suitable choice. Like any other installations, bathroom fixtures must be functional, sturdy, economical, durable and aesthetically appealing. Before acquiring your bathroom fixtures, take time and consider the following issues — you will make a wiser decision.

Your Desired Bathroom Style

Before you create an itemized budget for your bathroom fixtures, choose several bathroom remodeling designs and styles from various magazines and present them as illustrative guidelines to your home remodeler. Using your graphic design choices, any seasoned designer will be able to assist you in formulating a realistic budget for your bathroom fixtures without undermining your desired style. Depending on your budget for the entire project, you might allocate an initial cash estimate for buying all the fixtures. However, to create a detailed estimate, consult a professional designer or plumber in your home region. You can search the web using key search terms like a professional or reputable plumbing company in DC to view all such companies in this area — if it’s your home city.

Choosing The Sinks

Sinks are available in many different styles and designs — you must take your time to make a decision. Although they are hard to clean, drop-in sinks are the most economical offerings in the market. Undermount sinks, which are available in many different price points, are situated beneath the countertop to overcome the cleaning problem. Offered at a premium price range, vessel sinks are installed as standalone elements on the countertop; rendering a distinctive and elegant flair to the bathroom style. Other options include freestanding pedestal sinks, which maximize space usage and integral sinks, which are single unit combinations of a sink and a countertop.

Bathroom Lavatories

Due to its competitive pricing, décor versatility, and ease of maintenance, vitreous china is the most popular material for making bathroom toilets today. Metal toilet bowls made from either stainless steel, copper or other metals are mostly used in contemporary bathroom remodels. They are high maintenance and more expensive than vitreous china toilets.

Glass lavatories are considered novel and chic and are featured in high-end renovations — they are quite delicate and fragile. Cultured/composite marble made from marble and polyester resin is a popular material for classic bathroom styles. It is relatively expensive and vulnerable to wear.

The Faucets

Considered as focal or feature points of the bath, faucets can consume a significant portion of your budget. Avoid this by choosing a suitable type of faucet that is within your budget. Wide-spread faucets feature a spout with both hot and cold water handles, while two-handle center-set faucets combine the spout and both handles on a single base. Single set faucets are a type of center-set that features an all-in-one spout and mixing handle. Wall-mounted faucets are paired with countertop, freestanding basins and installed on a separate wall-mount valve and drain.

Fixture Finishes

Choose a befitting finish for your fixtures to match or complement your bathroom design theme and style. For instance, oil-wiped bronze is recommended for classic/traditional remodels, while polished nickel suits both modern and vintage designs. With oil-rubbed bronze and satin nickel costing the same, chrome is the most affordable finish.

If you can afford it, it’s advisable to indulge in a little bit of luxury every once in a while. After all, life is too short and unpredictable. When planning for a bathroom remodeling/renovation project, you might consider installing some deluxe fixtures and additives in order to render an opulent outlook in your home. Additionally, these high-end features are designed to enhance the functional and experiential benefits of the new bathroom. By making the bathroom more classy and cozy, these elegant ideas transform the bathroom from a mere utilitarian space to a special “retreat” or “sanctuary” within the house. If you wish to rejuvenate your bathroom into a sumptuous get away, implement some of the following grand remodeling ideas.

Steam Showers

By combining warmth and controlled vigor, a steam shower is the ultimate relaxation treat after a long and tiresome day at work. Aromatherapy steam showers feature lavender soothing oils for enhanced relaxation and medicinal effects on a tired body. Actually, with modern bathroom remodels, steam showers are now considered necessities instead of luxuries. You can order steam showers from any reliable vendor in your locality. Some vendors offer free installation services to their customers. For instance, if you live in Washington DC, seek out any reputable company that advertises itself for DC bathroom remodels and assess their terms of engagement. Choose the most rewarding bargain in terms of quality and cost, keeping in mind skills and experience are just as important.

Chromotherapy

Install feel-good colored lights in your shower or bathtub to experience the amazing effects of a spa treatment in the comfort of your bathroom. Also called color therapy, chromotherapy refers to the diffusion of soothing colors in water using submersed LED lights — they change to suit your mood. Popular for its health benefits, this feature can be installed singly or complemented with other therapeutic options like aromatherapy for optimal effects.

Bidets

Considered a luxury in some parts of the world, a bidet is a common bathroom fixture in Europe. Bidets are alternative cleansing appliances that require little bathroom space to install. Featuring a handy faucet water control, a bidet user cleanses his body using warm, aerated water instead of a tissue paper. The user straddles the bidet and a nozzle projects a gentle spray of water for body cleansing. For standard bathroom renovations, you can install a toilet with a bidet seat and enjoy the same benefits.

Heated Floors

Bathroom floors, especially those made from natural stone, porcelain, or ceramic tiles, are usually very cold to step on. This is usually the case if the bathroom remains unused for a longtime or if cold water is poured on the floor, such as after someone tales a cold shower. In-floor heating systems are functional appliances that are quite affordable and hence highly recommendable. Basically, these are electric mats that are installed underneath the bathroom floor. Featuring either automatic or manual settings, these mats heat the floor ensuring a cozy and desirable sensation to the feet.

Elegant Remodeling Style

For an undoubtedly luxurious bathroom, the overall remodeling style or theme should be defined as chic or rich. In other words, all the features, fixtures, appliances, installations and finishes should exude opulence. For instance, if you desire a classically rich bathroom style, go with royal or vibrant colors and lights, and a voguish design that includes ornate fixtures, bold and elegant tile patterns, lavish cabinet designs, and extravagant mirror frames.

One of the most desirable and valuable plumbing fixtures during a typical bathroom remodel/renovation is the bathtub. Generally, bathtubs and showers are considered as must-have complementary fixtures in upscale bathroom remodels.  While showers offer a fast and convenient bathing solution, bathtubs are designed for existential comfort and relaxation. Regardless of your preferred style and design, bathtubs add a luxurious touch to your bathroom. They offer a host of sensational benefits including enhancing the aesthetic appeal of the bathroom and ensuring soothing and meditative bathing experiences. In order to reap all these gains and more, you must choose the right bathtub for your bathroom. Choose wisely by considering the following factors.

Bathroom Layout And Size

The type and style of bathtub installed depends on the bathroom attributes. Considering the vast types of bathtubs on offer today, the bathroom size and layout will enable you to make an insightful choice. For instance, if your bathroom is small and you wish to maximize space, go for either the alcove tub/shower combination, or the drop-in or corner tub — under-mounts are floor-level (drop-in tub) installations. On the other hand, freestanding and claw-foot bathtubs will fit any favored space on the bathroom layout.

Additional Features And Accessories

Modern bathtub installations feature an array of luxurious design options and functional enhancements. Before acquiring a bathtub, consider any additional features that you might appreciate depending on your personal bathing needs and preferences. For example, a chromotherapeutic tub will contain underwater LED lights that change in color to match your mood. Some bathtubs have resonant speakers that play selected music; thereby sending skin-soothing underwater vibrations during a bath. Finally, whirlpool tubs are accessorized with multi-speed settings to control the vigor of their jets and bubbles, in-line heaters and bubble jets to warm the tub water and prevent heat loss, and foot massage jets on submerged footrests. Most tub models have a built-in digital touchpad for adjusting these features.

Installation Requirements And Certification

Some bathtubs, like walk-in tubs require extensive deployment preparations and specialized installation know-how. Also, bathtubs are inspected and approved for safety standards and quality assurance in accordance with various ADA rules and regulations. Ensure that a bathtub is properly tested and certified before buying it for a bathroom remodel. Consult a professional plumber or reputable tub vendor in your locality for advice on such matters. For example, if you reside in Washington DC, you can consult a well-established DC plumber for assistance regarding these issues.

Quality And Cost

Before buying a bathtub, conduct some research on the reputable manufacturers in your region. A quality bathtub should have a lengthy warranty covering its tub shell (physical surface and structure) and its operating system. You should also include an estimate cost for the bathtub in your overall bathroom remodel budget. To ensure a cost/quality balance, buy a bathtub that is both durable and affordable — in accordance to the projected expenditure.

Efficiency And Suitability

The filling and drainage time of a bathtub indicates its operational and functional efficiency. To save time and avoid chilly soak-ins, a bathtub should be fitted with fast-filling faucets that reduce water filling time. Additionally, the tub should have a pump-aided drainage operating system to boost its drainage speed. Finally, choose a model and style that suits your bath needs, such as a corner bathtub for double baths or dual bathing.

We Are Now Offering Bathroom Remodeling In DC

If you are in need of someone that can help you remodel your bathroom, please don’t hesitate to give us a call.  We have been remodeling bathrooms in Northern Virginia for over 20 years, so it’s not that we don’t have experience, its that we are just now offering it in the DC area.  We are very good at what we do an affordable.

You can count on the following from us:

1. A great price
2. Quality items
3. On Time and will always meet deadlines if possible
4. Polite and ready to work with you
5. We will always pickup after ourselves and never leave you with a mess.  We clean up our mess daily.

What To Look For In A DC Plumber

1. Look at the quality they are offering.  The last thing you want is a cheap piece of furniture in your home that is going to break in a few weeks.
2. Ask for a price and compare it with other plumbers.  Then figure out what each plumber is offering within the price.  Don’t just take the cheapest price, they may be selling you half the remodel for all you know.  Always ask what is included.
3. Ask if they are a master plumber.  I can’t tell you how many handy men think they know how to do it all and plumbing isn’t generally one of them.
4. Ask questions to the plumber that comes out to your home to make sure they are knowledgeable.  You should never know more than the plumber.
5. Make sure the plumber that visits your home is well dressed, polite, and ready to work with you.  The last thing you want is for someone to boss you around in your own home and you not getting what you want.  You don’t want to pay someone for something you don’t like.  If you are paying money, make sure you get exactly what makes you happy.

So again if you are looking for a bathroom remodeling company in DC, please give us a call so we can at least give you a free quote.