Bathrooms are some of the most popular rooms to redesign here in Montgomery. Because of this, the markets for materials and design ideas are completely saturated. When you go to redesign your bathroom, you’re left with a bit of option overload.
Maybe you already have an idea of the aesthetic you’d like to achieve. You might have some storage or functionality goals, too. However, with so many bathroom material options on the market, executing your design isn’t as straightforward as you’d hoped.
So, which materials are the best for a bathroom redesign? Ultimately, a lot of material matters come down to personal preference. However, there are several tried-and-true material options for creating a design that’s both aesthetically pleasing and low-maintenance.
Let’s talk about them.
The Golden Rule of Bathroom Materials
Before we jump into the actual materials, let’s chat about maintenance. You can design the most beautiful bathroom, but if you choose materials that are challenging to keep clean or maintain, you’ll be re-doing the bathroom again very soon.
The key to bathroom materials lies in acknowledging the moisture in the bathroom. Bathrooms get wet, and it’s not just inside the tub. There’s steam, splash water, and accidental flooding all the time in restrooms. And in Alabama, everything’s wet already with the humidity.
What this means for your bathroom is that you should always choose non-porous materials. Otherwise, you’re setting yourself up for headaches in the long run. So, what are those non-porous materials? Where should you use them?
For the Shower and Tub
There are several material options for your shower and tub. Many people love the look of a natural stone shower area, but the fact is, natural stone is incredibly challenging to maintain in the bathroom. That’s why the solid surface shower has become a popular alternative to natural stone. It can mimic the appearance without the maintenance headaches.
However, if you’re looking for an option for the wet area of your bathroom that’s going to maximize easiness while looking fantastic, look no further than acrylic bathroom products. The problem with most materials is that they just aren’t made to stand up to wetness. This causes mold, discoloration, material breakdown, odors, and more. Acrylic won’t peel, crack, or fade over time. It looks excellent and compared to the material alternatives, the installation is really speedy.
Countertop Materials
The same rules apply for your countertop that applies to the rest of the bathroom. You’re looking for non-porous and easy cleanup. If your bathroom counter also holds hair styling products, you also need a material that’s heat resistant.
Quartz bathroom countertops are a top choice for Montgomery homeowners. They’re non-porous, durable, heat-resistant, and they have the look of natural stone. If quartz isn’t your style, solid surface and glass are also great countertop options.
While designing your countertop, remember functionality. There’s no area more capable of making your bathroom more functional than the counter. Be sure to add extra storage below and consider making it an all-in-one-vanity style sink, counter, and mirror combination.
Flooring Options
Flooring is a tricky one. There’s no runaway winner here because every flooring option has its pros and cons. Tile tends to be the most popular bathroom flooring choice, but with the porous nature of grout, it doesn’t age well, and it’s also slippery. Vinyl is a popular alternative to tile because it’s easier to install, doesn’t require the grout, and it has a variety of style choices. However, it’s not always the best choice for a damp area.
There are other options for the bathroom floor, too. Polished and stained concrete floors tend to be a popular choice. While concrete is porous, once stained and sealed, it usually resists moisture pretty well. It also can be buffed and polished to be slip-resistant, making it an ideal choice for the bathroom. Other flooring choices include engineered wood and laminate.
Designing Your Dream Bathroom
There are a few other things to keep in mind with your design. Be sure that there’s proper ventilation in your bathroom. Ventilation ensures that moisture doesn’t linger for too long. Beyond that, be sure to pay attention to your fixture choices. Shiny, chrome fixtures are much more challenging to clean. Matte fixtures, on the other hand, don’t attract water stains or smudge as easily.
Ultimately, all the above materials would be perfect additions for your home. As with most things in the home design world, it’s all a matter of personal preference. Think about your preferences, and be sure to consider moisture and maintenance. As long as you remember the golden rule and go for non-porous materials whenever possible, you’ll have a design that will last you many years to come.
Mandy Lee is a contributor to Innovative Construction Materials. She is a blogger and content writer for the building materials industry. Mandy is focused on helping fellow homeowners, contractors, and architects discover materials and methods of construction that increase property value, maximize energy savings, and turn houses into homes.
