What is the Difference Between Kitchen and Bathroom Countertops?
So you’re looking to do some home renovations, including updating the bathroom and modernizing the kitchen. However, in an effort to be efficient, you might start looking at what rooms you could use the same materials in. This could potentially streamline the process and give your home a greater sense of cohesion.
Looking at the kitchen and bathroom, you might notice that both need new countertops. They add beauty and value to the room, as well as plenty of surface area for appliances and supplies. So you might be thinking, for the sake of simplicity and cohesion, you can use the same countertop material for both rooms. After all, there’s no difference between kitchen countertops and bathroom countertops, right? Wrong.
The Difference Between Kitchen Countertops and Bathroom Countertops
The difference between kitchen and bathroom countertops is subtle but important to know. Mainly, the size and thickness of the countertops are different. Kitchens generally need thicker, more durable countertop materials than bathrooms. Bathrooms also need countertops that can withstand moisture even more than kitchens due to their greater exposure to humidity, so they need to be less porous than what you can put in a kitchen. So while the difference isn’t necessarily obvious at first glance, countertops can make a world of difference in the longevity and functionality of the rooms.
Kitchen Countertops
Kitchen countertops see a lot of use. Heavy appliances smack the surface, hot pans are placed on them, and they can get scratched by cutlery if you’re not careful. On top of that, kitchens are one of the focal points of your home, and also a room that gets dirty quickly. You’ll want a material that is easy to clean, and possibly can even hide stains with their pattern or coloration.
Therefore, you can’t skimp on form or function when remodeling. Thick, durable, heat-resistant materials are essential for a good kitchen countertop design. They also need to be wide enough to support appliances like stand mixers, microwaves, and air fryers. And, of course, you need plenty of room to cook, so you need a material that comes in the right width.
Bathroom Countertops
Bathrooms require a lot of thought when remodeling because space is often limited. Thus, countertops tend to be shorter and thinner than their kitchen counterparts. But while kitchens need durable materials to withstand scratches and impact, bathroom countertops need a different kind of durability.
You see, your bathroom is exposed to bacteria and chemicals that your kitchen likely never sees. Even toothpaste, mouthwash, and soap can take a toll on a bathroom over time. On top of that, many use harsher chemicals to sanitize bathroom surfaces than the kitchen’s. That’s because there’s less risk of the chemicals accidentally getting into your food, and a greater concentration of bacteria, especially when humidity from the shower helps bacteria grow. So while you don’t need countertops that are as hard or heat-resistant, they can’t be something that will be worn down by chemicals.
While it’s good to try to streamline the remodeling process for certain rooms, it’s just as important to recognize where there are significant differences. Talk to our builders today to help you pick out the perfect countertops for your bathroom and kitchen today.
