Kitchens may be the most popular room in the home to showcase natural stone, but bathrooms come a close second. Given that most homes have multiple bathrooms, choosing the right materials is crucial. Let’s explore the benefits, maintenance tips, and various applications of natural stone in the bathroom.
Natural Stone in Bathrooms: A Comprehensive Guide
Advantages of Natural Stone in Bathrooms
Style and Uniqueness
Natural stone offers a unique aesthetic that man-made materials can’t replicate. Each stone slab has distinct markings, colors, and patterns, transforming a utilitarian bathroom into a spa-like retreat. Natural stone’s timeless elegance has been valued for centuries for its strength and durability.
Every quarry in the world has a slightly different form of stone, and even within the same quarry, individual slabs of stone will have slightly different veining and coloring This means that a floor, countertop, or wall made of natural stone will always have a unique look from any other space in the world. Even if you select the same “color” stone as another person, your finished product may look totally one of a kind.
Maintenance
Maintaining natural stone is straightforward with the right approach. Routine cleaning can be done with a natural stone cleaner or a simple wet cloth. In our bathrooms, we are likely using soaps, lotions, and makeups which all land on our countertops. As long as you wipe your counter routinely, for example at the end of your morning routine, you should not experience stains. For a deeper clean or working on a stain, a mild dish soap solution typically works well. Modern sealers provide added protection against moisture, making natural stone more resistant to staining.
Types of Natural Stone
Granite
Granite is the most durable natural stone available, some of it’s notable characteristics are:
- Durability: Highly durable and low-maintenance.
- Variety: Available in numerous colors and patterns.
- Maintenance: Requires minimal care with occasional routine wiping.
Marble
Marble comes in different classifications with regard to the working characteristics of the stone. This industry classification doesn’t have a bearing on durability or maintenance of the stone. A and B have few veins or inclusions, where classifications of C and D have more. When it comes to customer experience with marble, it is more about the maintenance and sensitivity of this beautiful natural stone. The characteristics often associated with marble are:
- Elegance: Offers a luxurious appearance.
- Sensitivity: Prone to staining, and developing a patina over time from oils and acids.
- Care: Needs gentle cleaning and can be refinished to maintain its look.
Onyx
If you are really looking to make a statement, you could consider installing backlit Onyx in your bathroom. This could be a beautiful addition to a powder room or a luxury master bath. Two characteristics of onyx worth mentioning are:
- Aesthetics: Translucent and visually stunning, especially when backlit.
- Fragility: The most delicate of the options, requiring careful handling.
Maintenance Tips
Seal natural stone to protect against moisture and staining. Use appropriate cleaning products and techniques to maintain its appearance. Regularly inspect and address any issues promptly to prolong the stone’s life. Read our Complete Countertop Guide for more information on the maintenance and durability aspect of natural stone.
Pros and Cons of Natural Stone in Bathrooms
While there are many pros that we’ve already covered, as with anything there are some drawbacks to natural stone in the bathroom.
Pros
- Unique Aesthetics: Each piece is one-of-a-kind.
- Durability: Long-lasting with proper care.
- Variety: Numerous options in colors, patterns, and finishes.
Cons
- Slipperiness: Can be slippery when wet. This is especially important to take into consideration if you are considering natural stone for the shower or bathroom floor. You can select a “honed” finish to reduce slipperiness.
- Coldness: Natural stone can be cold underfoot. If you are opting for a natural stone floor, you may want to consider a radiant floor heating system as well.
- Staining: Some stones are more prone to staining and require sealing. This is especially true of marble, or when acids, oils, and colored pigment products come in contact with the stone. Many stains can be removed using a poultice. A poultice is a mixture of powders that are highly absorbent and when combined with water, act to draw the stain out of the stone. A poultice can be purchased from your fabricator and instructions on how to apply it are available from the fabricator as well. If you prefer not to tackle the job, or are having difficulty, you can engage a stone fabricator to remove the stain for you.
- Weight: Stone is heavy and can exert a greater than normal load on the wood subfloor. Your architect or contractor may recommend reinforced flooring to support the stone.
Applications of Natural Stone in the Bathroom
Vanity Top
The most common area for natural stone in the bathroom is, of course, the countertop, or vanity top. Granite and marble are popular choices for vanity tops due to their beauty and durability.
Makeup Vanity
Another nice touch in a master bath is to have a sunken vanity countertop, a perfect spot to apply your makeup or dry your hair. You would typically see this in the same natural stone as the rest of your vanity top, just at a slightly lower height.
Sinks
In the bathroom, we typically see undermount or vessel sinks. A vessel sink sits atop the countertop, there are vast options of decorative and unique vessel sinks from copper, brass, stainless steel, glass, and more.
Showers
Natural stone is excellent for shower walls, ceilings, and floors. Granite and marble are popular choices, with appropriate care and cleaning.
Curbs and Thresholds
These are the pieces of stone that sit between your shower and bathroom floor or the entrance to the bathroom from another room. In the shower application, the proper threshold will limit the movement of water and prevent it from going into other areas. Marble or granite are common choices for curbs and thresholds as are available in a range of colors, coordinating with the vanity top is a nice custom touch!
Wall Caps
If you have a half wall in your bathroom, or your shower is half tile or natural stone and half glass, you can top that wall with a natural stone wall cap as a beautiful finishing touch.
Tub Surrounds and Faces
If you don’t have a freestanding tub, you need to consider the area surrounding the tub and the material you’d like to have for that. A granite or marble surround provides a frame that acts as a strong support for your tub. Not only visually appealing, but very practical as a surface for a beverage, book, or candles to create your relaxing ambiance.
In addition to the tub surround, you can also use natural stone as a “face” or riser on your undermount tub.
Flooring
Natural stone flooring adds a luxurious touch but requires consideration for slip resistance and heating. This example is a floor tile in polished crema marfil marble.
Photo Credit Aaron Golden Photography
Project by GETA design
Conclusion
Natural stone can transform your bathroom into a luxurious, spa-like retreat. With proper selection, installation, and maintenance, it offers a unique, durable, and beautiful option for various bathroom applications. Take these tips into consideration in designing the bathrooms you’ll enjoy for years to come.