We have found some stunning granite for two of our bathrooms, but I’ve heard rumours that granite shouldn’t be used in the bathroom due to possible stains (nail polish remover, other hazardous chemicals women use to ‘adjust’ their personna).
We priced out a corian counter, which was hundred of dollars more than the granite, which was why we started looking at stone.
Funny thing is, I’ve put in countless bathrrom counters, but not a one was granite. Is there truth in the rumours?
“I am the master of my fate, I am the captain of my soul.” Invictus, by Henley.
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Granite does not like acids. If it's sealed it might be okay, but the exfoliants that women (and some men) use can cause stains. Same with marble. We did a big bathroom last year entirely in marble and there are stains around her sink and his side of the shower. Bad news.
But we install natural stone in bathrooms all the time without a problem. Just have to judge whether the owner will follow your instructions on how careful you have to be with natural stone.
This is actually for our own home. Neither my daughter nor DW are especially neat. Does the darker granite stain less (or are the stains less visible?)"I am the master of my fate, I am the captain of my soul." Invictus, by Henley.
I've only seen problems with lighter colors. Actually I have seen what look like oil stains on absolute black granite, but a coat or two of "enhancer" made that go away.
I'm a big fan of natural materials but lately I've been trying to steer people to synthetic countertops if they are anything other than fastidious.
On the other hand, stone is cheap enough these days that you could just give it a shot. Seal it well and encourage neatness. If it stains, oh well. Replace it down the road.
If the stone is properly sealed once/twice a year, would that mitigate the staining?"I am the master of my fate, I am the captain of my soul." Invictus, by Henley.
I'm a big fan engineered stone (quartz) tops, like Cambria or Silestone. They seem dang near impervious, but a more homogenized look than natural stone. Might be worth a look...
Everything will be okay in the end. If it's not okay, it's not the end.
We did look, but the natural stone is just that much cheaper. We have several stone design places here, and they are practically giving away the stuff (They're starting at $38/ft2, which for Conn, is cheap). For our 92" bath counter, granite is the cheapest, followed by quartz, and corian is almost 30% higher than stone. And the beauty of some of the natural stone is just incredible. And it's not even my bathroom! (It's DWs and daughters.)
"I am the master of my fate, I am the captain of my soul." Invictus, by Henley.
We've have a synthetic countertop/sink in the master bath and it still looks fine - even after 10 years of SWMBO using her lotions, potions, and goop.
The guest bath vanity has porcelain tile and it's held up well under the onslaught of two daughters who share their mothers fascination with "goop".
I can't say that about the door handles, though. They're the Home Depot sets and the brass plating has long since been eaten off - on the second set of handles!! - lol