The Best Materials to Use For a Bathroom Remodel

Originally posted on Men's Journal | By Emily Fazio | Last updated Jun 7, 2024 7:00 AM ET

Investing in high-quality, durable materials for your bathroom remodel commits you to a long-lasting, beautiful space. "Since your bathroom is used often and has high moisture levels, it’s incredibly important to select materials that are water-resistant, easy to clean, and durable," emphasizes Quinn Babcock, Construction & Design Operations Lead at Block Renovation. It certainly doesn't hurt to find options that reflect your style, but keep your eyes on quality and you won't be disappointed.

Here are a few of his recommendations:

Tile

"For your flooring or wall tiles, we recommend porcelain or ceramic tile because they’re water resistant and durable," shares Babcock. "For tile flooring, it’s also important to choose materials that are slip resistant for safety."

Water resistance. Both glazed porcelain tile and ceramic tiles are highly water-resistant. Porcelain tiles, in particular, have a very low water absorption rate.
Downright durable. Choose products that'll build a durable bathroom. Porcelain tiles are especially known for their hardness and resistance to wear and tear.
Low maintenance. Porcelain and ceramic tiles are easy to clean and maintain. This bathroom flooring resist stains and scratches, and doesn't require special cleaning products.
Lots of design choices. Both ceramic and porcelain are available in wide variety of colors, patterns, tile sizes, and finishes, mimicking the look of natural stone, solid wood, or other materials, and offering aesthetic flexibility without compromising on practicality.
Flexible sizes. Available as large-format tiles, or small for mosaic tile designs.

Plumbing Fixtures

"When choosing bathroom fixtures, such as your faucets and shower head or shower controls, we recommend high-quality chrome or matte black fixtures for a sleek, modern look," suggests Babcock.

Sophisticated, contemporary, and stylish. Chrome provides a bright, reflective finish that adds a touch of sophistication, while matte black offers a bold, understated elegance that suits modern and minimalist designs, enhancing modern decor.
Built to last. High-quality chrome is resistant to corrosion and tarnish, while matte black fixtures are typically coated to resist scratches, fading, and fingerprints.
Easier than you think to maintain. Chrome fixtures can be quickly wiped down to keep their shine, and matte black fixtures often show fewer water spots and fingerprints.

Vanity Cabinets and Countertops

"Choose a vanity with a durable countertop, such as natural stone or quartz," recommends Babcock. Whether you want custom vanities, a double vanity (for extra storage space), or an upcycled wooden vanity, it's important to consider durability.

Opt for low-maintenance bathroom materials. Quartz countertops require minimal maintenance due to their non-porous nature. Natural stone countertops, although requiring periodic sealing, are relatively easy to maintain.
Offers longevity. Both sealed natural stone and quartz countertops are incredibly durable and resistant to scratches, chips, and cracks.
Resistance to moisture and stains. Quartz countertops, in particular, are non-porous, making them highly resistant to water absorption and staining. Natural stone countertops, when properly sealed, also offer excellent protection against moisture and stains, making them suitable for the humid bathroom environment. Wood vanity tops might seem like a good idea during your bathroom makeover, but the risk of water damage/moisture damage is too high.
Awesome aesthetic appeal. Natural stone and quartz countertops are popular choices. Stone offers one-of-a-kind patterns and colors, while quartz can mimic the appearance of natural stone and comes in a wide variety of consistent colors to enhance any bathroom design.

Other Areas of Focus

"Good lighting fixtures are key in a bathroom, so it’s important to prioritize lighting choices when remodeling," notes Babcock. "Additionally, think about the layout and functionality of the space—add or improve storage options with open shelves or vanities with lots of space."

He adds, "Remember to factor in accessories and decor in your budget, including updating mirrors, rugs, towels, hardware, or other decorative elements."

How far in advance should you plan for a bath remodel?

"Much like a kitchen remodel, you want to plan as far in advance as you can for a bathroom remodel," shares Babcock. "You could run into issues like contractor availability, supply chain delays, or other factors, so you can’t have complete control over when you remodel happens. We recommend starting to plan 6-8 months in advance."

Planning: This won't happen overnight. Plan over several months as you figure out the design, pick materials (and sit on/overthink your choices), and find a contractor.
Permits: Getting the permits you need can take anywhere from a few weeks to a few months, depending on local codes and how complex your bathroom renovation project is.
Materials: If possible, order everything early to avoid delays caused by supply chain issues. Some things, especially custom-made items, might have a long wait time. Believe me, you'd rather have boxes of tiles sitting in a closet for a month before the job starts than have it halt installing the bathroom floor while you wait for their arrival.
Demo and Construction: This is usually the longest stage, taking anywhere from a few weeks to several months depending on how much work needs to be done.
Finishing Up: Putting in the appliances, countertops, and cabinets, and getting final inspections can take a few more weeks on top of everything else.