Styling Your Kitchen & Bathrooms - 2008
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As we all know, vanities are an integral part of any bathroom design. Apart from adding to the aesthetics of the bathroom, a properly designed wooden vanity also provides ample storage space for your personal belongings.
However, selecting the right type of wood for the vanity requires a lot of consideration. Since the bathroom is a moisture-laden space, it is very important that the wood does not get damaged due to humid conditions.
Teak is one of the most expensive types of solid wood used for making a vanity. The natural oil contained in teak wood makes it water-resistant and, hence, one of the best choices for a vanity. In addition, teak wood is also highly durable and can also resist decay. Once installed, you need not worry about changing the vanity in the near future.
If you are looking for a darker finish for the bathroom vanity, then cherry wood makes a great option. The peculiarity of cherry wood is that its color darkens as time passes. Besides, it has beautiful grain patterns that add to its uniqueness. However, like teak wood, cherry wood can also be costly.
Oak wood is a type of hardwood used for making wooden bathroom vanities. What makes oak wood stand out is that it is highly resistant to wear and tear and humidity. Thus, it is best suited for the moisture-laden condition of a bathroom.
The only drawback of oak wood is that it can darken in certain areas, thus creating an odd look in your recently renovated bathroom.
Unlike normal wood, plywood is made of multiple sheets of wood veneer. Wood veneer is glued together to form 1.5mm -2.5mm thick wood that can be used to make bathroom vanities.
The main advantage of plywood is that it does not expand like solidwood in conditions of humidity, which is typically found in bathroom. You need not worry about the wood over-expanding and requiring maintenance in future.
MDF or Medium Density Fiberboard is made from wood fiber of softwood and hardwood, resin binder and wax. The main advantage of MDF is that you can paint it. If you want a vanity that matches the overall look and color of the bathroom, then MDF would be a great choice.
Moreover, MDF is a better alternative cost-wise as it is cheaper than other types of wood. Thus, if you are tight on budget, MDF is a great option.
However, the drawback of MDF is that if it is not properly treated, it can warp and cause damage. Once damaged, it becomes impossible to repair.
The type of wood to select depends on your budget and requirements. However, you should keep in mind that you need not use the same wood throughout the vanity. While you can go for solid wood like teak or oak on the exterior, you can use engineering wood like MDF or plywood in the interior of the vanity. This way, you can save on costs and, at the same time, maintain the look of the vanity.