The work involved in wrangling a massive granite slab can send prices into the stratosphere. Fortunately, there are several great options for getting the luxurious look of granite in your bathroom without breaking the bank. Pay a pro to cut and install your countertops, or (if you’re handy) save even more on your bath upgrade by doing the work yourself. Other good sources for granite remnants include Diggers List and Habitat for Humanity ReStores. Using granite remnants is a great way to reduce the amount of stone left unused, which is great for the environment too. Some online retailers offer their stone direct and do all the fabrication in-house, passing the savings on to customers. You create your design from a selection of stone colors, dimensions, faucets and sink styles. In a couple of weeks, the finished product is delivered to your home. The choices are not huge, and you’ll need to install the counter and sink yourself. What you’ll save compared to buying a slab and having it professionally installed can be considerable. One of the biggest national manufacturers, Granite Transformations, uses an eco-friendly mix of granite and recycled vodka bottles to produce a surface that is one-third as thick as a traditional slab, which translates into further savings on raw materials and energy. The product is permanently sealed, stain and scratch-resistant, and comes in more than 50 color options. While each project varies depending on the size of the space, installation generally takes one to two days. Since you can easily find this product at your local home store, you’ll eliminate shipping charges. You’ll save even more by installing the tile yourself. Standard sizes include 12-inch, 16-inch, and 18-inch squares in a reasonable selection of colors. There will be seams in your granite tile vanity top, although you can minimize their appearance by laying tiles closely together and using a tinted grout. “Engineered quartz is the style chameleon of countertops,” says Portland, Ore., interior designer Michelle Jeresek. “(It’s) easy to maintain, nontoxic, and nonallergenic—there’s not much to dislike about this stunning man-made material.” Sold under brand names including Caesarstone, Zodiaq, Cambria, and Silestone, engineered quartz is composed of about 90 to 95 percent ground quartz mixed with resins and colorants. You’ll find an enormous range of options, from solid colors in a rainbow of brights and neutrals to styles that mimic the veining and tonal variations of real stone. Engineered quartz is less costly than a granite slab and can be customized into integrated sinks and backsplashes in just about any hue and pattern you desire. Recycled glass countertops are manufactured from jars, bottles, windows, seashells and other natural materials that are crushed and combined with pigments and resins or cement. The results can be subtle or eye-popping depending on the mix. Look for brand names like IceStone, Vetrazzo, and Curava. At $12 to $15 per square foot, choosing laminate over granite can leave room in the budget to splurge on a pricey new faucet set.
