Identifying high-quality bathroom furniture: tips and tricks
The moisture in the bathroom can be a problem for furniture. The water droplets from the washbasin, WC, shower, bathtub spread in the bathroom and result in high humidity, which can damage the furniture if it is not made to suit bathroom conditions. And airing the bathroom is not enough on its own.
If the humidity gets to the wood, the affected areas can start to swell. But damp wooden panels on bathroom furniture can also change shape. In the very worst case, drawers and cabinet doors may no longer fit properly. But you can prevent all kinds of trouble in the bathroom by choosing the right furniture.
Firstly, the quality of the material is decisive. Robust materials are essential. Furthermore, metal parts such as hinges and handles should be stable and resistant to corrosion.
The finish is another indicator of quality. Pay attention to clean edges, uniform gaps and precisely fitting connections. Well-made furniture has stable connections and no visible screws or nails. The surface coating should also be of the highest quality. It must be sealed well and resistant to water in order to prevent moisture damage.
The design and functionality of high-quality side cabinets, tall cabinets and washbasin cabinets go hand in hand. High-quality furniture not only offers sufficient storage space, but also practical functions such as soft-closing drawers that close smoothly and quietly. Sophisticated design ensures that the bathroom furniture is both visually appealing and practical.
But what to watch out for when buying bathroom furniture?
There are two relevant factors when choosing furniture for the bathroom: the material the furniture is made of and the surface of the bathroom furniture.
The material used
Wood is the most common material used for bathroom furniture. And it comes in various forms: plywood, chipboard, MDF boards or solid wood. Depending on its composition, wood will react differently to moisture in the air and thus varies in terms of suitability for bathroom furniture.
- Plywood is probably the best choice. It changes its shape far less than solid wood because it is glued crosswise. Swelling due to the humidity is not nearly the issue it is with other wood. The material is also very resistant to bending and easy to screw together; in other words, it is a functional, good choice for bathroom furniture.
- MDF boards consist of decomposed wood fibres that are mixed with glue and pressed. The surface is beautifully smooth which means it is good for foils and varnishes. However, they are much heavier than chipboard and also more expensive. They are pretty water-resistant and are thus perfectly suitable for use in bathroom furniture. Mould or swelling are not an issue with good foil or varnish.
- Chipboard in its raw form is unsuitable for bathrooms because it swells irreversibly when exposed to moisture. This can, however, be avoided with good surface sealing. A set of bathroom furniture made of chipboard is thus basically not a bad idea. Ultimately, it depends on the quality of the processing.
- Solid wood, however, expands rapidly when exposed to moisture. Not even the best construction measures can change that. Moreover, it is relatively expensive. We would therefore advise against bathroom furniture made of solid wood.
What do I have to watch out for when I’m buying bathroom furniture?
There are three particularly important factors when choosing furniture for the bathroom – the base material, the surface and the fittings.
Bathroom furniture units are exposed to moisture every single day. “Don’t skimp on quality” is therefore definitely a motto to stick to when choosing the material for bathroom furniture. With cheaper bathroom furniture, the three-layer chipboard is often unfinished or not sufficiently protected against moisture. It can absorb the moisture in the bathroom and swell, resulting in unattractive, cracked surfaces as well as doors and drawers that can no longer be closed flush.
The solution: bathroom furniture made of moisture-resistant board material. Tests conducted in the Geberit test laboratory show a clear difference in quality. That is why Geberit uses moisture-resistant wood-based materials which are not affected by splashes of water and moisture.
Smooth and scratch proof surfaces
Resistant surfaces are also crucial – many cheap bathroom furniture units are covered with a thin and cheap foil, which is sensitive to daily routines in the bathroom. Geberit uses high-quality, thick foils that can match up to melamine surfaces. However, bathroom furniture units with resistant melamine surfaces are always a good choice. Melamine is a paper pressed with synthetic resin, which is extremely scratch proof and waterproof. But high-quality varnishes also have the benefit of completely enrobing the furniture units, bonding permanently with the material, and high-gloss varnishes in particular provide an illusion of depth through reflections. If these aspects are taken into account, bathroom furniture can enhance both your bathroom and your quality of life.
Moisture resistance
Moisture-resistant bathroom furniture can withstand the effects of moisture without becoming damaged or losing functionality and stability. In particular, this means that the furniture does not swell up or become unstable, deformed or discoloured when regularly exposed to water, high levels of humidity or steam. Nevertheless, water should be removed from a surface as quickly as possible.
High-quality surfaces
As chipboard is not particularly attractive as a base material, it needs a suitable coating. There are all kinds of different variants.
The quality and sealing – particularly on the edges – are a decisive factor here. Cheap coatings on bathroom furniture are usually very thin, tend to peel off and are less durable. Scratches can quickly damage the surface. This makes the furniture susceptible to water damage. High-quality, thick foils, on the other hand, such as the ones Geberit uses, are robust and easy to maintain.
- Melamine is a laminate made of resin, decor paper and a transparent top layer. The material is extremely resistant to moisture and scratches – and thus a good choice for the bathroom.
- Real wood veneer is glued onto chipboard or MDF boards as a layer of wood around one millimetre thick. The look is similar to furniture made of solid wood. Parts with real wood veneer must be protected against moisture with a coat of varnish, for example
- Varnish provides the popular high-gloss or matt effect for bathroom furniture. After varnishing, the surface has to be ground and polished. Varnish is an elegant coating and offers the advantage that the surface becomes even, homogeneous and seamless. This relatively complex manufacturing process is costly.
- Glass is used as a design component on bathroom furniture, usually in combination with a coated MDF board or chipboard.
High-quality, sturdy and stainless fittings
High-quality, sturdy and stainless fittings are essential for guaranteeing the durability and reliability of bathroom furniture. Below are some of the best and most common options:
- Stainless steel: Stainless steel is known for its durability and resistance to corrosion. Stainless steel fittings are ideal in bathrooms as they are not only robust, but also aesthetically appealing. They are available in different versions from matt to glossy and fit with virtually every design.
- Aluminium: Aluminium is another corrosion-resistant material. It is lightweight, yet also strong. Aluminium fittings often come with a special treatment that increases their durability and resistance against moisture and chemicals.
- Chrome-plated brass: Brass is naturally corrosion-resistant, and this is further enhanced with the addition of a chrome finish. Chrome-plated brass fittings have a smooth, high-gloss finish that not only looks good, but is also easy to clean.
- Powder-coated steel: Steel can be protected against rust with the addition of a powder coating. This gives the material an additional protective coating that increases the service life of the fittings and makes them more resistant against moisture and chemicals.
- Plastic fittings: High-quality plastics such as nylon and polypropylene are corrosion-resistant and are well suited to applications in moist environments. They are lightweight and inexpensive, but are sometimes not as visually appealing as metal fittings.
- Zamak: Zamak is an alloy consisting of zinc, aluminium, magnesium and copper. It is robust, resistant to corrosion and is suitable for fittings that require high levels of precision and attention to detail.
- Titanium: Titanium is extremely corrosion-resistant and lightweight, but also more expensive than other materials. While it is used rarely, it is an excellent choice for high-quality fittings on bathroom furniture.
Free-of-charge bathroom planning
Our free-of-charge 3D bathroom planner can be used to plan your new bathroom true to scale. The furniture, washbasin, toilet, mirror cabinet and other elements are positioned in the room and added to a product list.
Frequently asked questions about bathroom furniture
Why is Geberit a good choice when it comes to high-quality bathroom furniture?
The Geberit brand is synonymous with high quality, ease of use, simple design and easy installation. As a result, Geberit bathroom furniture is characterised by the following benefits:
- More storage space: The lack of trap cutout results in added space in the drawer.
- Moisture resistance: The three-layer chipboard is made of highly compressed material, with the coating offering outstanding moisture resistance.
- Convenient furniture functions: Geberit furniture features practical soft closing or the elegant push-to-open mechanism.
- Clever arrangement systems: Sophisticated drawer inserts optimise the space available in the washbasin cabinet.
Which materials are Geberit bathroom furniture made from?
What is the expected service life of high-quality bathroom furniture?
What impact does the quality of bathroom furniture have on cleaning and care?
Which furniture should I put in my bathroom?
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