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Remodeling Design Dilemma Bathrooms

Bathroom vanity tops and MDF bathroom vanities.

5 years ago

My 88, soon to be 89, year old mother has been living with me for the past 2 years. I'm in the process of remodeling the bathroom that she uses.

This actually wasn't a planned remodel. I was just supposed to be replacing the leaking and always running toilet and then it just kinda snowballed from there. You know one of those if I'm replacing this, I might as well go ahead and do this and if I'm doing item #2, I might as well go ahead and do item #3, etc. Yes, I know this is not how one should do a remodel but like I said, it wasn't my intentions to do a full remodel.

Anywho, the bathroom vanity that I will be installing is made of MDF. My question is with regard to vanity tops. I know in the kitchen, it's not recommended to put granite over MDF. Does that also apply in the bathroom? My concern is can the cabinet carry the weight of actual stone. I'm not necessarily interested in granite but just exploring all options for vanity tops.

This is the vanity that I will be using

I almost forgot to add that it's a RTA vanity if that makes a difference.

Thanks in advance for your help and suggestions.

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Comments (5)

millworkman
5 years ago
"I know in the kitchen, it's not recommended to put granite over MDF. "

Why not? It's done all the time, everyday in fact.............
Mavis Jones thanked millworkman
PRO
Patricia Colwell Consulting
5 years ago
Really almost always.But that vanity seems to come with a top at least in the picture
Mavis Jones thanked Patricia Colwell Consulting
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Cook's Kitchen thanks. I knew what MDF was but never thought that it would be described on the side of the packaging as all wood construction. And I've never considered plywood all wood construction. Funny thing is I have a tendency to opt for MDF over plywood even though I think plywood is supposed to be an upgrade over MDF. I've just seen one too many cheaply made plywood cabinets. I ended up getting a cultured marbled sink from Lowe's. I love the white on white look. I'm really not a fan of granite but I wanted to be able to explore all my options in case I came across something I just couldn't live without. Now, I'm waiting on the new faucet to come in (Lowe's) and the flooring (Tarkett vinyl through Carpets to Go), then I should have everything on hand so I can finish up this project. Since this bathroom wasn't a planned remodel and the first time I've done anything like this, I've learned a lot. When I do the master bath, which before this I had planned to do next year, it should be a different experience since 1) that is a planned remodel and I already know / have ideas of what will happen in there and 2) will take the knowledge from redoing the bathroom that Mom uses and apply it there.
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Your comments were unnecessary and border on rude. We are just trying to get into this house. As prices continue to rise daily, we are trying to stay within budget. If you could not answer my question, why bother to provide your opinion on my decision.
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MaryMargaret Sambas
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
It's more recommended to not put heavy things on top of cheap imported RTA that offgasses formaldehyde. If you are going to do this, do it right. Don't spend your money on junk.
Mavis Jones thanked MaryMargaret Sambas
Mavis Jones
Original Author
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
Millworkman, I think I must have read somewhere that you shouldn't use granite on MDF cabinets

Patricia Colwell Consulting, the vanity does not come with a top. It was just shown with a top. The Hayneedle website description said it was just the cabinet and it is just the cabinet (arrived this past Friday).

Siamesey, I hear ya but since I spent a ton of money converting the tub to shower, I have to save where I can. Unfortunately, when you combine the needs of my mother (the main user of this bathroom), the style that I would like, along with the need to work around the plumbing location, I actually don't have a lot of choices. It's been really hard to combine the first two of those and find a vanity with drawers on the left hand side (the plumbing dictate). I looked at custom made and even semi custom made and no, I can't do that. Even though the vanity is made of MDF and is RTA, to me it has better quality than some of low end all wood vanities that I've seen. Also, most of the cabinets I've looked at still seem to have MDF in them somewhere, especially white cabinets which is what I wanted for this bathroom.
Mavis Jones
Original Author
5 years ago
I'm on vanity overload. LOL When I was breaking down the box, I was reading the description on the side of the box, and it actually says all wood construction.

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