Onyx is a timely response to the growing demand for products made of natural materials. Onyx shower is a top-of-the-line product available in different types and finishes.
It is no surprise that showers made of this material are very much in vogue and highly sought after because apart from their unique advantages, they also look like a piece of art. If you ever wanted to do research on the pros and cons of the onyx shower, you came to the right place. No one just randomly considers the installation of onyx stone in their showers.
The Pros of an Onyx Shower
Ease of Installation
Onyx shower has prebuilt shower bases; thus, installation is cheaper than other shower systems.
Onyx is a Long-Lasting Material
You’ll find that many Onyx bathroom fixtures come with anywhere from a 10-year warranty to a lifetime warranty. As a natural stone, you can expect it to last about as long as marble. However, some forms of onyx come with solid surface applications, which might reduce longevity under some circumstances.
Wide Range of Colors
Onyx has many color options. It has pastel colors and solid ones, like red, green, and yellow. It also has a variety of natural designs like swirling patterns and colorful veining.
So if you’re looking for luxury bathroom remodel ideas, use onyx. It also comes in different finishes, like matte and glossy. These options give you more room to get creative with your design.
Grout-Resistant
Onyx shower comes as a complete unit, so it does not have grout lines. That saves you from cleaning grout buildup. Because it is seamless, you don’t need to use lots of caulk during installation.
Eco-friendly
One of the most important things we look for in-house materials is their safety. This is especially the case for children and people with weak immune systems, but it should apply to everyone.
Unlike other materials, onyx does not emit harmful chemicals into the air once it has been heated up. Since onyx is a natural stone, the only thing that evaporates after a hot shower is the hot steam itself.
Heats Up Water Fast
If you ever stood waiting for the shower to heat up before you get in – then onyx showers are your solution! onyx is a stone that can hold natural heat – meaning natural solar energy. For example, onyx water heaters can even extract the heat from the air, which in turn warms up the water even more.
For showers – just know that the onyx shower will be easier to heat up, but it will also hold that heat for some time. This is achieved because the onyx stone has tiny pores that allow it to hold onto that heat. This advantage results in easily heated showers and also lower water bills.
Easy to Clean
Last but not least, the surface of onyx material is impermeable. This means that no water or any other liquid can pass through the surface of onyx showers. This feature alone makes it easier to clean and also more sanitary – which is exactly what we need in our showers! Because it’s not easy for water to permeate its surface, the possibility of bacterial growth lessens greatly.
Cons of Onyx Shower to consider
The Onyx Shower comes with a lifetime warranty against any manufacturing defects. It is also scratch-resistant and fireproof, perfect for high traffic areas like hotels or hospitals where cleanliness can be an issue.
But what about other factors such as resistance to stains? Some other cons of onyx shower bring the debate to another level. Therefore consider the following pitfalls before putting your money in.
Fragile Onyx Panels
Even though this stone is tough enough not to get scratches easily, it can be quite fragile while being cut. For the onyx shower to be installed, it initially has to be cut into large panels, and this can damage the stone in the process.
However, chances are you won’t be the one doing the cutting, so this is probably not a cause for concern. Also, once it’s installed, it’s quite hard to damage the onyx panels, especially in the case of showers.
Expensive
Onyx has the word “luxury” attached to it. So it comes as no surprise that it’s expensive.
Difficult Repair Work
While installing onyx showers is relatively easy and inexpensive, the same cannot be said with its repair. That’s because not many households use an onyx shower, so you can find few repair people who specialize in it. Cutting down onyx panels and finding replacements is also a challenge.
You Need To Be Careful With Maintenance
Over-the-counter bleach cleaners are not suitable for use on Onyx surfaces. The recommended cleaning process involves warm, soapy water, no harsh chemicals. You can also choose to get specialized natural stone cleaning supplies. These supplies can add up in costs but make it a bit easier for maintenance.
However, you can also clean onyx with vinegar, which might save you time and money overall. Regardless, remembering to clean that one part of your bathroom with special stuff can get annoying.
