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 The Most Popular Bathroom Countertop Materials

The Most Popular Bathroom Countertop Materials

Bathroom countertops or vanities have to work hard! These spaces store toiletries and are almost constantly subject to soap and water spills due to the placement of the sink. So, the material you choose for your bathroom vanity matters — more than you might think.

What are most bathroom countertops made out of? To ensure you choose the best material for your bathroom countertop, we’ll take a look at the most popular bathroom countertop materials. Let’s dive in!

Choosing a Bathroom Countertop Material

When choosing a bathroom countertop material, it’s important to consider three aspects:

  1. Durability
  2. Affordability
  3. Aesthetics

1. Durability

Since your bathroom vanity will be exposed to water regularly, having to endure countless spills and store products of all kinds, you’ll want to opt for a durable material that won’t be damaged easily.

2. Affordability

Besides durability, you’ll also want to consider your budget. So, instead of asking, “What is the most durable top for a bathroom vanity?” You might want to ask, “What is the cheapest, most durable countertop?”

3. Aesthetics

Your bathroom is your haven, where you can unwind. Aesthetics matter because to create a sacred retreat in your home, you must like how it looks. Stick to what you want. Trends will come and go, but the right vanity top can last what seems like forever.

Top Materials for Bathroom Benchtops

What is better for the bathroom, quartz or granite? Let’s take a look at the most popular vanity top materials, considering the pros and cons of each to make the best choice for your bathroom.

1. Laminate Bathroom Vanity

The laminate bathroom vanity look has evolved so much that you can get the appearance of granite, wood, marble, leather, or even stainless steel at a much lower price. Laminate countertops comprise layers of plastic bonded to a particleboard core to create a solid countertop surface. 

They can also be created by fabricators to your specifications from a designer laminate, giving it custom edges and other designer features. When it comes to your powder rooms or guest bathrooms, laminate countertops are often best. They’re also a good quick fix when you’re revamping or putting your house on show.

Pros

  • Laminates are inexpensive
  • There are many colours available
  • Prefabricated countertops can be installed easily in DIY-fashion

Cons

  • Custom styles require a custom fabricator
  • Laminate countertops are incredibly lightweight
  • Laminate is often regarded as a low-cost bargain material

2. Stone Top Vanity

Natural stone countertops, including slate, soapstone, limestone, onyx, granite and marble vanity tops, are highly sought-after. Vanity stone tops usually entail a thick solid slab with openings cut for the sinks. Still, stone countertops can also be created with tiles laid in much the same fashion as ceramic tile countertops. A natural stone bathroom screams luxury and makes a good choice for a classy main bathroom. 

  • Slate: This material is rugged and resists stains well once sealed. Colours vary in shades of grey, black, or green. 
  • Soapstone: This milky stone with subtle veining comes in shades of white or grey. It’s a non-porous stone, more accessible to care for than granite or marble. 
  • Limestone: Limestone is relatively porous and must be carefully and repeatedly sealed when used for countertops. 
  • Marble: A heavily veined metamorphic stone, marble is one of the most elegant natural stones, available in various colours and patterns. Marble is relatively soft and porous and must be sealed every two years. 
  • Granite: Similar to marble, granite contains dots of colour with minor veining than marble. It’s the most popular natural stone for countertops due to its availability and diversity.

Pros

  • Natural stone is a premium building material, oozing luxury
  • Granite and marble countertops are always unique, with no two countertops looking the same

Cons

  • Periodic sealing and prolonged maintenance are required
  • Stone is considerably more expensive than other countertop materials

3. Quartz Bathroom Vanity

Quartz countertops are engineered stone products made from 70- to 90-per cent ground-up quartz and other stone minerals, mixed with resins and pigments. This is then morphed into countertop slabs.

A variety of styles makes these countertops nearly indistinguishable from natural stone slabs. They are best used in contemporary-styled bathrooms but also work well in heavy-duty family bathrooms. Quartz is a high-end countertop material that will enhance the value and appearance of any home.

Pros

  • Engineered quartz can be formed into many different shapes and sizes
  • Choose from different styles and colours
  • Strength and durability 
  • Their less-porous nature makes these countertops more stain-resistant
  • Immense resale value

Cons

  • Very expensive
  • Visible seams
  • Not as heat-resistant as natural stone 
  • Not DIY-friendly

4. Polymarble Vanity Tops

Cultured marble bathroom countertops or polymarble vanity tops are made from marble dust and resins, resulting in a dense and durable surface that can easily be formed into almost any shape and size.

Pros

  • Affordable
  • Expertly manufactured
  • Impact resistant
  • Sealed at the factory
  • DIY-friendly

Cons

  • Dyes can stain it
  • Avoid contact with solvents such as nail polish remover

5. Tiled Countertop

Ceramic or porcelain tiles are often used in traditional bathroom decor designs. Conventional ceramic tiles are made of clay with a surface glaze which is heated to harden them. Porcelain is a ceramic made of more refined clays fired under higher temperatures. Porcelain is excellent for floors and countertops due to its density and hardness. 

Ceramic and porcelain tiles are a good choice if you want to save money on a quality countertop by doing the work yourself since these are cheap vanity options.

Pros

  • DIY-friendly
  • Affordable
  • Many designs options are available

Cons

  • Tile is brittle and may crack under pressure
  • Grout lines can easily stain and discolour, requiring periodic cleaning and resealing
  • The resale value is poor

Who Can Help with All Your Bathroom Vanity Top Needs?

From bathroom vanity tops only to the broadest array of bathroom accessories, VBathroom is the place for you! We have all you need to find the ideal vanity countertop for your bathroom. Contact us today for more information, or browse our website to find the perfect bathroom vanity top for your home.