How to Choose the Best Bathroom Countertop Material

Bathroom countertops are an investment, so it’s wise to take your time to weigh up all options. Here are some tips on how to choose the best bathroom countertops.

Last year, a third of home renovations were bathroom remodels. Bathrooms are a home’s oasis, offering tranquility and downtime after a busy day. There are many factors to consider when choosing bathroom countertop materials like durability, comfortability, resale value, and aesthetic appeal. The best bathroom countertop materials are made from stone, whether manufactured like quartz or natural like granite.

When choosing bathroom countertop materials, the form should follow function, and your choice should marry practicality with interior design. Bathroom countertops are an investment, so it’s wise to take your time to weigh up all options. Here are some tips on how to choose the best bathroom countertops.

Choosing Bathroom Countertops: Things to Consider

From design and color to cleaning and maintenance, you should consider the following when deciding on your bathroom vanities.

Durability

Quartz, granite, marble, quartzite, and soapstone are all durable bathroom countertop material options offering longevity. However, marble and granite are more porous than the others. Even water left on the stone’s surface for a brief amount of time can leave etch marks, which is something to consider as bathrooms are environments inherently filled with moisture and water.

Design and Color

While gray, white, black, muted, and gem colors are trending, the design and color of your bathroom countertops still remain personal. Even though we have an enormous variety of stones to choose from , the choice can overwhelm you if you haven’t given it careful thought. A good starting point is to consider how the design and color will fit into the rest of your home.

Countertop Finish

Bathroom countertops can have a honed, leather, or polished finish. The former posses a velvety look and feel, whereas polished countertops are highly reflective. We usually recommend a polished finish for bathrooms as it makes the stone countertop less porous and more stain-resistant, especially when it comes to marble and granite countertops.

Veining Patterns

As natural stones, marble, quartzite, and granite have unique veining patterns that range between thick and bold to small and thin. Each slab is different, and no two are alike. If you want a more uniform look for your countertops, quartz might be a better option because it’s manufactured and maintains consistent patterns. Joins on quartz countertops are also less visible than natural stone.

Cleaning and Maintenance

No countertop lasts without proper cleaning and maintenance. Marble, quartzite, and granite need to be sealed and carefully taken care of. These natural stone countertops are prone to etching and should be wiped down after use. On the other hand, quartz and soapstone are more stain-resistant and don’t require as much careful maintenance. As a general maintenance rule, you should never rest curling irons and hair straighteners directly on bathroom vanities.

Best Bathroom Countertops

Our expert team looked at bathroom countertop material options and put together a brief overview of the benefits and drawbacks of different types of bathroom countertops.

Laminate Bathroom Countertops

These countertops are made from layers of plastic bonded to particleboard. They can be purchased in stock pieces or custom-made.

• Pros: They are DIY-friendly and come in a variety of colors.
• Cons: Laminate is considered an inexpensive material and less durable than natural stone.
• Cost: $10- $40 per square foot.

Porcelain/Ceramic Tile Bathroom Countertops

Porcelain and ceramic tiles are non-porous and lightweight. They’re also etch, heat and stain-resistant, making them a reliable choice.

• Pros: These tiles are relatively affordable and easy to install as a DIY project.
• Cons: Tiles can crack under impact, and grouting lines require resealing and cleaning to prevent discoloration.
• Cost: $0.50 -$35 per square foot.

Solid Surface Bathroom Countertops

Made from bonded polyester and acrylic particles, these “faux-stone” countertops can mimic natural stones like marble and granite.

• Pros: They can be shaped into countertops with integrated sinks.
• Cons: The surface can scorch under the heat of hair straighteners and curling irons.
• Cost: $45-$75 per square foot.

Concrete Surface Bathroom Countertops

Concrete countertops have recently become trendy and offer a unique design opportunity.

• Pros: Concrete is strong, durable, and completely customizable.
• Cons: If cracks appear, the entire counter has to be replaced.
• Cost: $75 – $150 per square foot.

Stone Bathroom Countertops

Natural stone is still considered the best material for bathroom countertops, but they too come with their set of pros and cons.

Granite Bathroom Countertops

Granite bathroom countertops are durable and can last a lifetime if properly taken care of.

• Pros: This stone comes in a variety of shades and patterns: some with specks and others with veins.
• Cons: Granite can be expensive, needs to be resealed regularly, and can only be fitted by professionals.
• Cost: $35 – $75 per square foot.

Quartz Bathroom Countertops

Quartz is made from a blend of ground-up quartz, resins, and pigments. It is more uniform than other natural stones.

• Pros: Quartz is less maintenance than marble and granite because it isn’t as porous.
• Cons: Engineered quartz is not as heat-resistant and natural stone.
• Cost: $50 – $150 per square foot.

Marble Bathroom Countertops

Elegant and timeless, marble bathroom countertops are considered the crème de la crème of bathroom vanities.

• Pros: Marble bathroom countertops are strong, durable, and an all-time classic.
• Cons: Marble vanities are prone to etching and scratching. They need to be wiped down immediately after use and require regular re-sealing.
• Cost: $40 – $100 per square foot.

Quartzite Bathroom Countertops

Not to be confused with quartz, quartzite is a natural stone usually found in variations of white and gray.

• Pros: Quartzite bathroom countertops are a great substitute for marble as they look alike. The stone is durable and etch-resistant.
• Cons: Like natural stone countertops, quartzite has to be sealed to ensure it stays stain-resistant.
• Cost: $60 – $100 per square foot.

Travertine Bathroom Countertops

‍Travertine is a type of limestone that forms from carbonate materials in wet environments like caves and hot springs.

• Pros: Travertine offers a luxurious and natural look. It’s highly reflective and enhances the light in darker bathrooms.
• Cons: It is prone to etching and scratching, requiring regular sealing to prolong its lifespan.
• Cost: $25 – $50 per square foot.

Conclusion

Located in Memphis, Pro Stone Countertops provide full-service countertop projects. Our experts will guide you through the process, from how to choose bathroom countertops to selecting cabinetry and installation. We used the highest-quality raw materials to ensure your countertops are built to last. Call us today at 662-895-4795, or contact us online.

• Pros: This stone comes in a variety of shades and patterns: some with specks and others with veins.
• Cons: Granite can be expensive, needs to be resealed regularly, and can only be fitted by professionals.
• Cost: $35 – $75 per square foot.