Picking Bathroom Countertops: Comparing Types of Countertop Materials
There are several materials you can choose for your bathroom countertops, and each has unique benefits and drawbacks. It has to stand up to the water, steam, makeup, and everything else that bathrooms are used for. But, you also want countertops that reflect and compliment your home’s atmosphere and design choices.
Learn everything you need to know about choosing bathroom countertops. Find out about the differences between the most popular materials, like natural stone, laminate, wood, and tile. And see how each different material affects your budget and style preferences.
Choosing the Material for Your Bathroom Countertops
Picking bathroom countertops is a chance to, either create a continuous aesthetic throughout your home or building or to create a unique atmosphere. You might not think of it, but the bathroom is a spot that gets plenty of eye-service. Consider, that for the entire time someone is using a bathroom, their time is split between two places: the toilet, and the sink.
So, the type of countertops you choose makes a big difference in how someone experiences the room. When it comes down to choosing a material, it becomes a question of practicality, budget, and design preference. Here are the most common and popular materials for bathroom countertops in your home or business.
Natural Stone Countertops
A natural stone bathroom countertop is the best choice for durability and increasing the resale value of your home. Stone countertops evoke a stable and grounded aesthetic while emanating luxury. Certain varieties of natural stone, like granite, slate, and marble are durable, scratch and dent resistant, heat resistant, and waterproof.
When it comes to stone countertops, some are easier to care for than others. For example, granite, marble, and limestone are semi-porous materials that periodically need to be treated with a sealant. Slate and soapstone are less porous but much harder to install.
Solid Surface Countertops
When you see a solid surface countertop, at first, you might not realize that it isn’t natural stone. But, it is actually a material made from quartzite, manufactured into a slab. Solid surface bathroom countertops are more affordable than natural stone while offering comparable durability, and featuring many of the same benefits as natural stone countertops.
Unlike stone, a solid surface countertop can be easily custom manufactured to your specifications and size requirements. And, there are infinite color and pattern variations from which to choose. The downside of solid surface countertops is that – at close inspection – appear as artificial stone.
Solid surface is a great bathroom countertop choice for high-usage bathrooms because the material is easily repaired. If it gets dented or scratched, you can easily sand it smooth again. And, at the same time, it stands up to moisture and heat as well as any natural stone.
Laminate Countertops
If you want a low-cost countertop for high-usage areas, laminate bathroom countertops are a great choice. Laminate countertops are a plastic veneer that is attached to a slab of Medium Density Fiberboard (MDF). The result is a countertop that can feature a printed pattern to resemble any natural material.
The downside of laminate countertops is that – though it might look like stone – laminate can burn, melt, and damage much easier than solid surface or stone countertops. But, like a solid surface, laminate countertops can be custom manufactured to the specifications of your bathroom. And, you can easily replace the countertop, or section of the countertop if damage occurs.
Tile Countertop
Tile is an attractive and aesthetically versatile material choice for your bathroom countertop. It offers several advantages to laminate and stone while presenting a few drawbacks, as well. If you are looking for a material that lends to self-repairs, longevity, and aesthetic appeal, tile is a great option.
The pattern and artistic variations with tile countertops are limitless. Tiles come in every color under the sun, with an array of finishing patterns. The downside to tile is the grout.
Grout is what holds the tiles in place, and it has a propensity to wear-out. Therefore, tile countertops take more upkeep and maintenance than most other bathroom countertop materials. But, if you can keep them in good shape, tile offers the same water and heat resistance as a solid surface, at a lower cost per square foot.
The only material that requires higher attention to maintenance is natural hardwood countertops. Solid wood countertops are another popular choice but present significant drawbacks to using in the bathroom. Talk to a countertop expert to see what material options are available for your bathroom countertops.