Get To Know The Materials Used For Bathroom Vanity Countertops
Learn about the variety of bathroom vanity countertop materials available today.
Today, choosing the perfect material for your bathroom vanity countertop can bit a bit daunting. With a huge variety of materials, colors and textures available at nearly every price point, narrowing your search comes down to your personal taste, budget, and design needs.
While your bathroom vanity won't have to stand up to the same abuses that your kitchen countertops might, like hot frying pans, carving knives and spilled wine, it will have to deal with water, soap, toothpaste, cosmetics and alcohol and acetone based liquids. Fortunately, most of the bathroom countertop materials on the market combine beauty and toughness in equal measure. In fact, some of the most beautiful countertops are also the most practical.
Let's examine the best materials for your bathroom vanity countertop. If you're working with a designer or design-build contractor, ask them to provide you with samples so you can get a better idea of how the various materials look and feel.
Here's a look at some of the popular bathroom surfaces being used today.
Granite
Granite is one of the most popular countertops among homeowners thanks to its beauty, durability, and endless supply of colors and patterns. It comes in a wide range of natural colors and patterns to fit any décor. It's hard, scratch resistant and requires minimal upkeep when sealed properly. It's also heat and humidity resistant and lasts pretty much forever!
There are a few cons to granite, however. Depending on the type you choose, it can be one of the more expensive choices, and if handled improperly can be damaged so you'll want to hire a professional to install your countertop.
Quartz
Quartz countertops are engineered stone. It consists of about 95% natural stone along with pigment, and resin, which is then custom cut for use. Quartz is tougher than granite and doesn't need sealing. It's naturally resistant to moisture, stains, and bacteria and has a wide variety of colors, edge treatments and installation options.
On the downside, quartz is often as expensive as granite or marble and honed or textured finishes will show fingerprints, requiring frequent cleaning.
Solid Surfaces
Like quartz, solid surfaces are engineered and made with acrylic resin and crushed stone. Solid surfaces are extremely durable, naturally resistant to water, bacteria and stains and come in beautiful flecked or streaked styles that can rival the beauty of natural stone. Solid surfaces are virtually seamless and minor damage can easily be buffed out. Solid surface vanity tops can come with the sink and backsplash integrated and custom colors are available.
Solid surfaces have a few downsides. The style is currently waining. Wear and scratches are more visible on dark colors and the surface can be damaged by intense heat or dropped objects.
Marble
Marble has been a symbol of luxury and elegance for centuries. It was a staple in affluent homes and ancient palaces. Today, thanks to new production techniques marble has become more affordable, but it is still one of the most expensive countertops available. Marble is a crystalized form of limestone, and is commonly white with streaks of grays, although there are many other color variations available. It's a strong, long lasting surface that is resistant to most chips and dents and can be polished to a high shine, or honed for a more casual matte finish. It fits in almost any décor.
The cons; it's expensive and due to it's porous nature, is prone to stains, scratches and etching from acidic liquids. In order to keep it clean and maintain the finish, it does require periodic sealing.
Concrete
One of the newest countertop materials, concrete is gaining in popularity and is not just for industrial design anymore! It is a highly malleable substance and lends itself to multiple uses. It's popularity comes from it's appeal as an organic material, but it can mimic the properties of natural stone. It's available in a vast array of customized colors, textures and with decorative inlays. Because it is custom cast, it is available in the exact shape, dimensions and edge style you want. Extremely durable, it's reasonably eco-friendly especially when recycled material is added.
It does have some special considerations. It will need to be professionally designed, fabricated and installed. Concrete is also naturally porous so your vanity countertop will need to be regularly waxed and sealed. It also sports visible seam lines, but these can be minimized with colored filler.
Laminate
Laminate has come far since the pastel colors and visible seams of the 70's. Today very realistic stone and wood finishes are used for modern laminate countertops as well as a wide variety of solid and graphic patterns. Laminate is extremely affordable, durable and easy to clean. Presized countertops are widely available at home improvement stores and it is relatively easy to install.
Unfortunately, laminate tends to thin or dull over time and when damaged the entire countertop usually needs to be replaced.
Today, you have more choices then ever before when it comes to choosing a bathroom vanity countertop. High-quality materials are available to fit any budget and style. Speak with your designer or design-build contractor to help choose the perfect material to fit your style, needs and budget.
Schedule a call or in-person meeting with the designers at Toulmin Kitchen & Bath.
About Toulmin Kitchen & Bath - We're West Alabama's award-winning, premier kitchen and bath showroom. We're experts who are known for a design-build process that makes the construction process stress-free. Contact us to schedule an appointment for a design consultation.
