Countertops are supposed to be solid surfaces found in your kitchen or bathroom – all of which typically suite the needs of the homeowners and others living in the household. But how do we know what solid surface to choose when remodeling our countertops?
Bathrooms are usually put on the backburner, in comparison to kitchens. Why is that? Well, probably because kitchen countertops take more abuse, mainly due to knives, hot pots and pans, steamy oven trays, and much, much more.
However, that should not distract us from our other obligation: Our bathroom countertops. Granted, we can choose a material that shows off our style in a friendlier way when it comes to the bathroom countertops, but that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t keep in mind our budget and maintenance costs, too.
If you’re remodeling your bathroom countertops, take a look at the following questions and answer them:
- What kind of bathroom are you aiming to rebuild into? Will it be used daily? Will it be a guest bathroom?
- How many people are going to use the bathroom daily? Will children be using it?
- Are you upgrading for yourself? Or are you upgrading to sell your home soon?
Answer these questions. Believe us, each answer will lead you towards a specific countertop option. For instance, if you have children that will be using the bathroom, you’re not going to want to purchase a solid surface that is porous, not stain-resistant, and not heat-resistant.
There are just certain things you’ll want to look for depending on the type of bathroom you’re remodeling to, the number of people using it, and the reason behind the upgrade.
Without further ado, it’s time to get into the best bathroom countertop options for your remodel. Read up on the facts and make your educated decision at the end; we’re only here to steer you in the right direction!
Granite
Granite has its pros and cons, as does every countertop option. For instance, the selection with granite surfaces is practically endless; the patterns have a wide range. Another plus? This option is one of the most popular and most elegant of the natural stone choices – especially with its high-end designer look.
Granite is:
- Long-lasting
- Water-resistant
- Stain-resistant
- Scratch-resistant
- Easy to clean
If any women live in the house, this is the material to choose for high-durability and high resistance to heat. You can practically leave a curling iron on the countertop, and not much will happen.
However, the surface does need to be appropriately sealed – especially if you don’t want to have to keep up with the maintenance nonstop.
On the downside, granite’s cost is a lot higher than other countertop options, making it almost the most expensive surface on the market.
Be sure to seal the countertop every six months to twelve months, too, to keep up the appearance as much as possible.
Marble
Over the past several years, marble has become a more affordable countertop option. Typically, the surface is found to be all white with many lines of gray (better known as veining).
What other details can you learn about marble?
Luckily, this solid surface lasts a long time – mainly because it’s strong and has a high resistance against dents and chips.
What’s more, is that you’ll have quite a few options regarding the finish on your marble countertop; you can either go with a shiny, glossy finish, or you can lean towards the opposite side of the spectrum and choose a casual and matte-like tone.
Unfortunately, the cost of the product can vary depending on the details and potential vibrant colors you lean towards. Though marble may be resistant to dents and chips, it is not immune to scratches, stains, and etching from any acidic substance applied to it. We advise not to use any cleaning solution that contains lemon juice because of this.
Laminate
Laminate is the perfect countertop option for homeowners that have family bathrooms or teenagers’ bathrooms. These budget-friendly surfaces have multiple color options and stylistic choices to choose from – what’s more, is that the stone looks just like stone, but it can also be constructed to resemble a wood surface, too.
Fortunately, laminate is super easy to clean, water-resistant, and it takes minimal upkeep to make it look nice and new. This stain-resistant material is also highly affordable and very, very economical.
On the other side of things, laminate tends to thin and dull over time. If high humidity or moisture seeps into the material over a long period, the material may start to peel or detach from where it’s rooted.
Any damage to the surface cannot be repaired, meaning you’ll need to replace the countertop entirely. In addition, makeup sills and any other spill should always be cleaned up immediately, mainly to prevent further damage.
Quartz/Engineered Stone
Like most bathroom countertop choices, quartz and engineered stone offer a ton of different options. What’s the best part about this material? You’ll never have to seal or polish it from the moment you install it into your bathroom.
If we keep adding to the pros list, we’ll find that quartz and engineered stone are both stain-resistant, scratch-resistant, moisture resistant, and bacteria resistant.
Unfortunately, if you do texturize or hone the finish on quartz or engineered stone countertop, fingerprints and smudges are subject to show – excessive wiping of the surface may be a necessity. Also, high acidic or high alkaline chemicals such as solvents and bleach can potentially damage the material. The cost is moderate, compared to the rest, so be sure to weigh your options.
Now you know the four major choices you have to decide from:
- Granite
- Marble
- Laminate
- Quartz/Engineered Stone
Other common options include concrete and tile (but they aren’t always chosen due to some of their surprising pros and unfortunate cons). You can find out more at slabmarket.
Take a look at the details we’ve provided you thus far and then make a calculated decision. Remember to ask yourselves the sets of questions we pointed out in the beginning, and make sure your answers line up with the option you select. If you do that, all will be good in the world of bathroom countertops.