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The choice of countertop material has a major impact not just on the style of a bathroom but also on how easy it is to live with. It needs to look great, but if it’s high-maintenance, then keeping it that way can soon become an unwelcome chore. Cost also has an impact, and it may be possible to achieve a desirable appearance with a less expensive product. Although DIY and craft enthusiasts may want to investigate how to make your own countertops, this definitive guide to the best countertop materials for bathrooms focuses almost exclusively on finished products.
1. Marble
Nothing says high-quality countertops quite like marble. It is a bathroom classic that oozes quality. Natural marble has beautiful veining. It remains cool to the touch on all but the hottest days. It is also undeniably expensive. As Sandya Dandamudi of GI Stone, a custom stone specialist in Chicago, Illinois, points out, “Vanities tend to be small, but a fabricator will charge you for a whole slab, even if it’s too large. To make sure you are not paying for a whole slab of material, it’s a good idea to ask the fabricator to see if they have remnants available.”
Also available are engineered and cultured marble, which are more affordable countertop choices. They are made with real marble that is crushed and mixed with resins, plus dyes or pigments. They may not have quite the visual impact of natural marble, but along with lower cost, they require less maintenance.
Pros: Each piece of natural marble is unique. Man-made versions are easy to keep clean.
Cons: Natural marble must be sealed regularly to prevent staining.
2. Granite
If marble is the top choice for that luxury appeal, then granite is often a close second. This natural stone comes in a variety of colors and patterns, so no two countertops are quite alike. It is a top pick for those looking for particularly durable countertops—it doesn’t chip or scratch easily. It is also resistant to heat, so you can rest your hair dryer or curling tongs on it without risk of damage.
Although not as porous as marble, you will still want to know how to seal a granite countertop to keep it in peak condition and prevent the buildup of mildew or bacteria.
Pros: Another luxurious natural stone with timeless appeal.
Cons: Though cheaper than marble, it’s still expensive, and needs to be sealed annually to prevent problems.
3. Quartz
Quartz may not have quite the kudos of the two natural stone alternatives above, but it has plenty going for it. Quartz countertops are another engineered product, made from a mix of rock and resin. The resulting material certainly makes it among the most durable countertops. Quartz is stain- and heat-resistant, and because it is non-porous, it doesn’t need to be sealed. So if there’s any argument over which is easier to live with in the quartz vs. marble debate, the former wins easily.
Quartz countertops are available in a wide range of solid colors and also with veins and other patterning intended to mimic real stone.
Pros: Huge color choice, very tough, and easy to look after.
Cons: Although man-made, it is often as expensive as granite.
4. Solid Surface
Solid surface countertops are made from acrylic polymers, though they may include minerals for increased durability. Corian is perhaps the best known of these types of countertops. It can be made to look like stone, marble, or quartz but is less expensive than natural materials. However, those considering Corian vs. quartz, for example, should note that solid surfaces tend not to have the same level of scratch- or heat-resistance.
Solid surface countertops are non-porous, making them a stain-resistant material that doesn’t need to be sealed. This also makes them easy to keep free of germs, bacteria, and mildew. Solid surface countertops can be molded in almost any size so even in large bathrooms there shouldn’t be any need for unsightly seams.
Pros: Can mimic wood, stone, quartz, or marble without the maintenance issues.
Cons: Somewhat plasticky feel with modest scratch- and heat-resistance.
5. Laminate
Those looking for affordable countertops will find laminates hard to beat. They are made with a composite core (typically MDF) that is wrapped in a resin-impregnated covering. As this covering can be printed in any color or pattern, at a glance it could be mistaken for stone, quartz, granite, or marble. It is a lightweight countertop material ideal for DIY installation.
However, as designer and contractor Sabrina Phillips of Designing Women of OC told us, “Laminate can be easy on the wallet, but doesn’t hold up well in humid bathroom environments. Over time, laminate can peel, warp, and is difficult to repair if damaged,” she says. Laminate countertops “also don’t add much home value compared to quartz or stone options.”
Pros: Low-cost and available in an enormous range of colors and patterns.
Cons: Don’t have the durability of other options and can eventually degrade in humid environments.
6. Concrete
Although it is one of the more unusual countertop surfaces for a bathroom, concrete is an interesting option with some unique features. It can obviously provide an industrial feel to a space, but concrete doesn’t have to be left ‘raw’; it can also be stained and polished. It is very strong, but concrete does tend to be very heavy, so proper support will need to be considered. Sealing is vital to prevent staining.
Perhaps surprisingly, commercially available concrete countertops can be as expensive as granite, partly because they are often molded in position. However, homeowners with some DIY skills, who don’t mind a little experimentation, could try to cast their own.
Pros: Very strong and makes a unique and unusual statement.
Cons: Heavy and often more expensive than people imagine.
7. Glass
There are two types of glass countertops for bathrooms. The first embeds pieces of crushed glass in an acrylic or concrete base. This can produce some interesting effects, though acrylic is not a very scratch-resistant material, and concrete versions need to be sealed periodically.
Some manufacturers can cast bathroom countertops as a single seamless piece of glass. These can be translucent or opaque. The colors and textures available result in countertops that can be absolutely stunning, particularly if lighting is added. Each piece needs to be individually made to fit, and special mounting hardware is required, so glass is among the more expensive options.
Pros: Glass can provide a striking impact. Solid glass is easy to clean.
Cons: Can be expensive, and is not the most resilient material.
8. Tile
Those on a tight budget might want to consider tile countertops. Although these can be installed commercially, they are a great DIY option and allow different areas of the bathroom to be coordinated. Choice of tile is virtually limitless, and if you select a glazed ceramic or porcelain, they won’t need to be sealed.
Of course, tile does require a substrate, so it’s important to choose something that can withstand humidity. Cement board (also called backer board) is recommended in wet areas. Patience is required to achieve a high standard, and grout lines can be prone to discoloration. Tiles don’t have a great deal of impact resistance, but they are relatively easy to replace if there is an accident.
Pros: Potentially a low-cost DIY choice with almost limitless design options.
Cons: The appearance isn’t to everyone’s taste and can be challenging to keep clean.
