When visiting a home or checking into a hotel, many of us head straight to the bathroom first just to get a glimpse of what’s to be expected from the rest of the accommodation. The bathroom isn’t just a place to cleanse and refresh yourself. It is an intimate reflection of your home’s core values.
That is why a beautifully designed bathroom can increase the value of the home. An attractive bathroom vanity countertop is a game-changer to the ambience of this private enclave.
7 Popular Bathroom Countertops
Below are 7 types of popular bathroom countertops that you can consider for your next renovation. Let us know in the comments below which one is your favourite!
Granite Countertops
Granite is one of the favourite bathroom vanity top material. Besides its attractive design, granite is known for its hardness and scratch resistance. This makes it a very durable and beautiful countertop.
However, with its porous nature, granite has to be resealed to prevent dirt, moisture, and oil stains from absorbing into the material. This is important especially when the bathroom is perpetually surrounded by damp air.
Nonetheless, with proper care and maintenance, your granite countertop will stay elegant and beautiful for a long time.
Marble Countertops
Marble countertops offer homeowners a dose of opulence and luxury. The material comes in various colour tints and unique veining to match just about any style. Marble, being a natural stone, is unique and no two slabs are alike.
Unlike granite, marble is relatively softer. Hence, it scratches and stains easily. Be mindful of what you place on your marble countertop. There may be ingredients in your makeup, perfume, etc that may stain your beautiful surface.
When cleaning your marble countertop, avoid acidic cleaners at all costs. The acidic solution will react with the calcium carbonate in marble, marring the surface of your precious countertop.
Similar to granite countertops, it is porous and needs to be resealed periodically.
Quartz Countertops
If you are looking for durable and functional bathroom vanity tops, quartz is the answer. Quartz can be engineered to mimic the look of natural stone, and it comes in various colours and designs. Some of the popular bathroom countertops made of quartz are Silestone and Caesarstone.
Unlike natural stones like granite and marble, quartz is waterproof. This means you can have the elegance and aesthetics of natural stone, without the high maintenance. Due to its non-porous feature, you never have to worry too much about removing stubborn stains off your countertop.
Also, quartz countertops are more hygienic. Without pores, it has no room to harbour moisture and bacteria beneath its surface.
Just like marble and granite, quartz has visible seams. But with professional workmanship, the visibility of the seams can be minimised.
Solid Surface Countertops
Solid surface countertops are created from a mix of acrylic and polyester particles, which are bonded by resin. Because it is man-made, it can be customised into various designs and colours. You can even design an integrated sink and backsplash with the same material for a seamless and sleek look.
While it is a versatile design material, the solid surface is prone to scratches and is not heat resistant. Since the bathroom isn’t a place that deals with high heat, it may not be such a huge concern.
Nonetheless, you’ll have to be cautious where you place your hot curling iron or hairdryer onto the surface.
Concrete Bathroom Countertops
For a unique and modern twist, concrete is now a trendy option for young adults who fancy the industrial theme. A concrete countertop for the bathroom is not just a rough slab.
The material comes in various tints, textures and can be embedded with stones, tiles, and glass for a contemporary look. You can customise your concrete countertops to suit your preferred style and design.
However, concrete requires sealing due to its high porosity. Despite that, it is still prone to stains and water spots. Water spots are almost unavoidable in the bathroom. It can be an eyesore if you prefer an even-toned surface. Until the surface is dried, you may be racking your brain to find out if the patch is a stubborn stain or a mere wet spot.
While the material is tough and durable, there is not much option to repair should any major cracks appear. You will have to replace the entire countertop.
Tiled Countertops
Tiles are among the most popular bathroom countertops due to their wallet-friendly entry price. Generally, tiles are made from ceramic, glass, and porcelain. A tiled countertop may be deemed common, and even traditional. But with modern design and material, a tiled countertop can produce stunning effects for your bathroom.
There is a wide range of designs to select from depending on your preferred theme. Tiling your countertop can be a DIY project because it is relatively quite easy to install, and cost-effective!
However, it is common to find cracked ceramic tiles and visibly stained grout lines on the tiled surface. Care has to be taken to ensure you don’t slam any heavy objects onto the countertop.
When handling coloured pigments like hair dye and makeup, be sure to wipe up any spills on your countertop to prevent them from lodging within the grout lines. To prevent mould and mildew along the grout lines, you will need to seal it.
Terrazzo Countertops
If you think Terrazzo is just for flooring, think again. Terrazzo is the latest trendy countertop style to hit our shores. This material brings a charming twist to bathroom designs with a multitude of colour schemes.
Not only are these countertops pretty, but they are also an eco-friendly option. Terrazzo is made from a combo of recycled components such as various stone chips (granite, marble, quartz, etc) and glass fragments, mixed with cement and resin. Also, it contains low to zero volatile organic compounds (VOC), which means you get to enjoy healthier indoor air quality at home.
However, like any trendy design in the market, Terrazzo (though not a newcomer) has a risk of fading into the background.
Nonetheless, through high-tech and unique manufacturing processes, the modern-day terrazzo is an enhanced version of yesteryear. With higher resistance, lower maintenance, wider design versatility, and being environmental-friendly, Terrazzo countertops may just beat all odds to stay in the game for the long run.
Choosing the Best Bathroom Countertop
When selecting the right material for your bathroom countertop, the key is to understand the pros and cons of each bathroom countertop material, and balance them using the below 3 considerations:
Consider Your Lifestyle
Some popular bathroom countertops may be trendy, but are they suitable for your home? Similar to choosing kitchen countertops, selecting the right bathroom vanity top should also take lifestyle and bathroom habits into account. Ask yourself these questions:
- Which bathroom is the countertop for?
- Is it for the master room, kid’s room, or guest room?
- Do you use the bathroom regularly?
- Are you a busy professional who simply dislikes household chores?
- Are you someone who enjoys a great bathroom experience?
Since not all bathrooms are built alike, you can select different materials for different bathrooms within your home accordingly.
Maintenance and Care Routine
Different materials come with different care instructions. Some more than others. If you fall in love with the aesthetics, you must also be ready to give your countertop its much-deserved TLC.
For example, natural stone countertops such as granite and marble have to be sealed regularly to maintain their beauty, function, and hygiene.
However, if keeping up with maintenance schedules isn’t your cup of tea, you may require other fuss-free options. If you love the look of granite and marble, the quartz countertop is a perfect alternative that embodies attractive aesthetics, hygiene, durability, and best of all, it is low maintenance.
Bathroom Renovation Budget
Bathroom vanity countertops are available at different budget points. It ranges from the cheaper options such as laminates, and ceramic and glass tiles to the steeper selections of granite and marble.
Nonetheless, engineered stones such as quartz and solid surface materials come at an affordable price with premium quality.
Remodel Your Bathroom with these Popular Bathroom Countertops
Get creative in your next bathroom renovation. After all, your bathroom should be a refreshing haven of relaxation after a hard day’s work.
Visit Aurastone for the latest countertop designs and materials.
