Discover What Materials Make the Best Bathroom Vanity Tops

When choosing a kitchen countertop, the primary element behind your choice needs to be functionality. A typical kitchen countertop takes daily abuse, from cutting to spills. If your counter can't stand up to significant, daily wear and tear, it's absolutely an issue.

However, when it comes to bathroom vanity tops, while functionality is still necessary because your bathroom countertop doesn't need to stand up to the same type of use, aesthetics can play a more significant role in your final decision. And that is great news! Today, bathroom vanity tops come in a wide range of styles and materials to match your taste and style!

In this post, we will look at the pros and cons of some bathroom vanity tops to help you weigh your best options to meet your lifestyle and aesthetic needs.

Choosing the Right Material for Your Bathroom Vanity Top

Today, homeowners have a range of options when choosing bathroom vanity tops. This can make the decision process challenging, thanks to the variety of materials available across all price points. Because bathroom vanity tops don't face the abuse that your kitchen countertops do (think knives, hot pans, and spilled wine), your decision can be based more on style and cost rather than functionality. Most bathroom vanity tops available today can stand up to cosmetics, toothpaste, and water while remaining visually beautiful!

Here are the pros and cons of some of the most popular bathroom vanity countertop materials.

Natural Stone

Nothing beats the look of natural stone. Because it is not man-made, every piece of stone is unique. Whether imported marble or locally sourced granite, natural stone gives your bathroom a luxurious look and excellent functionality with minimal regular maintenance.

The Pros

Natural stone is luxurious and visually appealing since no two pieces are alike. Each type of stone comes with its own set of pros and cons, but generally:

• Slate: Slate is hard and, when sealed, resists stains. It comes in a range of colors, from grays to greens and black.

• Soapstone: A beautiful stone with subtle veining, soapstone is not porous and is easier to care for than granite or marble.

• Marble: A highly veined metamorphic stone, marble is one of the most beautiful and luxurious choices for a bathroom vanity. Marble is highly porous and requires sealing every couple of years. It offers an elegance you won't find in many other countertop materials.

• Granite: Similar to marble, granite has less veining and is the most popular choice among homeowners for bathroom vanity tops. Granite is durable. When properly and periodically sealed, it can last for generations.

The Cons

There are really only two downsides to natural stone.

• Most natural stone, with the exception of soapstone, will require sealing and a little more maintenance than engineered stone or a solid surface.

• Natural stone can be considerably more expensive than many other countertop choices.

Engineered Quartz

Quartz countertops are man-made. They consist of 90% (or more) natural quartz crystals mixed with resin and formed into slabs. Because it is man-made, quartz comes in a number of colors, patterns, and thicknesses, many made to imitate natural materials like limestone, granite, or marble. Quartz is impervious to moisture, resistant to stains and scratching, and never needs sealing.

The Pros

• Quartz is durable and naturally resistant to moisture, stains, and scratches. It is an anti-bacterial surface.

• Minor scratches can just be buffed out.

• It is effortless to clean and never needs sealing.

The Cons

• Wear and scratches can be more visible in darker colors.

• Quartz bathroom vanity tops can be damaged by heat (like from a curling iron) or dropped heavy objects.

• Although it is man-made, quartz can rival granite and marble in price.

Concrete Bathroom Vanity Tops

Concrete has become a popular trend in countertops both in the kitchen and bathroom. As a countertop material, it is often treated by staining and polishing. Concrete is often texturized to give it a visually stunning look. Some installers will embed other materials like tile, stone, or bits of polished glass into the surface during fabrication.

The Pros

• Concrete is currently on trend, making it a strong selling point for a home.

• Concrete is a very durable and strong material.

The Cons

• Repair is not an option. If the surface cracks, the only option is replacement.

• Premium countertops require a specialized concrete fabricator.

• Concrete is one of the more expensive options.

Solid Surfaces

Solid surface material, like quartz, is an engineered, man-made product. It is smooth, non-porous, and typically made from acrylic resin mixed with natural minerals and formed into slabs. Slabs can be joined together to create a virtually seamless look.

The Pros

Solid surface material can be thermoformed into flowing streamlines and unique shapes, often integrating the sink basin into the countertop.

Solid surface material is anti-bacterial, easy to clean, and soft to the touch.

It repels stains, and since the color is solid throughout, scratched surfaces can be repaired with careful sanding.

The Cons

Solid surface material is not heat resistant, so unlike quartz or natural stone, it could be marked when exposed to heat.

Wood Bathroom Vanity Tops

Choosing wood isn't about choosing for practicality. A wood countertop is purely an aesthetic choice. Wood countertops add warmth to your design and, like natural stone, can bring the unmatched look and feel of a natural material to your bathroom.

The Pros

Wood is tactile and adds a natural glow to any design.

When treated and protected, wood countertops can look beautiful for many years.

Wood countertops can make a stunning statement in the bathroom and are an excellent option for the powder room, where moisture is less of an issue.

The Cons

Most wood bathroom vanity tops are pre-treated with oil or varnish to resist the moisture of a typical bathroom. They will need periodic treatment to avoid water damage.

If you're looking for a lower maintenance option, wood-effect porcelain may be a better choice, offering the look of wood without the need for regular maintenance.

Ceramic, Porcelain, or Glass Tile Countertops

Ceramic, porcelain, or glass tile is a more traditional material often used in trendy modern designs thanks to recent advances in manufacturing. Traditional ceramic tile is made of clay, glazed, and then heated by fire to harden them. Porcelain is a type of ceramic that is made of finer clay and fired at higher temperatures. This makes porcelain more durable and a more dense material. Porcelain can also mimic materials like wood or leather, giving you more design options.

The Pros

• Installing ceramic tiles is easy.

• Tile is relatively affordable when compared to other premium countertop options.

• Hundreds of styles, sizes, colors, patterns, and design options are available.

The Cons

• Tile is brittle and can crack when a heavy object is dropped.

• Grout lines can become discolored and require periodic cleaning and sealing.

• Tile can negatively impact your home's resale value.

So What Material is Right For You?

With so many options available, it all comes down to your taste, personal style, and budget. Bathroom vanity tops come in so many styles and price points that there is an option for every homeowner. If you're unsure what to do, consult with your design-build professional. They can help you narrow your choices and choose the perfect bathroom vanity top to meet your lifestyle, aesthetic needs, and budget!

If you're considering a bathroom remodeling project, let us show you all the choices of bathroom vanity tops available! If you live in the Greater Madison area, contact the experts at Degnan Design-Build-Remodel at Contact-Us@DegnanDesignBuildRemodel.com. Let us help you to take your home to the next level of comfort, design, and function! Ready to learn more? We're always happy to answer your questions.