How to Choose Your Bathroom Countertop (9 Best Materials)

It doesn’t matter if you’re choosing a bathroom countertop to spruce up an existing design or for a remodelling project. There are many attractive and functional choices at every price point. Just remember to choose a material that stands up well to water, cosmetics, acetone-based liquids, soap and toothpaste. 

Luckily, most surfaces that are suitable for kitchens also work in bathrooms. These include marble, granite, laminate and porcelain. The decisions most homeowners have trouble with when it comes to picking out their bathroom countertop are:

a) how much to spend, and 

b) what style to choose. 

Both are significant factors, but you also need to keep practicality in mind. Let’s explore some popular materials suitable for bathroom countertops.

9 Best Home Bathroom Countertop Options

Let’s look closer at some of the most suitable bathroom countertop materials for your home. Choose from a wide range of natural and synthetic materials. 

• Granite

Granite is suitable for bathrooms thanks to its durability and beauty which offers a one-of-a-kind appearance unmatched by any other natural stone. 

Since granite is naturally occurring, each slab has a unique veining pattern, with colours ranging from subtle to bold. This means that with a little bit of searching you can find one that’s perfect for your home. 

Another quality of granite is that it’s both scratch and stain-resistant and can, with minimal upkeep, last a long time. 

Being a popular material, it adds value to homes, no matter how it’s used. Granite, priced from $40 to $100 per square foot, remains one of the most economical choices. 

• Marble

Marble has been a symbol of style and luxury for centuries. A naturally hard and long-lasting material, it can be found in a variety of hues and shades. It can also be honed for a casual matte-finished appearance or polished to a bright shine. 

It’s slightly more expensive than its natural stone countertops (between $125 – $200 per square foot) and needs to be resealed periodically. Also, being porous, marble is prone to scratching, etching and staining, so homeowners need to be careful when working on it. 

• Quartz

Quartz is one of the toughest engineered materials available for countertops. It’s made from 95% ground-up quartz bonded with 5% pigments and resins, which also provide colour to the surface. It’s tougher than many natural stone alternatives and doesn’t need to be sealed. 

It’s naturally resistant to stains, bacteria and moisture, making it ideal for bathrooms. There are a variety of installation options and edge treatments. 

Being priced at $60 to $100 per square foot, it’s an ideal addition to master bathrooms.

• Slate

Slate is a cost-effective material that comes in a wide range of dark shades, like grey and black, and can be used in contrast with neutral interiors. 

Given that it’s not a natural material, it isn’t as porous as marble or granite and is generally priced between $50 and $75 per square foot. 

• Quartzite

Beginning its life as sandstone, this metamorphic rock turns into sturdy and beautiful quartzite through pressure, heat and time. 

When heat is applied, the individual pieces re-crystallize to create an extremely strong material with a decorative sparkling pattern. It’s this long-lasting composition that makes it ideal for bathroom countertops. 

• Laminate

Think laminate countertops are only found in outdated homes? With advances in technology, they can mimic wood, marble and granite. 

Structurally, laminate countertops are made from layers of plastic bonded to a particleboard core. The result yields a solid surface ideal for countertops. You can also find companies that fabricate and customize the product to fit your space. 

Laminate is an inexpensive material available in a range of colours and patterns. Although its lightweight and low cost may turn off some buyers, it’s great for those working on a tight budget and looking for a quick turnaround. Homeowners can expect to pay between $10 to $35 per square foot when purchasing off the shelf. For a custom countertop, expect to pay $25 to $50. 

They’re great for powder rooms and guest bathrooms but not recommended for master bathrooms where style might be important. 

• Porcelain

Porcelain countertops are great for traditional homes but can also be used in contemporary ones when placed intelligently.

Porcelain is considered impervious to water, which, along with its toughness, makes it a good option for bathroom countertops. 

This affordable material offers designers and remodelers many designs and styles that are also low maintenance. If you have grouting, you will need to clean it properly as it may become discoloured or stained with continued usage. 

• Solid Surface

Solid-surface countertops are made from a blend of polyester and acrylic particles bonded using resins. They are formulated to resemble both natural and synthetic stones and can be moulded into varying shapes to fit any design needs, like bathroom countertops with integrated sinks. The material is easy to care for, can be repaired with sanding, and resists stains well.

There are many styles and colours to choose from, and porcelain stands somewhere between natural stone options and laminate. Its patterns and colouring are consistent across slabs, meaning you don’t need to worry about buying multiple countertops that won’t match.

Solid-surface countertops are typically between $45 and $75 per square foot which includes the cost of fabrication and installation. They’re a good choice for busy bathrooms. 

• Crushed Glass

A relatively new option, crushed glass countertops can look stunning depending on the type of glass used. Strong and easy to clean, they’re suitable for modern designers and homeowners looking to spruce up their space with something unconventional. 

Some models incorporate concrete, but these are less durable and are prone to cracking. 

These are just a few of the best materials for bathroom countertops. Hopefully, this information brings you closer to making a choice. But before you buy, make sure you review them properly to ensure you make an informed investment.