The Benefits and Drawbacks of Conventional Bathroom Countertop Materials

Home renovations, including bathrooms, can be exhausting if you do not know where to begin or what supplies you need. With so many options for bathroom countertop materials, you cannot simply choose one over the other without considering your available space and the existing design.
 
There are two sorts of countertops: low-cost and easy to install and more expensive and difficult to establish.
 
The tiles and laminated bathroom countertop materials will excel when it comes to a budget-friendly one. If you like a more durable and substantial surface, you can include granite, quartz, and concrete in your team.
 
While the industry frequently offers unusual countertop materials, many people cling to the classics, such as laminate, marble, granite, concrete, resin, and solid surface, which we shall explore today.

Ceramic / Porcelain Tile Countertop

The most common countertop materials you will see on your classic decoration are ceramic or porcelain tiles. This type of thing never goes out of style and is still prevalent in today’s house renovations, thanks to the most incredible new ideas. 

Traditional ceramics, such as those used by ancient people, are formed of clay and naturally hardened by fire. However, porcelain is made with more refined clay and is fired at a very high temperature to make it more durable. 

Porcelain is an excellent choice for flooring and countertops since it is less expensive than other materials. It comes in various styles and may be customized to fit your needs, including woods, metals, stones, and other materials.

If you want to undertake the installation yourself, ceramic and glass tiles are far more convenient and perfect. It is also the top pick for the best vanity top material you want to consider.

Pros:
Easy to install
Cheaper than other countertop material
Easily available
You can choose from hundreds of designs
 
Cons:
Tiles can break from too much pressure
Grout is continuous work because it can easily discolor, so you need maintenance for it
Not that durable compared to other prime materials

Laminate Countertop

If you have a limited budget yet want to make your bathroom look exquisite, laminated countertops are another low-cost bathroom material to consider.

Laminated materials have changed through time and are now in the form of plastic linked to particleboard. It is readily accessible on the market, even in bulk, and you may cut it into pieces to fit your vanity.

If you do not want to build it yourself, some fabricators are professionals installing this material and can create the most effective design. People will never suspect you have a laminate vanity top unless they touch it and examine it closely.

Pros:
Cheaper pricing compared to the other materials
Many designs that you can select
Prefabricated items are DIY friendly

Cons:
Customizing is hard if you do it yourself
Lightweight and is not as sturdy as solid ones
Inexpensive thus, the quality is not that great

Marble Countertop

Another pricey countertop material is marble, which is also one of the most durable and long-lasting. This natural stone is a highly veined metamorphic rock that is one of the most attractive.

You can choose marble vanity tops if you want to create an interior design for your bathroom that is more vintage or attractive. Marble is a porous, soft stone that requires sealing every year. So, it will require some upkeep, but it will go a long way.

Pros:
Premium building material
Heavy and durable
Unique in designs

Cons:
Quite expensive
Hard to install yourself
Pretty heavy
Requires a specific time for sealing
More maintenance compared to ceramic ones

Granite Countertop

Granites are another bathroom countertop materials that you can choose to enhance the beauty of your vanity area. These natural stones are also metamorphic rock that undergoes pressure and develops additional fleck patterns. This stone vanity top material is one of the more expensive options at home depots and hardware stores.

Granite is the favored countertop material in most luxury bathrooms with vanities. You can see these types in hotels, large establishments, and workplaces.

Pros:
Premier Material for Countertops
Natural and one-of-a-kind when it comes to designs
Luxurious in style
Highly Available in most stores
Durable

Cons:
Quite Expensive
High Maintenance
Not DIY-friendly

Concrete Countertop

Concrete is now one of the most popular solid surface vanity tops materials. Unlike the concrete you see on the sidewalk, this type is stained and polished, allowing you to create a lovely texture. When you use bathroom benchtops, you can mix and match your style.

It can be a do-it-yourself project, but if you aren’t that handy, some fabricators can help. However, when it comes to pricing, this one isn’t quite as expensive as the others because of its adaptability to any interior style. 

When it comes to quality, though, you can’t argue with the intensity it provides the homeowner.

Pros:
Highly durable
Most designs are in-demands as well
More DIY-friendly for basic countertop design

Cons:
A bit pricey
Repairs are not advisable; if there is a crack, the only option is to replace it
Complicated designs need a legit fabricator

Resin Countertop

Resin is a new trend in bathroom countertop material innovation. Materials for this type are well-curated acrylic, epoxy, and polyester resin, creating this moulded vanity top. People order this countertop material from “blanks,” or you can alter it to make odd, one-of-a-kind kitchen or bathroom countertop arrangements. 

The epoxy can be slightly tinted or colored to get your desired aesthetic. Remember that acrylic resin is of better and outstanding quality than polyester resin, just like those you see on polymarble vanity tops, which are polyester curated.

Because of their various designs and colors, these solid surface vanity tops are one of the most helpful for homeowners who enjoy making their crafts.

Pros:
Price-Friendly
You can DIY this material
Durable and Attractive

Cons:
Resins vary in materials, so there is no consistency in each make
Installation is extensive and messy
Time-consuming and hard to apply
Prone to staining

Solid Surface Countertop

Solid surface countertops can imitate stones and be crafted into any shape, making them highly versatile and the best vanity top material. Many manufacturers offer dozens of various colors and styles, and your options can become bewildering.

It is also great for heavy users like youngsters. Furthermore, this is the material to choose if you need to restore your home quickly before putting it on the market. 
It is simple to fix, and you can even do it yourself.

Pros:
Price-friendly material
Easy to repair
More designs to offer
Consistent in its make so you can put pieces together easily

Cons:
Less natural to look at, especially if imitating stones
It can scorch when subject to intense heat and pressure
DIY selection has a limitation

What Is the Significance of Selecting a Countertop Material?

Your vanity countertop is a crucial part of your bathroom since it adds value to the area, which is why it’s vital to pick the right one. The make of your countertop will determine how long your vanity will last, and it is your prejudice to select whether you want something that will stay in the long run or a temporary piece that you can customize whenever you want. 

What Is the Primary Consideration When Picking Your Bathroom Countertop Materials?

There are many considerations in choosing the best, but the basic ones are its pricing, the quality, and how it complements your interior design.

You must analyze your pricing to see if it fits within your budget, as different materials have varied prices. This selection also comes with the quality of each material. Last will be the appropriateness of your design if it deems fit in what you want your room to look like.

The Bottom Line

Now you know the advantages and drawbacks of the basic bathroom countertop materials that you need to know. Therefore, it is essential to investigate its make, quality, and pricing before picking the best ones you will use as your main thing to go with your washroom vanity top.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Bathroom Countertop Materials

Here are the common queries about the bathroom countertop materials: