Complete Your Bathroom Vanity With The Perfect Countertop

For most of us, our days will both start and end by passing through our bathroom vanity, as we first make ourselves fresh and presentable for the day ahead, and later as we prepare ourselves for a restful night’s sleep. When you’re going to be spending so much time in a space, it pays to give it extra attention when planning a renovation or remodelling. One of the most important pieces of your vanity to be aware of is the countertop, as the style and material you choose can have a big effect on the feel of the entire space.

Countertop Types: Materials

As your bathroom vanity countertop will be seeing heavy use and need to endure years of exposure to water, soap and other products, the choice of material is crucial. Choices range from the classic and elegant granite and marble, through other materials such as tile, laminate and sealed wood.

• Marble

A classic material, marble brings a luminous elegance to any room when used as a surface. Given that our museums are still full of marble statues from the age of Rome, you won’t be surprised to hear that marble has fantastic longevity. Depending on the grade and thickness, marble has a distinctive veining that is impossible to replicate with any other material.

Marble does have downsides, however. Compared with other stone materials like granite, marble stains easily and is softer, potentially making it easier to crack if struck with something heavy. In general, marble is more high maintenance than other stone countertop surfaces, but you may be surprised to read that it is not significantly more expensive.

• Granite

Granite is another tried and trusted natural countertop material. Granite is extremely tough, will be difficult to chip or crack, and is very resistant to staining when sealed properly.

While you might think of a specific colour when you imagine granite, the stone is actually available in a wide variety of different colours and patterns. The ‘grade’ of granite that you purchase can be adjusted to fit your budget and needs, and determines the look, thickness, and properties of the final material.

Overall, both granite and marble are great investments to make in your home should your budget allow.

• Quartz/Quartzite

Quartz is a product that can provide the look and feel of a natural stone without the cost. Composed of leftover materials from mining other stone and materials, the results are crushed and bound together with a cement resin. Quartz bathroom countertops are a very popular choice.

The final product usually costs less than half of the cost of granite per square foot, but is actually harder, more durable, and more resistant to staining. Many new high-end quartz products are available, some of which mimic natural stone, while others go for a classy, ultra-modern appearance.

While the name is similar, quartzite is a quarried stone like marble or granite, with properties somewhat in between those two materials.

• Tile

Tile is another popular and classic choice for a vanity countertop. As tiles can be manufactured out of anything from granite to glass, they will have the durability and appearance of the underlying material.

As each tile can be selected independently, this gives you great freedom in selecting the final appearance of your countertop, allowing for interesting patterns and designs. As far as disadvantages go, the main issue encountered with tile is staining along the grout lines, which will need to be cleaned regularly.

• Laminate

Laminate is a synthetic product manufactured from layers of compressed resins and other materials. It can be made to resemble many other more expensive materials at a fraction of the cost. Laminate is considered the most budget friendly countertop material on the market today, with laminate bathroom countertops appealing to those who want the look of stone or quartz without the price tag.

While still a popular choice, laminate ultimately can’t quite match the look and feel of the more expensive stone materials. It’s also less durable than stone, and easier to chip or damage.

• Sealed Wood

For those who love the look of wood, sealed wood countertops are a great choice. The main thing to be aware of are the maintenance requirements – not only does your countertop need to be properly sealed, but it also needs to be regularly treated with a product such as mineral oil to avoid water damage.

Branded Countertop Products

It’s worth noting that there are many excellent branded countertop products on the market that provide great choices. Many of these are speciality quartz products, who attach a standard of quality and appearance to their surfaces. Two trusted brands are Cambria and Caesarstone.

Both of these brands produce classic quartz products that mimic stone, while also producing more modern white or off-white materials with a fresh appearance. These can be a great choice for a white bathroom countertop with the feel of stone.

How Do I Care for My Countertop

All countertops benefit from a regular wipe-down to prevent the accumulation of dirt and grime. However, it’s inevitable that your countertop will eventually require a deeper cleaning, which is when it becomes important to select the correct product for your surface material. Using the wrong product could permanently damage your countertop.

Laminate products are very resilient and can accept most commercial cleaning products. Most tile products are sealed and can accept a variety of cleaners, though you should check based on the material and style.

Stone products such as marble, granite, or quartz must be cleaned very carefully, avoiding the use of any harsh or acidic products, such as vinegar. For deep cleaning, make sure you select a product with care that is compatible with your material of choice. Due to the special properties of marble, it should never be allowed to air-dry and must be dried by hand.

No countertop should be cleaned with an abrasive cleaning implement, like steel wool.

Summary

Your countertop takes up a lot of space and is responsible for the overall look and feel of your bathroom vanity. It’s crucial to choose the right material, not only based on appearance but also durability, longevity and budget.