Remodeling or constructing a new bathroom can become stressful when it comes to choosing the materials you’d like for your floor, shower, and especially your vanity’s countertop.
When choosing the ideal countertop material, it’s typical to have the decision be weighted on two main factors— durability and aesthetic. You want the surface that you conduct your daily grooming and beauty affairs to also be beautiful and stay beautiful.
Here are 3 countertops that we think are top-notch materials for your bathroom:
1. Granite
Granite is a natural stone, making each one of its slabs unique in color and pattern. According to Consumer Reports, granite earns excellent ratings for heat resistance and abrasion. Additionally, it does a great job in maintaining a stain-free exterior, which is important especially if you apply makeup in the mornings and/or evenings.
Granite is a more expensive countertop option, but it can last a lifetime with proper care and maintenance. To keep your granite looking new, seal it every one to two years with a quality sealant.
However, granite does a bit more maintenance than say, some other materials on the list. It’s important to reseal your granite countertop every so often to ensure its durable quality. A way to test for this is to see whether water sinks into the surface as opposed to beading at the top.
2. Laminate
Laminate is the least expensive countertop material, and it’s easy to install yourself. It also requires little to no maintenance. However, it can be scratched or stained and is not as heat-resistant as some other materials.
Nowadays, laminate countertops are chameleon-like in their ability to convincingly pass as marble, granite, wood, or leather. They’re made from plastic layers bonded to a particleboard core.
The plastic layer can be printed with a wood grain, marble design, or any other desired effect.
This material is great for those of us on a budget and is both heat- and stain-resistant. On top of that, laminate is sturdy against chipping and cracking, but might be more prone to getting scratched up.
3. Quartz
If you’re looking for a countertop that resembles natural stone but is a little less expensive, quartz may be a good option for you. This material is engineered with a blend of quartz and other types of stone, mixed with pigments and resins to imitate the appearance of natural stone.
Like granite, quartz should be sealed every one to two years to protect it from staining.
Unlike natural stone slabs, however, quartz countertops are actually lower maintenance and more durable— they don’t need to be sealed at all.
Quartz is also resistant to heat, abrasion, and staining.