BATHROOM
COUNTERTOPS

Aside from kitchen countertops, bathroom countertops are also an important aspect for any remodeling project. Comparing these two areas, bathroom countertops do not require much durability or functionality as it is not constantly exposed to harsher conditions like kitchen countertops.

Consequently, this makes aesthetics one of the major driving factors in choosing the right material for bathroom countertops. Luckily, there are numerous ways of customizing and making this area of your home extravagant and cost-efficient.

Here, we are going to share with you some essential details in improving and choosing the right material for your bathroom and vanity countertops.

Bathroom Countertops Options

Customers’ preferences change over time and there are numerous factors influencing it such as design, variety, price, durability, size, and functionality. Fortunately, we have a lot of options to choose from in remodeling your bathroom countertops.

Precision’s remnants selection are a good place to start as they’re offered at discounted prices. Link to our “Remnant” page.

Among these options, we are going to focus on the top three materials that gained huge market share: quartz, solid surface mineral, and granite countertops.

Quartz Bathroom Countertops

Quartz is a man-made mineral that has gained much prominence in the market. It is made from ninety percent pulverized quartz and other minerals and ten percent cement-based resin binders.

To further gauge its suitability as a bathroom countertop, let us unlock the pros and cons of this man-made mineral.

Pros:

Considering it is man-made, manufacturing plants produce a wide variety of colors, designs, and textures for this mineral slab. Likewise, the size can be customized depending on the client’s preference.

Quartz is much stronger compared with granite. It has enough hardness to effectively resist scratch, dents, and stains.

This mineral has a higher non-porous ability compared to granite and does not require annual sealant maintenance like granite. Consequently, this feature is also responsible for the antibacterial property of quartz.

This mineral requires low cleaning and maintenance, unlike other natural stones which are very delicate to chips, scratches, and liquids.

Most quartz sold in the market has a product warranty of 10 to 15 years. However, you need to read if the warranty is transferable or not.

Installation of this slab is easier compared to other natural stones. You can either have DIY or hire a professional installer for this one.

Cons:

This mineral has an amazing hardness but it has a low resistance to heat. Avoid placing hot pans on its surface to prevent any dark burnt spots.

Price is one of the challenging factors for this mineral. On average, the cost of material and installation of quartz is around $65 to $70 per square foot.

Seams are oftentimes noticeable for quartz. The trick for minimizing its visibility will be on the cut-out size and placement of the slab.

Solid Surface Bathroom Countertops

Solid surface minerals are made from pulverized polyester and acrylic minerals that are bound together by a cement-based resin binder. This material is comparable to quartz but it has greater strength and more affordable.

These minerals have gradually won over the famous “cultured marble” which has dominated the bathroom countertop industry. Below are some of the important pros and cons of choosing this material.

Pros:

Compared to natural stones, this material provides a wide array of color and design options, similar to quartz. Color variety is beyond 100 options and the usual thickness of this slab is ½-inch.

Similar to other materials, you can customize the edge of this man-made mineral. You can have it mitered, stacked, bullnose, or more.

Producing this material is eco-friendly because it can utilize waste powder minerals from other mine sites or stone yards.

The strength of this material is stronger than quartz and granite.

It has enough resistance against stains, scratches, dents, and heat.

Similar to granite and quartz, this material requires less maintenance and cleaning as well.

It does not require annual sealant maintenance. Consequently, its high non-porous ability is sufficient enough to provide sanitary action.

It is a cheaper option than quartz.

Cons:

The appearance of this material still lacks the touch of nature and the amazing impression you get upon looking at the design and texture of natural stones.

Installation of this slab cannot be done using the DIY method. You need to hire a professional installer to avoid technical problems.

It cannot withstand the heat of irons and similar heated metals. It leaves a dark burnt mark on the countertop surface.

Granite Bathroom Countertops

Granite has been a long-time rival of quartz in the industry. They have a close competition in almost all facets of being a mineral for countertops. One of the major competitive edges of this mineral is its natural and mesmerizing design and texture.

The design and veins of this mineral are parallel to marble but with greater strength and heat resistance. To further gauge this mineral as a good material for bathroom countertops, below are its pros and cons.

Pros:

Elegant design and mineral veins which can provide both modern and classic look for your bathroom.

It has superb strength and hardness which can effectively resist dents, marks, and scratches.

It has a higher heat resistance compared to quartz.

It has sufficient non-porous feature which can fight bacteria and molds. Likewise, it also contributes to the stain proof ability of this material.

These minerals are eco-friendly as well because it requires less energy for production.

Requires less cleaning compared to other natural stones.

Cons:

Like other natural stones, granite requires annual sealing maintenance to keep a good non-porous feature.

The price of this mineral slab is almost comparable with quartz.

Type of Bathroom Countertops

The presence of hundreds of options in the market makes choosing really challenging. Here, we are going to narrow down your choice for the various types of bathroom countertops into eight types: glass, tile, recycled looks, concrete, engineered minerals, natural minerals, cultured marble, and laminate.

Quartz or Engineered Stones

Quartz is man-made minerals composed of ninety percent pulverized quartz and other minerals and ten percent cement-based resin binders. The process of making this material is similar to a solid surface and recyclable material slab

Pros:

Superb strength which can effectively resist dents, marks, and scratches

Fairly resistant to stains

There are hundreds of designs and textures available in the market.

Can be customized or pre-made

Cons:

Prone to damage when exposed to acid and basic liquids or cleaning agents

Higher material and installation cost

Low heat resistance

More prone to chips and cuts compared to granite

Natural Minerals

The best thing to admire from natural stones is its unique veins, texture, and color of minerals. Some prominent natural minerals used for countertops include granite and marble.

Pros:

Its natural beauty which definitely separates it from those synthetic minerals

Sufficient strength and hardness to resist scratch and dents

Some minerals have good non-porous features which provide stain-proof and antibacterial abilities

Some have good heat resistance like granite

Cons:

Supply is limited

The majority has a high material cost

A few natural minerals need to have annual sealing maintenance

Cultured Marble and Granite

The limited supply of natural minerals paved the way for the creation of cultured minerals. A good example of this is cultured granite and onyx. The composition of these materials is similar to the solid surface but they have a “gel coat” on its surface.

This gel coat is responsible for enhancing the luster, durability, and non-porous ability of the material. Moreover, cultured marbles are a trending material used for vanity tops.

Pros:

Excellent non-porous ability

Low cleaning and maintenance

There is a sufficient supply for custom-made vanity tops

Hundreds of color and design options

Provides a seamless appearance

Cons:

Requires professional installer

Lesser strength compared to solid surface and quartz

Low heat resistance similar to quartz and solid surface

Bathroom Countertops Ideas

The major limitation of creating a magnificent piece of art for your bathroom remodeling is your creativity. There are several things you can use to make your bathroom countertop make a great standout and getting the right countertop is one major factor.

You can start by choosing materials from our “In Stock” Inventory as they pay by the sq ft only. Link to our “Live Inventory” page.

Here, we are going to share some beautiful ideas on how you would want your bathroom countertop to be after remodeling.

Earth Brown Granite

If you want to create a light and earth-like ambiance in your bathroom, then choose a granite countertop with an earth-brown color and veins. It will make the furniture inside your bathroom less heavy and more invigorating.

Light or Dark Shade Marble

Marble always has that sophisticated feeling when you see them. Choose a light or dark shade of marble which would contrast the other colors in your bathroom. Likewise, you can have a rounded edge for your countertop to enhance the elegance.

Green Marble

A green marble for your bathroom countertop looks best when paired with classic furniture and accessories. It provides an old nature theme right at the comfort of your home. Likewise, it is a good complement with any metal works.

Solid Surface

If you plan to have solid surface bathroom countertop, then go for the Corian. Its cream-like color and shade is a friend to all types of colors and textures around it.

Bathroom Vanity Countertops

Bathroom vanity countertops are smaller compared to kitchen countertops. Their sizes are typically made to match the size of the vanity cabinets inside the bathroom.

In general, the size of a vanity cabinet ranges from 60 inches to 24 inches, where the depth from its front to back side is around 17 inches to 23 inches. Consequently, vanity tops would usually require around one and half a slab of material.

In terms of installation, vanity tops can be done on your own at a lower cost while kitchen countertops mostly require a professional installer to do the job. Furthermore, aside from styles, you can also choose whether to have a single or double basin for your vanity counter.

Styles

Generally, there are two major styles of vanity tops in the market: cut-out and integrated vanity tops. Likewise, both can either be single or double basin type. Moreover, there is a third style called the vessel sinks, much smaller and just sits right on top of your vanity top.

Cut-out Vanity Countertops

For this style, you literally need to have a huge cut-out in your vanity top to insert a separate sink. There are two ways of installing the sink for a cut-out vanity countertop.

The first method is a drop-in sink installation where the sink rests on the lip of the cut-out and is sealed in place. It is also called self-rimming.

The second method is doing an under mount installation of the sink where it is attached underneath the lip of the cut-out.

The main benefit from a cut-out style is you get an array of options for choosing a good sink for your vanity countertop.

Integrated Vanity Countertops

The main difference with this style is that the sink or basin is already built-in with the vanity countertop. Consequently, you do not have the freedom to choose which sink you like but it removes the hassle of installation.

The sink of this vanity top can either be molded into the vanity countertop or readily attached below the counter.

Vessel Vanity Countertops

This style is suitable for smaller bathroom areas but still provides the elegance needed for a vanity counter. Unlike the other two styles mentioned above, the sink or basin of this one is placed on top of the vanity counter.

There is a small hole drilled into the vanity counter and the sink enough to allow the water to drain down the pipe. Most of the basins used for this style are made from glass, ceramics, porcelain or metal.

BATHROOMCOUNTERTOPS