Building a Bathroom? The Top Materials for Your Vanity
Explore the pros and cons of seven popular bathroom vanity benchtop materials
Lisa Kahn
24 January 2020
Lisa Kahn is a professional writer and editor with expertise in bathroom and kitchen design and renovation. In addition to her role as About.com's Bathrooms Expert, she has edited more than a dozen books on home design and remodeling, including Grand Master Baths, Eat-In Kitchens, Natural Style and Design Ideas for Home Landscaping. Her feature articles have appeared in The New York Times, The Star-Ledger, New York Spaces Magazine and HomePortfolio.com.
Lisa Kahn is a professional writer and editor with expertise in bathroom and kitchen... More
Choosing the perfect material for one’s bathroom benchtop can be a bit of a brain teaser, thanks to the abundant – and quite attractive – options available at nearly every price level. But because bathroom surfaces typically don’t face the same abuse as those in the kitchen (think hot frying pans, sharp carving knives and spilled Bordeaux), the decisions most buyers wrestle with are usually more about style and cost than Herculean strength.
Fortunately, the top bathroom vanity materials on the market combine beauty and brawn in equal measure. Here’s a closer look at seven of the most sought-after bathroom surfaces among today’s buyers.
Fortunately, the top bathroom vanity materials on the market combine beauty and brawn in equal measure. Here’s a closer look at seven of the most sought-after bathroom surfaces among today’s buyers.
1. Quartzite
Quartzite is one of nature’s hardest and most abundant minerals. In fact, nearly every type of stone contains some percentage of this ubiquitous material. Manufacturers of engineered quartz benchtops (familiar brand names include Caesarstone, WK Quantum Quartz and Silestone) replicate this natural marble-like material by adding pigments, resins and, occasionally, recycled content, to a base that is about 95 percent natural stone.
Pros:
Quartzite is one of nature’s hardest and most abundant minerals. In fact, nearly every type of stone contains some percentage of this ubiquitous material. Manufacturers of engineered quartz benchtops (familiar brand names include Caesarstone, WK Quantum Quartz and Silestone) replicate this natural marble-like material by adding pigments, resins and, occasionally, recycled content, to a base that is about 95 percent natural stone.
Pros:
- Quartzite is tougher than granite and doesn’t require sealing.
- It’s naturally resistant to moisture, stains and bacteria.
- It has a variety of edge treatments and installation options.
- Quartzite can be pricey.
- Honed and textured finishes will show fingerprints and smudges, so frequent wipe-downs may be necessary.
2. Marble
For centuries, marble’s cool elegance has been synonymous with prestige. But thanks to improvements in its production, this rare beauty has become a bit more affordable. A hard, crystalline form of limestone, marble is often white with grey veining, although there are many colour variations on the market.
Pros:
For centuries, marble’s cool elegance has been synonymous with prestige. But thanks to improvements in its production, this rare beauty has become a bit more affordable. A hard, crystalline form of limestone, marble is often white with grey veining, although there are many colour variations on the market.
Pros:
- Long-lasting and strong enough to resist most chips or dents.
- Can be polished for a high shine or honed for a casual, matt finish.
- Adaptable to nearly every style.
- Marble’s porous nature makes it prone to stains, scratches and etching from acidic substances.
- It requires periodic sealing to maintain the finish.
3. Granite
Granite remains a top choice among varieties of natural stone, due to its dramatic beauty and seemingly endless variety of colours and patterns.
Pros:
Granite remains a top choice among varieties of natural stone, due to its dramatic beauty and seemingly endless variety of colours and patterns.
Pros:
- A profusion of options with patterns from subtle to bold and a rainbow of hues, you’re sure to find a slab that speaks your language.
- Granite is hard and scratch-resistant, and requires minimal upkeep when properly sealed.
- It’s impervious to humidity and heat, such as damage from a hot curling iron.
- It lasts just about forever.
- Because granite is so desirable, it’s likely to add resale value to your home.
- Though granite is recyclable, its transport and mining require extensive energy resources.
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4. Engineered stone
Solid-surface materials are made of acrylic resin and crushed stone. Top brands include Corian, Formica Solid Surfacing and Staron. You’ll find a wide range of solid colours and subtle patterns that pair especially well with contemporary decor though complement most bathroom styles.
Pros:
Solid-surface materials are made of acrylic resin and crushed stone. Top brands include Corian, Formica Solid Surfacing and Staron. You’ll find a wide range of solid colours and subtle patterns that pair especially well with contemporary decor though complement most bathroom styles.
Pros:
- It’s extremely durable and naturally resistant to water, bacteria and stains.
- Realistic flecked or veined styles can mimic natural stone.
- It’s virtually seamless.
- Minor damage can be buffed out.
- Available with integrated sink and splashback options, as well as custom colour inlays and lighting effects.
- Wear and scratches are more visible on darker colours.
- It can be damaged by intense heat or if heavy objects are dropped on it.
5. Laminate
Laminate has come a long way since the garish pastels and visible seams many of us remember from the ’60s and ’70s. This easy-care product is composed of a thin plastic surface that’s pressure bonded to a particle board or plywood base. The latest printing technologies are used for modern laminates to produce amazingly realistic stone- and wood-like finishes, as well as a plethora of solid and graphic patterns.
Pros:
Laminate has come a long way since the garish pastels and visible seams many of us remember from the ’60s and ’70s. This easy-care product is composed of a thin plastic surface that’s pressure bonded to a particle board or plywood base. The latest printing technologies are used for modern laminates to produce amazingly realistic stone- and wood-like finishes, as well as a plethora of solid and graphic patterns.
Pros:
- It’s one of the most affordable surfaces for vanity benchtops.
- It’s durable, water-resistant and easy to clean.
- It’s warm to the touch.
- It’s relatively easy to install.
- Laminate tends to thin or dull over time.
- Damages can’t be repaired; the entire vanity top usually needs to be replaced.
6. Tiles
Ceramic tiles can be a charming and informal surface material, especially in a beach cottage-style bathroom. Boldly patterned tiles also make wonderful splashbacks and bathtub surrounds.
Pros:
Ceramic tiles can be a charming and informal surface material, especially in a beach cottage-style bathroom. Boldly patterned tiles also make wonderful splashbacks and bathtub surrounds.
Pros:
- Glazed ceramic tiles are resistant to heat, stains, scratches and moisture.
- Tiles are affordable, and individual tiles can sometimes be replaced if damaged.
- The installation and pattern can be customised.
- Grout can attract stains and mildew and may be difficult to keep clean.
- Tiles can crack or chip.
7. Concrete
No longer exclusively an industrial material, concrete has miraculous shape-shifting abilities that allow an endless array of looks. Most concrete vanity tops are manufactured off-site for maximum quality control.
Pros:
No longer exclusively an industrial material, concrete has miraculous shape-shifting abilities that allow an endless array of looks. Most concrete vanity tops are manufactured off-site for maximum quality control.
Pros:
- It’s an appealing organic material that can mimic the look of natural stone.
- There is a vast range of customised colours, textures and decorative inlays.
- It can be cast in the exact shape, dimensions and edge style you desire.
- It’s extremely durable.
- It’s reasonably eco-friendly, especially when recycled content is added.
- Because concrete is naturally porous, vanity benchtops need to be waxed and sealed regularly.
- Visible seam lines are more common, although their appearance can be minimised with a coloured filler.
Your turn
Which of these materials is your pick of the bunch? Share your favourites in the Comments below, like this story, save the images, and join the conversation.
More
Need more inspiration for your bathroom vanity? Look no further than 10 Furniture Classics You Can Turn Into Bathroom Vanities
Which of these materials is your pick of the bunch? Share your favourites in the Comments below, like this story, save the images, and join the conversation.
More
Need more inspiration for your bathroom vanity? Look no further than 10 Furniture Classics You Can Turn Into Bathroom Vanities
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Porcelain is another material that is beautiful and not mentioned in this article.
What about QUARTZITE???? There's a lot of confusion about what is called quartz (which is engineered) and the "real" stone, quartzite--which, by the way ;), I love for its beauty and practicality.
What about solid surface eg corian. Can be made into any size, shape, no visible joints, warmer and “softer” to touch etc. Love the Cibo solid surface vanities (not featured) although worried that my favourite may have been discontinued before I can use it, sob!