Revised March 14, 2023
A bathroom remodel is one of the most satisfying home improvement projects out there. It’s a small room, so you get a lot of bang for your buck, and the remodeling process is often much shorter than for a larger project like the kitchen. Best of all, bathroom remodels are likely to add to your home’s value, so it’s a project you can feel good about investing in.
If you’re planning your next bathroom remodel, one of the major considerations to make is your bathroom countertops. The material you choose can have a big impact on the finished product, so it’s important to know what your options are. Here are the pros and cons of four of the top bathroom countertop options for your bathroom remodel:
Laminate Bathroom Countertops
Laminate bathroom countertops are a great option for any size bathroom on any remodeling budget. Laminate is easy to come by, it is inexpensive, and it’s fairly easy to install. Laminate is available in both sheets of the material or post-form tops. The sheet goods would need to be cut to size and adhered to substrate to create your countertop on site while post-form tops are typically fabricated to your specific dimensions. Both install options are typically quite easy for the average DIY homeowner.
Laminate is available in an unlimited range of colors and patterns. There are even high-definition laminate options that use an image of granite or stone to give you a higher-end look. If you’re looking to make a statement in a small room, bright, patterned countertops can have an unexpected and whimsical effect.
While laminate is a durable and affordable bathroom countertop option, it’s good to know that it may not be as long-lasting as a stone or porcelain bathroom countertop material. If not installed correctly, laminate can peel and bubble over time, especially in a damp environment like the bathroom. It is also not a heat resistant product so care needs to be taken around devices such as curling irons.
Solid Surface Bathroom Countertops
A mixture of acrylic resin and natural minerals, solid surface countertops are another popular bathroom countertop option. Designed as a homogenous material, solid surface countertops are uniform throughout the entire product, unlike laminate. This makes repairs a breeze—should you scratch or chip your solid surface counter, it’s easy to sand out any imperfections.
Countertops that are easy to clean and disinfect are a must for any bathroom! Solid surface counters are nearly non-porous, meaning there is little space for bacteria to hide. Additionally, solid surface countertops are an affordable option for your bathroom remodel. Designed to resemble natural stone, you can get solid surface counters at a lower cost than the real deal without sacrificing on style. Corian, the original solid surface countertop, offers over two dozen stunning color options to fit the aesthetic of any bathroom. Be sure to keep hot tools from sitting directly on your solid surface countertop—extreme heat can damage the surface.
Quartz Bathroom Countertops
When solid stone countertops started gaining popularity for kitchens and beyond, so did quartz. Quartz countertops are actually a composite, man-made material comprised of natural stone quartz, resin, and coloring agents. It affords a similar, luxury look to marble or granite at a slightly lower cost. A great option for any bathroom countertop, quartz is one of the most durable countertop options on the market, requiring little to no maintenance. Because quartz countertops are manmade, it’s also easier to find the patterns and colors that go best with your design plan for your bathroom remodel.
Quartz is a great option for your new bathroom, but know that just like all of the other countertop material options, it does have a few drawbacks. Quartz is more expensive than a laminate or porcelain option, though likely to cost less than marble or granite. (Read a complete breakdown of quartz vs. granite.) And, while quartz is a very resilient countertop material, it’s resin components make it slightly less heat resistant than other materials. If you do opt for quartz in your bathroom, you won’t want to leave your curling iron directly on the counter.
Marble or Granite Bathroom Countertops
Finally, solid stone is an ideal bathroom countertop material if you’re looking for a way to add a touch of luxury to your newly remodeled bathroom. Both marble and granite are harvested directly from the earth, which means that the final product — your countertop — is always one of a kind. This adds a unique, natural finish to your bathroom remodel.
While marble and granite are beautiful, luxury options for your bathroom countertops, they will come at a higher cost than the other material options. Though both options are relatively low-maintenance, they do require regular cleaning, and the occasional sealing to protect them from scratches or stains.
Looking for the best bathroom countertop options? Stop into your local Zeeland Lumber & Supply location. We’d be happy to show you some of the best options for bathroom countertops from a variety of top brands. Contact our Kitchen & Bath team or stop into one of our showrooms to see what’s on display!
