The bathroom vanity is an important part of the room's aesthetics. It can make or break the space if it's not the right size, style and material. The top should be made of strong and durable materials, should be able to withstand a lot of wear and tear and be waterproof and water-resistant. If they lack some of these qualities, you might have to replace them very soon.
Natural Stone
Natural stone is one of the most popular top materials. It’s also one of the most beautiful. Because of the natural colours and patterns, each slab is a unique piece. All you need are durable and stylish bathroom vanity tops only if you want to transform your bathroom into something unique.
The slabs are thick and have an opening which is made for the basin and the faucet. Sometimes, manufacturers combine natural stone with tiles. But with or without tiles, natural stone has a visual depth and comes in a wide range of colour choices. On the other hand, it can be a bit more expensive than the others and requires sealing. But overall, natural stone is an investment worth making.
Engineered Stone
Do you know what makes engineered stone? It's actually a scientifically made stone that has at least 93% of naturally forming quartz. Compared to natural stone, quartz is naturally water-resistant and doesn’t need any sealants. This is the main thing that makes it a very popular option among homeowners for a bathroom basin top.
In general, almost every man-made stone alternative is made by adding quartz in the mix because it’s one of the hardest and most durable minerals on earth. Compared to natural stone tops, which are more resistant to scratches, engineered stone surfaces are more durable. They are, of course, made by rigorous standards.
Porcelain
Porcelain is the most resilient and robust clay material on the market. It has a velvety look and is extremely attractive. Porcelain gives the best of both worlds in terms of structure and appearance. This stone is customisable and can be the focal point of your bathroom or balance in perfectly with any type of bathroom interior.
Porcelain is a great option for bathroom vanity tops because of its non-porous structure. It has an absorption level of less than 5%. It also has enhanced resistance to bacteria, staining, and scratches. If this isn’t enough, porcelain is also heatproof. You can leave your curling iron on the countertop and not worry about it leaving marks or damaging the top.
Ceramic
Ceramic tops have a familiar, classic finish. They are heat resistant and very easy to clean and maintain. Some tops have an integrated overflow. Ceramic tops also have a very high scratch resistance and won’t discolour over time. However, if you hit it with a hard object the ceramic top may chip and crack. These bathroom vanity tops only come in several sizes. You don’t have plenty to choose from. But overall, it’s a great bathroom material.
Marble & Granite
Marble and granite are natural stone varieties. They're more luxurious than ceramic or porcelain and will cost more. Marble is one of the most beautiful materials you’ll set your eyes on. It has gorgeous veining that brings elegance to the space. It comes in many colours and patterns and they’re all unique.
Both granite and marble are porous materials. This means you’ll have to reseal them every few years. But this is an investment and an effort worth making taking into account the other benefits they bring. Granite also has veining but it’s less colourful. Both materials look amazing in bathrooms and can make the space stand out.
Acrylic
Acrylic tops are vanity countertops made from one single acrylic sheet. This sheet is sanitary grade and manufacturers use heating to shape and mould it to the desired shape. Once they shape it, it’s backfilled. The finished product is a very straight and long-lasting countertop.
Acrylic tops come in many size options. They have a brilliant white finish and a surface with no warping or any imperfections. It's also very durable and non-porous, which is very important for a bathroom countertop. You can clean it with gentle chemicals because it’s stain-resistant.
Laminate
These types of countertops are made by bonding together layers of plastic with a particleboard core. This creates a nice solid surface. They usually come in the store as one large piece that gets trimmed to your needs later. This makes them easily customisable. You can add nice custom edges or even some finer designer features. Laminate countertops also work as a nice replacement for a quick bathroom renovation.
Quartz
Quartz countertops are a combination of ground-up quartz and other minerals. They're also blended with pigments and resin and shaped into slabs. They usually have 70-90% quartz inside them. These slabs come in many varieties and if they’re properly made, you can barely distinguish them from natural stone. The only downside of quartz is its price. It's more expensive than some other materials, but it’s an investment worth making.
Concrete
Concrete has a very smooth surface when applied as a countertop material. There are manufacturers that incorporate extra elements inside like tiles, polished glass and even stone. These countertops are expensive but can make a statement inside the bathroom. They're perfect for bathrooms that are used by many people. They can withstand a lot of wear and tear. They're also easy to clean but can be difficult to repair.
Crushed Glass
Although they are relatively new, broken glass countertops are gradually gaining popularity. Manufacturers use recycled shattered glass and acrylic or concrete to make these countertops. Apart from to being aesthetically pleasing, these lovely countertops give the bathroom a contemporary feel. They're usually custom-made, so no two look alike. Depending on the type of glass, they can have a very modern look or a more classic appearance.
