4 Vanity Tops That Say 2018

A place for you to refresh yourself, unwind and have a break – the bathroom. It is so important to choose the right material for your vanity top or bathroom countertop to ease your day as the wrong material can cause you major inconvenience. Bathroom counters don’t have to be boring.

So much emphasis is placed on kitchen counters – their colours, designs, materials and so forth, that bathroom counters take a back seat. If you are new to the field, it can be a bit of a headache because there are too many options on the market in various prices and styles. Whether you go with natural or man-made stone is really up to you, and will largely depend on your preferences and budget. Making a good decision starts with knowing what is available.

But because bathroom surfaces typically get lesser scratches, heat, and stains than those in the kitchen, you only need to master the pros and cons of each material to know what to pick, on top of your favourite colour. Fortunately, the top bathroom countertop materials on the market combine aesthetics and functionality in equal measure.

Related Articles: How to Choose the Right Countertop Thickness for Your Home.

Let’s take a closer look at some of the most sought-after bathroom surfaces for the upcoming year.

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Granite (Natural Stone)

 One of the hardest known minerals, granite is the first choice of natural rock when a combination of durability and aesthetics are required. This unique and elegant natural stone is one of the oldest, hardest, and strongest stones available. A truly beautiful natural stone with hundreds of mesmerizing colours and patterns to choose from, such as Rustic Yellow and Brazilian Blue Pearl.

Pros

• Scratch-proof. It will not scratch even when cut on. Hard things such as stainless steel appliances and keys won’t scratch it either.

• Low maintenance. Granite vanity tops are not only long-lasting, but they are also easy to care for. They offer the perfect combination of aesthetics and durability. With proper sealing, granite will still look brand new for many years.

• Non-absorbent. Granite will not absorb water, toiletries or any detergent you usually use in bathroom for daily cleaning or washing.

Cons

• One of the most expensive countertop choices. It is definitely not the most budget-friendly countertop material. In fact, it’s on the higher end of the scale. However, you do get what you pay for because of its durability over a long time.

• A professional installer required. This may not be a drawback if you were never considering a do-it-yourself bathroom remodel. Granite is a heavy material and certain experience and skills are needed to get the installation perfectly done with warranty.

Related Articles: 10 Natural Stone Blogs You Must Follow! (2018)

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Marble (Natural Stone)

 For decades the elegance of marble has been a symbol of wealth and status. But thanks to improvements in its production, this rare beauty has become slightly more affordable. Marble stone is formed from limestone, superheated to form its unique crystalline structure with various colours on the market.

Pros

• High shine matte finish. Marble is a very beautiful stone and inherently classic. Its white brightness cannot be matched by any other material.

• Long-lasting. With proper protection and maintenance, marble can last for at least five to ten years looking new.

• Distinction. Man-made countertop materials always fail to imitate the vein patterns of marble. Since marble was created through a natural process, each piece is unique in appearance.

Cons

• Less scratch-resilient. Due to the soft nature of the material, it is more prone to scratching. It is fine for bathroom usage as there are no heavy loads or moving of things on the surface.

• High maintenance. When strong and concentrated liquid is spilled on the marble surface and left unattended for a long time, it will be difficult to remove the stains. So professionally sealing the surface upon installation is essential to help prevent this from happening.

• It is costly. As compared to other man-made stones, marble is still selling at higher prices for its beauty and quality.

Related Articles: 4 Quick Tips to Maintain Marble Surfaces

Solid Surface (Man-made Stone)

While there are many options for countertop materials, solid surface counters are superb for updating the counters of your bathroom. They are lesser known than some natural stone options, but they offer great potential. Solid surface materials are made of acrylic resin and crushed stone … and you’ll find a wide range of solid colors and subtle patterns that pair especially well with contemporary decor.

Pros

• Lower cost. One of the biggest advantages of solid surface counters is the price. This material tends to be more affordable than natural stone.

• Non-porous. Solid surface is non-porous, meaning that it won’t absorb liquids that will cause stains or other damages. It is virtually impervious to staining and moisture damage.

• Scratch-resistant. One of the biggest advantages of solid surfaces is that they are significantly more durable and require substantially less maintenance than natural stone surfaces. A quick sanding job will remove the scratches.

Cons

• Vulnerable to chemicals. These vanity tops are not immune to strong chemicals such as detergents and cleaners. If this surface is exposed to these harsh chemicals, they can easily damage it. Therefore, it is important to keep any harsh chemicals away from these bathroom counters.

• Requires professional installation. One downside of solid surfaces is that it is not easy to obtain source materials. You must be an authorized retailer to purchase solid surface and it requires tools and expertise to install.

• Heavier than other bases. These units are significantly heavier than other materials such as marble. This can be a challenge if you need a large base for a difficult to get into the shower on higher floors.

Related Articles: Proper Care and Maintenance of Solid Surface Countertops.

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Quartz (Man-made Stone)

Quartz is a very attractive-looking manufactured product. The manufacturing process allows a much wider range of colors than the others. It is a relatively newer material, but it has a loyal following because of its many good qualities.

Pros

• Hygienic. It will not harbor bacteria or viruses in the humid bathroom. You can always be confident that you are getting your quartz countertop absolutely clean, and that’s a great benefit in the bathroom.

• Toughness. Engineered with cutting-edge technology, the quartz surface will not chip or crack as easily as natural stones.

• Easy to clean. Quartz does not absorb stains or liquid that quickly. Hence, wiping off stains and smudges is almost effortless.

Cons

• Expensive. Probably the first thing anyone will notice is the price tag. Nevertheless, its durability, ease of maintenance and hygiene benefits make up for its price.

• Artificial look. Quartz can be molded and blended in an attempt to mimic natural stone but does not have the same natural look as slabs of stone. When countertop pieces are joined together, seams are evident, although they can be partially masked with darker colors.

Related Article: Pros and Cons of Quartz Countertops – All You Need to Know

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Which natural stone is actually the best option for the bathroom countertop? Check out this to know 8 Pros and Cons of materials used in making the countertop.

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