Choosing A Countertop for Your Bathroom Vanity
When it comes to designing your bathroom, one of the most important elements to consider is the vanity countertop. Not only does it serve as a functional surface for your daily routine, but it’s also an important aesthetic piece of your bathroom. With so many colors and materials available on the market, it can be overwhelming to decide which countertop material to choose.
To help you make an informed decision, we’ve broken down our beautiful stone options for your bathroom vanity countertop to help you understand their unique features and benefits.
GET TO KNOW THE STONE
Most of our vanities give you several vanity countertop options to choose from, while some collections offer a specific type of countertop in a specific color. Many of our collections have the following top options: Artic Fall Solid Surface, Carrara Marble, Cala Blue Silestone Quartz, Charcoal Soapstone Silestone Quartz, Eternal Jasmine Pearl Silestone Quartz, Eternal Marfil Silestone Quartz, Ethereal Noctis Silestone Quartz, Eternal Serena Silestone Quartz, Expo Grey Silestone Quartz, and White Zeus Silestone Quartz. These options are 3cm and all come pre-drilled for an 8-inch widespread faucet (not included) as well as rectangular, undermount porcelain sinks.
Let’s look at the material types and go through the differences in their composition, pros and cons, as well as maintenance.
Carrara Marble
Carrara marble is known for its beautiful and timeless appearance. It can add a luxurious and sophisticated look to your bathroom vanity, enhancing its overall aesthetics. Known for its distinct, soft gray veining on a white background, Carrara marble has been used for centuries in various applications.
Pros:
- Elegant and luxurious appearance
- Unique and natural veining patterns
- High heat resistance
Cons:
- Porous and can be susceptible to stains
- Requires regular sealing and maintenance
- Less durable compared to quartz and solid surface
Carrara marble has good heat resistance, which means it can withstand hot hair tools (like curling irons or straighteners) without damage to the surface, making it perfect for bathroom countertops. However, marble is a porous material, which means it can absorb liquids and be susceptible to staining. Because of this, marble surfaces generally require regular sealing to protect against stains. The frequency of sealing depends on the amount of use the countertop receives, but it's typically recommended to reseal marble countertops every 6-12 months.
For cleaning, marble countertops should be cleaned regularly with a mild, pH-neutral cleaner and a soft cloth or sponge. Avoid using abrasive or acidic cleaners that can damage the surface of the marble and be sure to wipe up spills immediately to prevent staining. Marble is sensitive to acidic substances like lemon juice, vinegar, and some cleaning products. Avoid using these substances directly on marble countertops.
While it is a durable option, Carrara marble is a relatively soft stone compared to other countertop materials like quartz or solid surface. Marble is susceptible to scratching, chipping, and etching from acidic substances, and it requires regular sealing and maintenance to protect against staining and damage. To keep your surface looking its best, avoid dragging or dropping sharp or heavy objects across and on the countertop.
Quartz
Quartz is a popular choice for bathroom countertops due to its durability, versatility, and low-maintenance characteristics. Quartz countertops are engineered stone that are made by combining natural quartz crystals with resins and pigments. They’re designed to mimic the look of natural stone, but with enhanced durability and low maintenance.
Pros:
- Extremely durable and resistant to scratches, stains, and low heat
- Non-porous, which makes it resistant to bacteria and mold growth
- Wide range of colors and patterns available
- Does not require sealing or regular maintenance
- More predictable patterns since they’re manmade
Cons:
- Not completely heat resistant and can be damaged by excessive heat
- May not have the same unique and natural veining patterns as natural stone
Quartz is a great option if you’re looking for a low maintenance countertop option. Unlike natural marble stone, quartz countertops are manmade. The resin used in the manufacturing process makes quartz countertops highly resistant to stains and typically do not require sealing, as they are non-porous. Quartz is also an extremely durable material that is resistant to scratches, stains, and impact. It is less likely to chip or crack compared to natural stones like marble or granite, making it ideal for high-traffic areas like the bathroom.
Cleaning the surface is a breeze – these countertops can be easily cleaned with mild soap and water or a quartz-specific cleaner, but even though they are incredibly durable, avoid using abrasive cleaners or scouring pads that can scratch the surface.
Solid Surface
Solid surface countertops are made from a composite material consisting of acrylic or polyester resins mixed with minerals. They are known for their versatility and can be custom-made to fit any shape or design, making them a popular choice for modern bathroom vanities.
Pros:
- Non-porous, which makes it resistant to stains and bacteria growth
- Can be seamlessly integrated with sinks for a sleek and integrated look
- Can be easily repaired if scratched or damaged
Cons:
- Less heat resistant compared to other materials and can be damaged by excessive heat
- May not have the same natural and authentic appearance as marble or quartz
- Less durable compared to quartz, and can be susceptible to scratches and chips
Solid surface countertops are non-porous and easy to clean with mild soap and water or a solid surface cleaner, but avoid using abrasive cleaners that can scratch the surface. One of the advantages of solid surface countertops is that they can be easily repaired if scratched or damaged. Minor scratches on matte finishes can be buffed out with a fine abrasive pad or sandpaper, and deeper scratches or chips can usually be repaired by a professional. It's best to purchase a repair kit if your surface is glossy to properly restore the look and integrity. Solid surface countertops are generally less heat resistant compared to quartz or marble, so it's important to use trivets or hot pads to protect the surface from direct heat exposure.
Overall, it's important to follow the manufacturer's recommendations and guidelines for maintenance and care of your specific countertop material. Regular cleaning, avoiding harsh cleaners or acidic substances, and using protective measures like sealing or heat pads can help extend the lifespan and beauty of your bathroom vanity countertop, regardless of the material you choose.
OUR COUNTERTOP CHOICES
Now that you have a better understanding of the types of materials, we’ll take a closer look at our specific countertop options.
We’re a proud partner of Cosentino Silestone surfaces. They manufacture hybrid surfaces of premium minerals, quartz and recycled materials and produce most of our countertop choices.
For the majority of our collections, you’ll find the following Silestone surfaces available to purchase for your vanity: Carrara Marble, Cala Blue Quartz, Charcoal Soapstone Quartz, Eternal Jasmine Pearl Quartz, Eternal Marfil Quartz, Ethereal Noctis Quartz, Eternal Serena Quartz, Grey Expo Quartz, and White Zeus Quartz. These options are cut to size to hold a rectangular undermount sink (included) and an 8-inch widespread faucet (not included).
Some collections have integrated sinks as their top options. Our integrated options are manufactured by Marmite, a European company known for their unique solid surface products. Made up of a mixture of crushed dolomite stone and resin, these solid surface composite stone countertops are designed with a seamless sink integration for a sleek and modern look. Not only are they unique and easy to clean, they’re also highly durable, impact resistant, and due to the non-porous surface, they’re also antibacterial. In some cases, these integrated sinks can have different features (for example, offset sinks, oversized sinks and even slope sinks). Our color choices for the composite stone sinks include: Dusk Grey Glossy, Glossy White, Charcoal Black and Modern Grey.
COLOR CHOICES
When picking out the perfect top for your vanity, the coloring can make all the difference. Just like paint colors, countertop tones can enhance the overall space and set the mood for your bathroom’s style. Let’s look at the different colorings for our countertop options:
Arctic Fall Solid Surface
This man-made option showcases a beautiful white color base with gray “veining” throughout. The finish is smooth and glossy, and it’s a great choice for those who love the look of marble but prefer a lower maintenance countertop.
Carrara Marble
Elegant and luxurious marble elevates any space. Since it’s a natural stone, Carrara Marble’s classic gray veining patterns are unique to each countertop. Our Carrara Marble features a smooth, glossy finish.
Cala Blue Quartz
A nod to the ocean waters, Cala Blue brings a modern blue/gray hue with light speckles in a modern suede finish.
Charcoal Soapstone Quartz
This dark gray suede-finish quartz is inspired by soapstone, but much more durable. The deep tone makes a beautiful statement with its light colored, thin veining.
Eternal Jasmine Pearl Quartz
With swirls of creamy beige tones and gray veins, this polished quartz gives the feel of a white limestone but with an elevated, traditional style for countertops.
Eternal Marfil Quartz
Orange-toned veining on a polished cream-colored background creates a warm and serene finish to your space.
Ethereal Noctis Quartz
Beautiful black veining and gray details add contrast and elegance against the off-white tone of this countertop.
Eternal Serena Quartz
A polished, gray stone with fine, white lines throughout, Serena is a classic color combination with sophistication.
Grey Expo Quartz
This polished option features a true gray color tone with speckles of darker grays, making it a timeless choice for your bathroom.
White Zeus Quartz
You can’t go wrong with this classic, white polished stone!
Dusk Grey Glossy
With a slightly blue tone, Dusk Grey is a beautiful, bold option for your integrated sink.
Glossy White
Just as it’s described, our Glossy White composite stone is a pure white with a glossy finish.
Charcoal Black
This black composite stone features light gray speckling in a suede finish.
Modern Grey
Featuring a unique suede finish, Modern Grey is a cool gray tone that adds a luxurious look to your vanity.
While there are so many beautiful possibilities with your new countertop, the perfect option should reflect your daily use, design style, and of course your budget. If you’re unsure of which countertop you should choose, shop our collection of stone samples to ensure that you’re selecting the color and material that matches the aesthetic of your dream bathroom.
