Choose the Best Countertop Material for Your Bathroom Vanity

When you want to refresh or upgrade your bathroom, it’s possible to replace a bathroom countertop without replacing the vanity. It’s a quick and cost-effective way to customize your bathroom without a major renovation.

• Is your bathroom vanity in good condition? If so, consider replacing just the vanity countertop. If you are only replacing the top, what material do you want the countertop to be?
• Do you want a countertop that is low-maintenance and easy to clean? Or are you willing to regularly re-seal the countertop?
• Is this for your main bathroom used by the entire family or is it a rarely used guest bathroom?
• Does your bathroom vanity have room for a double sink?

The right vanity top can transform your bathroom from an average space to one that has the look and feel of a high-end spa. The best countertop material depends on your needs, your lifestyle and what works best for you. However, when it comes to durability, low maintenance and stain-resistant nature, quartz is considered the best material for bathroom countertops. Determine your budget, get an idea of the layout you want and decide on a style to kick off the project.

Buying a bathroom vanity without a top gives you the opportunity to choose a bathroom counter in a range of materials including solid surfaces, cultured and natural stone.

Marble is available in three forms: cultured, engineered and natural.

Cultured marble is a blended man-made product of crushed stone and thermoplastic resins, as well as pigments, that's cast in a mold and gel-coated to create a hard, durable outer surface. You can request a matte or high-gloss finish marble vanity top.

Engineered marble is another manufactured product that’s made from crushed rock along with resins and dyes. However, it contains a larger proportion of recycled natural stone and a smaller amount of resin, producing a more natural appearance than cultured marble.

Benefits of Cultured and Engineered Marble:

• Nonporous
• Moisture, stain, heat and bacteria-resistant
• Seamless
• Low-maintenance and easy to clean
• Can be shaped and made to order
• Gives a high-end look at a fraction of the cost of natural marble

Average price: $120 - $450

Natural marble vanity tops are classic, stunning additions to any bathroom. It's tough, porous and absorbs liquids and stains easily, making it a high-maintenance choice. Initial sealing and subsequent regular resealing can help curb potential damage.

Benefits of Natural Marble:

• Provides an elegant look
• Distinguished veining
• Natural cooling effect
• Stands up to heat (like a hot curling iron)
• Easy to clean if properly sealed

Average Price: $300 - $2,000

Solid surface countertops are a popular, affordable choice that’s big on looks and value. These manufactured vanity tops are made from acrylic and designed to mimic the appearance of either wood, stone, quartz, granite or marble.

Benefits of a solid surface vanity top:

• Easy to maintain
• Nonporous
• Stain and bacteria-resistant
• Many color and design options
• Easy to repair if damaged

Average Price: $400 - $1,000

Granite bathroom countertops are great since they are durable and stain and bacteria-resistant. They are easy to care for and give a timeless look to any bathroom. They come in a variety of colors and no two granite vanity tops are the same. To extend the life of a granite vanity top, reseal it once every 12 to 18 months.

Benefits of a granite vanity top:

• Scratch, heat and humidity-resistant
• Stain and bacteria-resistant, when sealed
• Exceptionally strong
• Easy to maintain

Average price: $150 - $600

Quartz bathroom countertops are made of quartz particles and polymer resins. They are highly resistant to stains and scratches, making them perfect for a bathroom. While not 100% natural, quartz is harder than granite, making it more durable.

Benefits of a quartz vanity top:

• Solid, nonporous surface
• Low-maintenance and easy to clean 
• Heat, scratch and stain-resistant

Average price: $150 - $650

Vitreous china is two-fold. First, it’s an enamel coating made from powdered glass that’s applied to porcelain or ceramics, making it tougher with a high-gloss shine. Like many other vanity tops, vitreous china is also durable and stain-resistant. Second, the term vitreous china also refers to the finished piece; in this case, a bathroom vanity top.

Benefits:

• Moisture and stain-resistant
• Extremely durable
  

Average price: $250 - $500

Every countertop material has unique cleaning requirements. Generally, it’s best to use gentle cleaners and a soft cloth. You can clean most vanity tops with warm, soapy water.

• Engineered stone: Clean stains using denatured alcohol.
• Granite: Seal your countertops once a year for lighter colors and once every two years for darker colors. Sealing makes cleaning easier and keeps your countertop stain-free and new.
• Natural stone or marble: Never use a scouring pad or brush as it can cause scratches. Clean spills right away, even if it's water. If left for too long, the deposits can leave unsightly watermarks and risk growing mold or mildew.

Now that you understand the types of countertops and variety of options available, it's time to get ready for your next home DIY project. In the end, the best bathroom vanity and countertop comes down to personal preference and your needs. It’s what you like. When you replace a vanity top, you have many options from which to choose. Whatever you choose, we’re here to help. Reach out to Lowe's for a worry-free bathroom installation.