While there is a multitude of worktop materials available in the market, choosing the best one can be difficult task. Therefore, it’s recommended to understand the pros and cons of all these worktop products to find the one that suits your specific requirements, whether it may be for a residential or commercial project.
Want to upgrade your dull bathroom worktops? Well, finding an excellent looking countertop could be a challenging task and it may be expensive too. With so many bathroom worktops available in the market, it becomes overwhelming if you’re not sure about your preference and how much money to spend on a material.
The most familiar bathroom worktops are marble, granite, quartz, porcelain, ceramics and limestone. Not only that these stone products look great, but they are also very durable, bringing great value in the long term.
But to select the best worktop material for your bathroom, you may need to consider the benefits and downsides of each type, to see how a given product withstands wear and tear according to how much use it will receive.
Here are different bathroom worktop materials, along with their pros and cons, to help you understand which one is the best for your project:
Granite
Bathroom floor and stairs in Lennon Granite
This natural stone worktop comes in an infinite range of patterns that vary from subtle to bold. It is one of the premier natural stones available in the market. The elegant designs on the surface of granite are likely to add a dramatic touch to a given space while enhancing the resale value of a property. In addition, granite is an incredibly dense stone, which means it is very difficult to get it chipped or cracked.
Benefits:
- Luxurious designer appearance
- Exotic looks provided by granites from remote places on earth
- 100% natural
- Durable and can withstand heat and humidity in a bathroom
- Stain-resistant, water-resistant, scratch-resistant and easy to maintain
- After sealing, the surface needs minimal upkeep
Downsides:
- Extra-large pieces can make the project costly, due to the weight, transport and installation methods for this stone
- Only a professional craftsman can install it
Marble
Argos Marble wall cladding with a book-matched design
From immemorial times, marble worktops have been symbolic of wealth and luxury. This timeless natural stone comes in many variants. However, its white option with grey veins is the most popular out of all the different varieties. Marble is available in many different colours, patterns and finishes. In addition, there are different slab sizes which according to each block of marble, can adapt to any project.
Benefits:
- Strong and long-lasting
- It can withstand most dents and chips
- It looks gorgeous with almost every interior style
- It can be polished, leathered or honed depending on the preference of a homeowner
- After prolonged use, the fascia of natural marble can be re-polished, bringing its original sheen back
Downsides:
- Exotic marbles can be expensive
- It requires sealing every 18-24 months to preserve its natural finish
- Its surface is porous, and it may etch when exposed acidic substances (which may occur mostly in kitchens rather than bathrooms.)
Quartz
Quartz bathroom worktops are engineered from the most abundant mineral found in nature. Not only that, but natural quartz stone is amongst the strongest stones on earth. These countertops contain approximately 90% natural quartz, and the other 10% consists of resins, coloured pigments and recycled materials. The best thing about quartz is that it mimics natural stones like granite and marble without any flaws. If you are looking for a bathroom worktop material that requires very little maintenance, quartz is perfect. In addition, quartz doesn’t require sealants and it can be cleaned with household products.
Benefits
- Non-porous surface
- It doesn’t require sealing to preserve is finish
- Available in a wide range of colour and natural stone designs
- Resistant to bacteria, stains, scratches and moisture
- Branded quartz comes with available warranty from its manufacturers
- Easy to clean and maintain
- It can be customised as per the project’s requirements
Downsides
- Some quartz stones can be costlier than marble and granite, but this depends on the look and on its natural stone comparison too.
- Dark Honed or textured finishes may show smudges, fingerprints. Therefore, these may require frequent cleaning and wiping to avoid grease marks, glass marks, etc.
- It can be damaged with excessive heat, as its resin could melt. Most high-quality quartz can withstand up to 150C.
Laminate
Available in several colours and styles, Laminate bathroom worktops are affordable and considered to be a good option due to its non-porous nature. These countertops are created from the plastic surfaces and further pressure-bonded to form a plywood base or particleboard. With the latest printing technologies, the laminates can be designed to look like realistic natural stones or in wood-like finishes.
Benefits
- Economical and affordable
- Easy to maintain
- Available in different thick and thin formats
Downsides
- It could become dull and thin over time
- Damages on laminates cannot be repaired, so it needs replacement in case of any damage
- It is not immune to scratches and edge-chipping
- Prolonged exposure to heat, moisture or humidity can cause peeling, chipping, scratches or detachment
- It gets damaged over time when installed in humid areas such as bathrooms
Concrete
Concrete bathroom worktops are also inexpensive, like laminate worktops. This material can be made bespoke, to fit into any bathroom style and can even be made in any desired colour. Therefore, it gives a massive space for artistic and creative creations.
Benefits
- It is a natural worktop material
- Eco-friendly and can be recycled
Downsides
- Installation and fabrication are complex, and it requires dedicated professionals for Concrete surfaces
- Requires regular sealing and waxing to remain protected against stains and moisture. Even once sealed, Concrete may stain.
- Concrete worktops are heavy, so they require additional support from base cabinets or vanity
- It may develop hairline cracks or become chipped
Porcelain
Bathroom worktops, cladding and flooring in Dekton Aga
Porcelain is also a very practical bathroom countertop compared to material such as natural concrete. It is made from clay and raw materials under high temperature and pressure conditions. Because it is heated and pressed in industrial conditions, it results in ultracompact surfaces, impervious to liquids and other substances. The new generation of porcelains known as ‘sintered stones’, offer incredibly realistic designs with marble-effect, concrete-effect, and other natural looks.
Benefits:
- Porcelain is compatible with humid or moist bathroom environments
- Lightweight
- Available in a wide range of designs and styles
- Suitable for indoors and outdoors
- It can take up to 300C of heat
- Can withstand stains, heat, moisture and scratches
Downsides:
- It is prone to chipping and cracking
- Exotic designs may be expensive
- Needs replacement when a tile is damaged
Published by Jesus Alberto Mouzo on February 21, 2020
