Once upon a time, most bathroom countertops were fashioned from the same boring, unattractive materials. Plastic laminate, ceramic tile, and early forms of engineered stone were commonly installed in residential bathrooms for decades. Today, however, homeowners have far more (and far better!) countertop options to choose from.
At Wholesale Granite Direct, we offer an extensive selection of natural stone products to meet the design and performance needs of discerning homeowners throughout the Dallas metro area. Below, we’ve outlined our picks for the best stone countertops for bathrooms to help you determine which type of stone is right for your home.
Soapstone
As one of the most nonporous natural stones on the market, soapstone is a great option for homeowners who want durable, low-maintenance countertops. Beyond its virtually nonexistent absorption rate, soapstone also offers a unique and warm visual appeal. Its design versatility allows it to complement almost any interior decor, from sleek and modern to eclectic to traditional. Benefits of soapstone bathroom countertops include:
- Low maintenance. Because soapstone is nonporous, it does not require periodic resealing like other types of natural stone. It’s also very easy to clean with just a bit of soap and warm water and practically impervious to staining.
- Durability. Soapstone isn’t as hard as other types of stone like granite, which makes it less brittle and more pliable. As a result, this type of stone won’t crack under weight or unexpected stress.
- Heat resistance. Soapstone is highly heat resistant, which means it can withstand direct contact with hot styling tools without incurring damage. However, it’s never a bad idea to protect soapstone countertops from high heat with silicone resting mats.
Marble
Marble is widely considered one of the most beautiful natural stones on the market, and that’s one of the primary reasons it’s so popular among discerning homeowners. In addition to its elegant, timeless aesthetic, marble offers a range of benefits as a bathroom countertop material, including:
- Durability. In comparison to non-natural countertop materials, marble is more resistant to scratching and cracking. However, it can be prone to etching, depending on how well you care for it.
- Design versatility. Because marble features a range of neutral hues and visually appealing, multicolored veins, it’s a perfect complement to a wide range of decor styles and architectural designs.
- Longevity. When properly cared for, marble countertops can last upward of 100 years. In fact, they’ll likely outlive the structure of your home!
- Heat resistance. Marble is fire and burn resistant. However, it’s always a good idea to use trivets or heat-protecting mats when placing hot objects directly on the countertop.
Granite
Granite takes the cake as the most popular type of natural stone for countertops — and for many good reasons. Not only does granite offer timeless visual appeal, but it’s also highly durable and long lasting. The many benefits of granite bathroom countertops include:
- Durability. Like other types of natural stone, granite is quite hard, which makes it great at resisting scratching, etching, and other forms of damage.
- Low maintenance. Because granite is a more porous stone, it does require periodic resealing. However, you should only need to reseal countertops every 5 to 15 years. Granite is also easy to clean and only requires daily wiping with warm, soapy water. If you prefer, you can also use a dedicated granite cleaner to maintain the stone’s luster over time.
- Design versatility. Because granite features a range of neutral hues, it fits seamlessly in virtually any interior design.
- Lifespan. Like the other types of natural stone in this list, granite countertops can last well over 100 years with proper maintenance.
Slate
While granite and quartz countertops are currently on trend, not every homeowner prefers to follow the crowd. If you fall into that category and are on the hunt for unconventional countertops, slate offers a number of benefits for the modern bathroom vanity. They include:
- Easy maintenance. Slate countertops require periodic resealing to maintain their finish, but doing so is so simple you can do it on your own. Regularly cleaning slate countertops with commercially available granite cleaner will also help ensure they maintain a lasting, aesthetic finish.
- Impressive durability. Slate has long been one of the most durable building materials available. In fact, it was long used as a roofing material in centuries-old German architecture! Because slate is fully fire resistant and can withstand considerable impacts, it not only lasts a long time but will also stand up to heavy use over prolonged periods.
- Water resistance. Slate has a water absorption rate of less than 0.5%, which means its less porous than other types of natural stone. That said, periodic resealing is still required to protect the stone from damage.
- Visual appeal. If you’re going for a more rustic, unconventional design, slate delivers. Dark slate countertops provide a sharp contrast against lighter walls and offer a unique aesthetic when compared to more popular natural stone materials like granite and marble.
- Affordability. If you’re not thrilled with the expense associated with marble or granite, slate might be your best natural stone countertop option. Because many slate quarries in North and Central America operate under NAFTA, you can typically acquire slate at a very reasonable price.
Limestone
Limestone is a more unconventional bathroom countertop material, and as a result, it’s not the most popular in residential construction. That said, if you’re looking for a unique design, limestone — and it’s cousin travertine — can deliver. It’s important to note, though, that if you’re concerned about permeability, limestone may not be your best bathroom countertop option.
Because travertine and limestone are more porous than other types of natural stone, countertops fashioned from these materials require repeated resealing. But if you’re not opposed to performing routine maintenance in the name of aesthetics, limestone shouldn’t be ruled out as an option. Benefits of limestone bathroom countertops include:
- Timeless visual appeal. Limestone offers one of the most classic, timeless aesthetics of all types of natural stone. Just as marble fits seamlessly into any interior design, so do limestone and travertine. Plus, these types of stones feature numerous natural hues, making them a perfect complement to any type of decor.
- Affordability. As one of the less pricey natural stone options, limestone is a great option if you’re looking for a timeless aesthetic but need to stay within a relatively restrictive budget.
- Long lifespan. When properly cared for, limestone and travertine countertops can last up to 100 years, if not more. They might even outlast the structure of your home!
- Heat resistance. Unlike certain other types of natural stone, limestone and travertine offer impressive heat resistance. They can withstand direct contact with hot styling tools without sustaining any damage. However, protecting your countertops from direct contact with silicone pads is always recommended.
When you’re in the market for natural stone countertops in the Dallas–Fort Worth metro area, Wholesale Granite Direct is the number one choice. Visit our showroom today, or contact our team online to learn more about your natural stone options and how we can help you transform your home interior!
