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Since most countertops are custom made, you can be very creative with your specific bathroom décor. There are a multitude of colors, patterns, and materials to pick from. Not all the materials work well with condensation and water. The best options are marble, granite, ceramic, porcelain tiles, solid surfaces, and laminate surfacing.
Plastic laminate is available in virtually any color and texture. It is the most commonly used and least expensive. There are four major manufacturers of plastic laminate: Wilsonart, Formica, Nevamar, and Pionite. They each offer over a hundred colors and patterns. In fashion right now, is having your countertop designed in your own custom color, texture, and style. This can get costly though, so be prepared if you go this route. Laminate is very easy to clean since it has a smooth surface. The average cost is between $25 and $50 per linear foot installed.
Ceramic and porcelain tile would be the most versatile material to use for your countertop. You can create specific looks, such as contemporary, retro, traditional, rustic, country, and more. The bad part of using tile means you will have to deal with grout lines. This requires regular maintenance and much scrubbing, but the tiles themselves are actually easy to clean. Cost is $50 to $80 per linear foot, installed. Plain-colored tiles cost from $2 to $40 per tile with hand-painted tiles running from $5 to $75.
Corian and solid surfacing is made of either a pure acrylic product or a polyester-acrylic mix. The most common is Dupont's Corian, which is 100% synthetic. You can get Corian from other manufacturers also in a wide range of colors and textures: Wilsonart, Formica, and Avenite are a few. You can get Corian in solid color, but most will have flecks that resemble real stone, which will cost more. Cost is $75 to $150 a linear foot, installed.
Granite slabs hold their weight and look great, but cost the most. If you truly want the look of granite, but can't handle the cost, try opting for granite tiles. The costs will vary quite a bit according to the type, quality, finished edge, and availability at the time of purchase. Cost varies from $75 to $200 a linear foot, installed.
Composite stone is a rival to granite and has become very fashionable. It is a synthetic stone composite made of 90% quartz particles and 10% acrylic or epoxy binder. Some of these look like natural stone, but are not identifiable. Some look so much like granite that you cannot tell the difference. Since composite stone is man-made, you will not get the variation you do with granite or marble, and it will not require sealing. Silestone, Okite, CaesarStone and DuPont's Zodiaq are the main manufacturers and all use the same process. The differences in the manufacturers are the colors and textures offered. The four companies together offer more than 130 countertop choices. Cost is $110 to $250 a linear foot, installed
Finally, although wood is attractive and versatile, it is very vulnerable to water damage and is hard to clean - especially in the bathroom. If you really want a wood countertop in your bathroom be sure it's well sealed with polyurethane or marine varnish. Note: extra care should be taken to seal around the edges of plumbing fixtures so standing water can't seep in and cause wood rot. Cost is $25 and $40 a linear foot, installed.
