Not a beating like the one your kitchen takes. After all, there’s no searing heat or constant clanging of pots and pans on the surface of your bathroom countertop. Yet, there is a lingering danger that can destroy weaker countertop materials.

It’s called moisture.

From the condensation that forms after a hot, steamy shower to the frequent running of water from the faucet, your bathroom countertop is exposed to moisture all day long. How do you account for the slow damage caused by moisture?

You choose a stone countertop for the bathroom. The question is which stone is right for your bathroom?

Tips for Choosing the Right Stone for Your Bathroom

Because of the constant threat of moisture, we can rule out several types of countertop materials, such as laminate and heavily treated wood. Stone is the best option for a bathroom countertop, but how do you go about choosing the right stone for your bathroom?

Durability

Durability should be at the top of the factors list for selecting the right bathroom countertop stone. The surface must be able to handle prolonged exposure to moisture, as well as endure the lingering carnage left behind by soap, cosmetics, and cleaning chemicals. If you have a second bathroom used primarily by guests, you can get by using a less durable and hence, a less costly bathroom countertop material. For the main home bathroom, go with the toughest stone you can afford.

Cost

For many homeowners, cost plays a pivotal role in determining the type of stone used to design a bathroom countertop. For instance, granite costs less than prefabricated quartz and both materials are costlier than solid surface materials. Although cost is a factor in determining the type of stone used to construct a bathroom countertop, it shouldn’t be the only factor considered when making a buying decision.

Maintenance

Most stone countertops require minimal maintenance, especially when it comes to repairing dents and scratches. Still, you have to consider the impact of cleaners on a stone countertop. Some stones don’t do well when exposed to chemical cleaning agents for extended periods. If you select a stone that possesses tiny nooks and crannies, you have to deal with the effect sealing agents have on the stone.

Let’s look at several different types of stone to help you decide which stone is right for your bathroom.

Granite

As we mentioned, granite costs less than manufactured quartz, but the stone still ranks high in terms of cost. Nonetheless, the cost is well worth it, as  that complements virtually any bathroom décor. The stone works aesthetically well with darker paint colors applied to bathroom walls, as well as granite presents a deeply rich appearancedarker woods used to accentuate a more rustic bathroom ambiance. Highly rugged granite withstands constant exposure not only to condensation, but frequent streams of strong running water. You would have to perform a magic act to dent or scratch granite. The glimmering stone under natural and artificial light comes in a wide variety of colors to give you the ultimate in bathroom design flexibility.

Marble

The polished look of marble makes the stone ideal for homeowners that want their bathrooms to sparkle. With a reflective property greater than the reflective property of granite, marble is available in a wide spectrum of rainbow colors. If you want to add a feminine touch to the bathroom, marble is the go to stone for the countertop. You can also pair the stone with darker colors like black and deep blue. Marble sits at the top of the cost list for bathroom countertop stones, but because of its beautiful appearance, you can recoup the cost of marble and then some when you enjoy an increase in the value of your home.

Slate

Slate is compressed on several layers of clay, which causes the stone to split into thin, wide layers. The formation process of slate makes the stone perfect for bathroom countertop surfaces. You don’t have to worry about moisture pooling at the corners, as well as having to deal with lingering moisture that collects near the sink drain. The finely textured look brings an organic ambiance to the bathroom, which you can enhance by placing wooden accessories near the bathroom countertop. Softer than granite and marble, affordable slate remains one of the more durable stones used to design bathroom countertops.

Soapstone

If you took a chemistry course in high school or college, you probably worked on a lab table that consisted of soapstone. That should give you an idea about how the stone endures being exposed to heat. The question is how soapstone fares against constant exposure to moisture. It’s a highly dense material, which means the stone is an excellent choice for designing a bathroom countertop. Moisture cannot penetrate the surface of soapstone and maintenance of the stone typically requires only a few swipes of a dry cloth to soak up any residual moisture in the sink and along the edges of the countertop. Color options are limited for the stone, with black and charcoal gray by far the most common choices.

Limestone

Because of its more casual appearance, you might not consider limestone to be in the mix for the right bathroom countertop stone. The sandy stone quickly absorbs moisture to make it a viable option for homeowners that operate on tight home improvement budgets. However, the absorption capability of the stone means you must pay attention to cleaning and maintaining the surface of the countertop. You can buy a limestone countertop that receives a matte finish to remove most, if not all of the primitive look. Certain minerals like iron can change the color of limestone to a faded red or yellow, which can dramatically transform the ambiance of your bathroom.

Spend the time you need to choose the right stone for your bathroom. A rush to a decision might turn out to be a costly decision that you regret for years to come.

Pebbles

Natural Pebble Stone Mosaic as long as its stones are levelled and well-sorted, is a perfect alternative for regular patterns and can be applied both on walls and floors. Crucial factor that needs extra attention is whether all pebbles are the same in height, so that no stone rises above the other. Apart from that, the mesh onto which pebbles are attached cannot absorb any moisture. Natural Pebbles on a vinyl mesh are easy to install, and there are a lot of variants to choose from: completely flattened and cutted, slightly convex, or even 3D Pebbles suitable only for walls.

Onyx

Onyx is a semi-precious stone that is transparent enough to let the light come through. Appropriate installation of this type of stone may result in one bathroom having two faces: first being the regular and warm environment when the stones are not lightened, and the second one being a spectacular and atmospheric place when the lights (e.g. LED bars) that are installed underneath onyx are turned on. Onyx is the only stone that allows to create 2in1 interiors within a friendly budget.