A bathroom countertop material has to stand up to water, soap, alcohol-base liquids, cleaners, toothpaste, and cosmetics. Most bathroom countertops are surfaced with one of the following five materials:

Plastic Laminate
Because plastic laminate combines value with good performance, it is the most widely used countertop material in bathrooms, just as it is in kitchens. Laminate countertops clean easily and resist water and stains. On the negative side, they can burn, wear thin, and dull over time. Hard blows can chip or dent the plastic, and there’s no remedy short of replacement. Laminate is available in a wide range of colors, patterns, and textures. Do-it-yourselfers can buy prefabricated laminate vanity tops or have them made to order with a hole for the sink cut where needed. Installing the finished countertop is fairly easy.

Tile
Ceramic tile creates an attractive, durable finish for countertops. Tile is available in a broad range of colors, designs, and textures. Grout lines that trap dirt and encourage mildew are a drawback, but new grouts and sealers help alleviate these problems. Getting professional results with tile is a challenge for do-it-yourselfers. Using pregrouted tile sheets, or sheets of mosaic tile on a mesh backing, makes it easier to space tiles evenly.

Solid-Surfacing
Solid-surfacing countertops offer many of the advantages of stone with few of the drawbacks. Cast from an acrylic resin, solid-surface material demands little maintenance and is extremely durable. Scratches, abrasions, even minor burns can be repaired with fine-grade sandpaper. Solid-surface material comes in flat sheets and in ready-formed countertops with integrated sinks. Some manufacturers require that their products be professionally installed.

Quartz-Surfacing
Made from crushed quartz mixed with pigments and binder resins, quartz-surfacing often mimics granite but also features intense hues and consistent patterns not found in stone. In addition, this material is durable and nonporous; it resists scratches, burns, and stains; and it does not need periodic sealing the way natural stone does.

Natural Stone
Though marble and granite are beautiful, they’re also expensive. Marble stains easily. Granite shrugs off most stains, except from grease. If a solid sheet is beyond your budget, consider granite or marble tiles. Cultured marble is less expensive and is made from real chips of natural marble embedded in plastic. It’s available in sheet form, with or without a washbasin molded into it, and in standard counter dimensions. Cultured marble is easy to clean, but once scratched, it cannot be resurfaced.