Choosing the Right Materials for Your Bathroom Surfaces: A Guide to Vanities, Cabinets, Bath/Shower, and More

Your bathroom is one of the most frequently used spaces in your home, and designing it with the right materials can significantly enhance both its function and aesthetic appeal. Whether you’re remodeling an existing bathroom or designing a brand-new one, choosing the right materials for surfaces like your vanity, cabinets, bath, shower, flooring, walls, and ceiling is crucial. 

At Select Stone Service, we specialize in providing high-quality materials like granite, quartz, and porcelain, which offer both durability and beauty. In this post, we’ll explore some of the various materials available for your bathroom surfaces, highlighting important factors like water resistance, ease of maintenance, durability, and style.

Key Considerations When Choosing Bathroom Materials

Before diving into specific materials, there are a few factors to consider when selecting the best option for your bathroom. These include:

• Water Resistance & Humidity: The bathroom is one of the most humid areas in your home, so water resistance is essential for avoiding damage. Materials must be able to withstand high moisture levels, particularly around showers, bathtubs, and sinks.
• Reflectivity & Lighting: The way a material reflects light can influence the atmosphere of your bathroom. Glossy finishes can help brighten small spaces, while matte finishes may add warmth and depth.
• Sound Absorption: The materials you choose can also impact how much sound is absorbed in the room. For a quieter bathroom experience, look for materials that help minimize noise.
• Color & Pattern Variety: Different materials offer various color and pattern options. Whether you want bold hues, intricate patterns, or neutral tones, selecting the right material can bring your vision to life.
• Style Compatibility: The style of your bathroom—modern, traditional, minimalist, rustic, etc.—can influence the materials you choose. Some materials lend themselves to certain aesthetics better than others.
• Ease of Installation & Cost: Depending on your budget and timeline, the ease of installation and average cost of materials should be factored in. Some materials are easier to work with than others, which can also impact labor costs.
• Durability & Maintenance: Durability is key, especially in a space that gets heavy use. Consider how long a material will last, its resistance to stains, scratches, and moisture, and how easy it will be to maintain over time.

Material Options for Your Bathroom Surfaces

Let’s explore some of the most popular materials for bathroom surfaces, with a particular focus on the materials Select Stone Service specializes in—granite, quartz, and porcelain.

Granite Surfaces

Best for: Bathroom vanity countertops, flooring, walls, shower surrounds.

Granite is a premium, natural stone that offers incredible durability, timeless beauty, and a luxurious finish. It’s one of the best materials for bathroom vanity countertops, as it’s highly resistant to scratches, heat, and water. It is a great option for those who want an elegant, long-lasting surface.

• Water Resistance & Humidity: Granite is highly resistant to moisture when properly sealed, making it a great choice for the humid bathroom environment. Its dense structure helps it resist water absorption.
• Reflectivity & Lighting: Granite’s natural reflectivity varies depending on the stone’s finish. A polished granite surface can add shine and help reflect light in your bathroom, brightening up the space.
• Style Compatibility: Granite comes in a wide range of colors and patterns, from subtle to dramatic, ensuring you can find the perfect match for your bathroom style.
• Durability & Maintenance: Granite is incredibly durable and can last for decades with proper care. However, it requires periodic sealing to maintain its water resistance and avoid staining.
• Pricing: Granite is considered a premium material, and its cost can vary depending on the specific stone and complexity of installation. 

Quartz Surfaces

Best for: Vanity countertops, walls, and shower surrounds.

Quartz is an engineered stone made from natural quartz mixed with resin and pigments. It’s a popular choice for bathroom countertops because it offers the beauty of natural stone with the added benefits of low maintenance and consistency in pattern and color.

• Water Resistance & Humidity: Quartz is non-porous, meaning it won’t absorb water or bacteria. It’s ideal for a bathroom environment as it’s resistant to mold and mildew growth.
• Reflectivity & Lighting: Quartz surfaces tend to have a consistent, clean look. Polished quartz reflects light effectively, helping small bathrooms feel brighter.
• Style Compatibility: Available in a wide range of colors and patterns, including natural stone looks and bold, modern hues, quartz can suit almost any bathroom design style.
• Durability & Maintenance: Quartz is highly durable and easy to maintain with mild soap and water. It is resistant to scratches, stains, and impacts.
• Pricing: Quartz countertops are an affordable alternative to natural stone without compromising on quality.

Porcelain Surfaces

Best for: Flooring, walls, shower surrounds.

Porcelain is a strong and versatile material often used for bathroom flooring and wall tiles. It’s made from a dense clay fired at high temperatures, making it resistant to moisture, stains, and wear.

• Water Resistance & Humidity: Porcelain is highly water-resistant, making it perfect for bathroom environments. It’s also resistant to mold and mildew, which is crucial in high-humidity areas or rooms with less-than-ideal airflow.
• Reflectivity & Lighting: Porcelain tiles can have a glossy finish, which reflects light beautifully, brightening up the space. Matte and textured porcelain tiles can add depth and warmth to your design.
• Style Compatibility: Available in a vast array of colors, patterns, and finishes, porcelain offers endless design possibilities. It can mimic the look of natural stone or be patterned with artistic designs. 
• Durability & Maintenance: Porcelain is durable, scratch-resistant, and easy to clean, making it ideal for floors, walls, and shower surrounds. It’s also stain-resistant and requires minimal maintenance.
• Pricing: Porcelain slabs are less expensive than natural or engineered stone. They do cost more in installation, though.

Other Bathroom Surface Material Options

Wood Surfaces (New, Engineered Wood, and Upcycled)

Wood creates a warm, natural look in a bathroom, especially for cabinets and vanities. However, it’s not ideal for areas with high moisture unless it’s treated and sealed properly. Engineered wood is more resistant to humidity and can work well in bathrooms, if properly maintained.

• Durability: Solid wood can warp, crack, and stain when exposed to high moisture levels without proper sealing.
• Cost: Wood is less expensive than stone, but costs more than artificial materials for cabinets and vanities.

Tile (Ceramic, Mosaic, etc.)

Tile is a highly versatile material that comes in various forms, including ceramic, mosaic, and porcelain tiles. It is perfect for walls, floors, and shower areas because it is waterproof and easy to clean.

• Durability & Maintenance: Tile is durable, but grout lines can be difficult to maintain and may become chipped or stained over time. Grout may also require periodic resealing in the long-term.
• Price: Tile can vary greatly in cost, depending on type, quality, and quantity.

Glass, Iron, Brass, Stainless Steel, Copper

These metals are typically used as accent features or for hardware like faucets, shower heads, and cabinet handles. Glass can also be used for shower doors and partitions. While they provide a sleek, modern look, they may not be ideal for large surface areas due to maintenance concerns.

Final Thoughts

When it comes to choosing materials for your bathroom surfaces, it’s essential to strike a balance between aesthetics, function, and budget. For areas like vanity countertops, granite, quartz, and porcelain are excellent choices. They offer a mix of durability, beauty, and ease of maintenance. For walls, floors, and other surfaces, porcelain tiles and engineered wood provide versatility and style while handling the humidity and moisture inherent in bathroom environments.

At Select Stone Service, we specialize in granite, quartz, and porcelain, offering high-quality, customizable surfaces that will enhance the look and functionality of your bathroom. If you’re ready to start planning your bathroom remodel, give us a call at (208) 800-4904 or get in touch with us online to learn more about our products and services.

Let Select Stone Service help you create the bathroom of your dreams!