The choices you make for your Chicago bathroom remodel will typically revolve around three parameters:

• Looks
• Function
• Budget

The vanity top selected should flow with the rest of the design, and should be both functional and hygienic (it is the bathroom after all), but is shouldn't break the bank.

Vanity Options For Your Chicago Bathroom Remodel

You have several vanity options available to you, all of which provide an attractive surface. Visit a local kitchen and bath showroom for a better idea of what each one looks and feels like.

Marble. Long viewed as a luxury bath surface, marble is a smooth, natural stone with gentle color variations and patterns. While it looks beautiful, it's important to keep in mind that marble is a softer, porous stone. It is more easily stained or etched - especially when exposed to the oils and chemicals often found in toiletry/hair products, and hard impact and rigorous use can cause dings, divots and chips.

Marble is best for a more mature audience (keep it out of the kids' bathroom!) and typically costs between $50 to $100 per square foot - more if it's a higher-end or unique slab.

Granite. granite superseded marble in many bathroom vanity applications because it's much harder, making it more durable than granite. You can find it in a range of patterns from subtle to bold. Like marble, it's still porous and will need to be sealed to protect it from staining or etching. It is in a similar price-range, with most slabs costing between $50 and $100 per square foot, before labor charges.

Quartz. Quartz is quickly overtaking granite for contemporary homeowners who like the look and feel of marble or granite but want something that is more low-maintenance (i.e. doesn't need to be sealed), won't crack or chip and is also eco-friendly. Remember that marble and granite are both mined in quarries - and the practice, and the labor situation in many countries, is not typically sustainable.

Quartz, on the other hand, is sustainable - made partially from recycled products. Another advantage, many quartz slab options are made right here in the USA. It does run a bit higher in price - ranging from $65-$100 per square foot - but the low-maintenance and longevity factors make the investment worthwhile.

Tile. While most homeowners now prefer slab options to tile (easier to clean and more hygienic), tile options are still available via granite, marble or ceramic. Work with your kitchen designer to choose the largest tile that makes the most sense for the application to minimize grout lines. Tile pricing typically ranges from $10 to $30 per square foot.

Corian. Corian is another manufactured option that has über strength and durability on its side. It comes in a range of colors - some of which resemble natural stone - and is extremely low-maintenance, resistant to both scratches and heat. Prices range from $50 to $75 per square foot.

Visit Kitchens & Baths Unlimited and we'll help you select the best vanity option for your Chicago bathroom remodel.