5 Laundry Room Countertop Options

One of the appeals of a fully built-out laundry room is countertop space. If you have ever sorted and folded clothes on beds, tables, and other makeshift areas, you will know the convenience of a large, smooth surface dedicated to only one thing: clothing. But which countertop material is best for your laundry room?

	Laundry Operations	Durability	Cost
Laminate	Smooth surface, good for folding	May chip	Low cost
Solid Surface	Smooth but not for ironing	Can melt	Mid-range cost
Tile	Not smooth; has seams	Heat-proof	Lowest cost
Quartz	Flat, smooth	Heat-proof	Highest cost
Wood	Smooth if finished; grainy if not finished	Can splinter, chip	Low cost

Laminate Countertops

Clothing Operations

Smooth and mostly seamless, laminate countertops work well for sorting and folding clothing. The only seams you will encounter with laminate countertops is where the counters make a 90-degree turn.

Durability

Laminate on countertops can chip, peel, and flake. Never cut directly on the laminate. Hot irons may singe the laminate.

Appearance

Laminate countertops are available in a wide range of colors and finishes, from solids to faux stone. Premium, designer-grade laminate has sharper graphics.

Pricing

For the budget-sensitive laundry room remodel, laminate countertops are a wise choice. Laminate can be one of the least expensive countertop material.

Longevity

Laminate countertops have a limited lifespan, especially with hard use. Colors may fade. Expect to change out your laminate counters at least once with moderate use.

Solid Surface Countertops

Clothing Operations

With smooth surfaces and invisible, flat seams, solid surface countertops provide a reliable space for most clothing operations, except ironing.

Durability

Solid surface is made from polyester or acrylic. Acrylic countertops can be damaged by solvents such as glues, ketones, acetones, and thinners. Solid surface scratches relatively easily, but scratches can be sanded out with fine-grit sandpaper. Hot irons may melt solid surface materials.

Appearance

Solid surface comes in a wide range of solid colors or stone looks. While solid surface's faux stone does not have the depth of quartz countertops, still it is reasonably attractive and home buyers tend to covet solid surfaces.

Pricing

Solid surface is a moderately priced countertop material. Rarely is solid surface installed by the homeowner, so labor costs must be figured into the total price.

Longevity

Solid surface materials last long, and scratches can be sanded down numerous times, extending the lifespan of solid surface.

Ceramic Tile Countertops

Clothing Operations

Some homeowners may find ceramic tile countertops' numerous seams and grouting annoying when dealing with clothing. However, as long as you are doing nothing that requires a perfectly smooth surface, ceramic tile can provide an adequate surface.

Durability

Ceramic tile is durable, especially with hot irons. But ceramic tile also will easily crack or chip.

Appearance

While ceramic tile counters are utilitarian, they have limited aesthetic value for many homeowners.

Pricing

Ceramic tile is one of the cheapest laundry room countertop materials, particularly since do-it-yourselfers can install their own tile countertops.

Longevity

Well-maintained ceramic tile countertops can last for decades. Do not store heavy items like large containers of laundry detergent or irons in cabinets above tile countertops.

Quartz/Engineered Stone Countertops

Clothing Operations

Quartz, or engineered, stone countertops are excellent for working with clothing. This material is flat, smooth, and seam-free.

Durability

Quartz countertops are highly durable. Even though they are created from engineered stone, they behave much like natural stone—and with the durability of natural stone.

Appearance

Lush, sleek, and displaying unparalleled visual depth, quartz countertops are highly desired by new home buyers.

Pricing

All factors about quartz countertops make them perfect for laundry rooms except for one thing—price. Quartz is one of the highest-priced countertop materials, except for outliers like stainless steel and custom concrete.

Longevity

Expect your well-maintained laundry room quartz countertop to last for more than 25 years. Quartz countertops typically come with long limited warranties.

Wood Countertops

Clothing Operations

Wood countertops are flat and seam-free. Raw, natural wood that is untreated is not smooth and makes folding operations difficult. For this reason and for moisture protection, always seal your wood countertops. If wood is left unsealed, it can become grainy. Heat and steam will adversely affect wood countertops.

Durability

Wood is durable, though it can burn if a hot iron is placed on it.

Appearance

Depending on the type of wood you choose, its looks can range from functional to stunning.

Pricing

Wood countertops are usually moderately priced. Since wood countertops can be installed by do-it-yourselfers, labor costs are eliminated if you go that route.

Longevity

As long as they are kept sealed and dry, wood countertops will last for decades.

Which Countertop Should You Buy?

For laundry room countertops, laminate and solid surface materials strike a perfect balance—looks, durability, availability, longevity, and especially, economical pricing.

Unless you own a premium home that demands the highest grade of all materials—namely, quartz countertops—laminate and solid surface will work for a majority of laundry room countertops.