Replacement Styles for a Formica Counter in a Bathroom

Recycled Materials

• Countertops made from recycled materials offer colorful and sustainable options. Recycled glass countertops -- also called terrazzo -- are made from a mixture of used glass products set in a base of resin, concrete or cement. They come in a variety of colors. Scrap aluminum is recycled into countertops. The material comes in tiles or large pieces that consist of tiny shards of aluminum set in resin. Certain types of plastics, such as those used in yogurt containers, can be transformed into countertops. According to the Green Home Building Council, recycled plastic countertops are durable and moisture-resistant.

Paper

• Paper countertops also offer an eco-friendly alternative to Formica. These long-lasting countertops consist of paper compressed and combined with tough resin. Ranging in thickness from ¼ to 2 inches thick, these counters resist stains and heat and are available in many different colors. Some are made from recycled paper and petroleum-free resins.

Concrete

• Concrete is a great choice for custom counters, as it can be created in almost any shape and in a variety of colors. Concrete countertops resist heat and last for many years with proper maintenance, including regular sealing treatments to prevent stains and moisture damage.

Wood

• Wooden countertops add a warm, natural appearance to bathrooms, though if they’re used near a sink, they require consistent treatment with mineral oil. Untreated, salvaged hardwood that’s certified as such by the Forest Stewardship Council is an environmentally sound choice, according to the Green Home Building Council. Another renewable resource, bamboo, grows even more quickly than wood and make an attractive countertop. “Sunset” magazine recommends end-grain counters, or solid countertops made from panels of cut bamboo glued together.

Stone

• Stone countertops present one of the most long-lasting options; according to This Old House, a stone countertop will outlast most of the houses they’re installed in. Stone countertops resist moisture, but can stain and chip. Options include soapstone, travertine, limestone, slate and granite, and each has its own advantages and disadvantages. Do-it-yourselfers can work with soapstone, while the other stones are too hard and heavy, and is resistant to stains along with slate. However, soapstone is easily scratched, as is travertine and limestone. Limestone, travertine and marble are also susceptible to blemishes and damage from cleaners such as bleach. Granite is the most scratch-resistant and also resists stains well, but tends be expensive and heavy.