Pros and Cons Of Porcelain Kitchen Countertops
The popularity of porcelain countertops for kitchens has grown over the last few years and is more than a passing trend. Incorporating this sleek and versatile ceramic slab material adds value to the interior design of your kitchen. These porcelain slabs are appealing, strong, low-maintenance and durable and are comparatively cheaper than quartz and marble. Choosing a porcelain countertop is a smart option and the most cost-effective way to upgrade your kitchen.
Porcelain Countertops Pros and Cons
Before purchasing you may want to know whether porcelain is good for kitchen countertops. To give you a clearer idea for using porcelain countertops as a design option, we would like to share with you an in-depth look at the advantages and disadvantages the characteristic of this sleek and stylish surface material that is rapidly gaining popularity among designers and homeowners.
Pros
Resistance to Heat – Exposure to extremely high temperatures in manufacturing and fabrication, porcelain countertops can withstand heat coming from hot pots and pans directly placed on top of the porcelain countertop.
Resistance to Stain and Scratches – Since porcelain is non-porous, liquids do not absorb, and it is resistant to most chemicals and acidic foods and drinks.
Porcelain is also resistant to scratching due to its tough structure similar to granite and quartz. Chemicals will not discolor or bleach and will not dull or etch the surface of porcelain countertops making porcelain ideal for high-use areas.
Resistance to Ultraviolet Light – Porcelain is a great choice for outdoor countertops since it is also resistant to sunlight.
Hardness and Durability – Porcelain is 30% stronger than the hardiest granite and extremely durable. It can stand up to most impacts and extensive use making it possible to slice and dice food on its surface without having to worry about knives damaging the countertop. Porcelain countertops are also highly resistant to abrasion and fire.
Easy Maintenance – Cleaning up made easy. Because of the extreme high temperature involved in its manufacturing, porcelain is completely impervious to the bacteria, fungi and molds which can cause hazardous to oneself. The glaze on the porcelain makes it waterproof and very easy to clean. Porcelain is a very hygienic surface. Using just a damp cloth, warm water and a disinfectant solution would wiped-away germs, dirt, and other bacteria.
Variety of Colors and Patterns – As an engineered stone, pigments can be added during manufacturing and fabrication process of porcelain to have its surface looking like natural marble, wood, steel, or concrete finish. Solid color porcelain is also available as well as having patterns which mimics other natural stone.
Size and Thickness – Porcelain is a lightweight material and can be manufactured in extra large porcelain slabs which can give you more options and choices when incorporating porcelain in your kitchen or other applications in your design.
Environmentally Friendly – Porcelain can easily be recycled because it is made of raw and clay-based material making it 100% natural product.
Cons
Cost – The price of the porcelain countertop is a major factor to consider. Fabrication of this high-density material must go through a lot of processes which contribute a lot to the cost. Finding the right supplier and fabricator who knows the material well is difficult since porcelain countertops are thinner than others and it is not an extremely common material.
Prone to Cracks and Scratch – Porcelain countertops have the tendency to crack when applied a blunt force. Although porcelain countertops are scratch-proof to an extent; using ceramic knives will scratch the porcelain surface easily.
Edge Profile – Porcelain countertops have limited edge style options since the material is so thin. But porcelain countertops can still have mitered edges to create a consistent pattern such as the square edge. Edges that are available in the market for porcelain countertops are round, beveled, straight, cove, and waterfall.
Patterns and Design – Porcelain’s design and pattern do not exist all the way through the slab since patterns are printed on the top surface only; and so printed design will not be visible on the countertop’s edges. In case there would be chipping, the design and pattern will not be seen all the way through.
Finishes – Porcelain countertops do not have as many options as those of natural stones. Polished high-gloss, matte, and honed finishes are among the most common finishes available in the market.
Porcelain vs Quartz Countertops
Quartz gets most of the attention, but porcelain quietly wins in a few spots that actually matter, like heat and sunlight. Here’s how the two stack up side by side.
| Feature | Porcelain | Quartz |
|---|---|---|
| What it’s made of | Baked clay and minerals fired into a ceramic slab | Around 90% ground quartz bound with resin |
| Heat resistance | Excellent. You can set a hot pan right on it | Good, but the resin can scorch, so use a trivet |
| Sunlight and outdoor use | UV stable, so it works outdoors and by big windows | Can fade or yellow in direct sun. Indoor only |
| Scratch resistance | Very high, though ceramic knives can mark it | High, but the resin scratches easier than porcelain |
| Stains | Non-porous, so nothing soaks in | Non-porous too. Both shrug off spills |
| Pattern depth | Printed on the surface, so chips show the base color | Color runs through the whole slab |
| Thickness and weight | Thin and light, easier to handle and install | Thicker and heavier |
| Edges and fabrication | Fewer edge options, and you want an experienced fabricator | Lots of edge profiles, easy to find installers |
| Ballpark cost installed | About $60 to $100 per square foot | About $50 to $120 per square foot |
| Upkeep | Wipe and go. No sealing ever | Same. No sealing needed |
Quartz is a man-made non-porous surface making it a safe material to use for countertops, plus it is hygienic. Quartz countertops are made from polymers, pigments, resin, and quartz making it highly durable. Design options are also available looking like natural stones such as Calcatta marble and Statuario marble among the most popular designs.
Porcelain countertops are made from ceramic clay and mineral coloring which make their surface also highly durable due to their exposure to extreme heat. Porcelain countertops are also non-porous and can be fabricated to have remarkable realistic designs imitating the look of natural stone, wood grains, and even concrete countertops. The latest form of porcelain countertops comes in a lighter weight having 3/16” thickness making it advantageous in the installation.
Porcelain vs Granite
Granite is the classic everyone knows. Porcelain is the newer, tougher slab most people haven’t tried yet. The real difference comes down to natural stone versus engineered, and how much upkeep you want to sign up for.
| Feature | Porcelain | Granite |
|---|---|---|
| What it’s made of | Engineered ceramic fired at high heat | 100% natural stone quarried and cut into slabs |
| Hardness | About 30% harder than the hardest granite | Very hard and durable, just not quite porcelain |
| Sealing | Non-porous, so it never needs sealing | Porous. Needs resealing every year or so |
| Heat resistance | Excellent and very stable | Excellent, but sudden temp swings can crack it |
| Stains | Nothing soaks in | Good once sealed, but skip the sealing and it stains |
| Look | Consistent, and can mimic marble, wood, or concrete | One-of-a-kind natural veining, no two slabs alike |
| Pattern depth | Printed on top, so edges show the base | Runs all the way through the stone |
| Thickness and weight | Thin and light, simpler to install | Thick and heavy |
| Ballpark cost installed | About $60 to $100 per square foot | About $40 to $100 per square foot |
| Upkeep | Basically none | Low, as long as you keep up with sealing |
Porcelain is 30% harder and stronger than the hardiest granite as mentioned earlier in this article, making it the second most durable countertop unaffected by the hard wear of every day.
Granite is quarried from the ground in their natural state and then sliced into slabs making them a genuine natural stone used for countertop surfaces. Granite is exceptionally durable and is also scratch and heat-resistant. In general, granite countertops are stain and chemical resistant and are considered to be low maintenance.
What Are Porcelain Countertops Made Of?
Porcelain is a compact pottery clay that is white with fine-grained substance. It is usually a translucent hardened clay that is porous, opaque, and coarse. Porcelain is made by heating a mix of powdered China stone and kaolin (white China clay).
Extremely high temperature of about 1450 °C is needed to heat porcelain which causes the powdered China stone to form into a dense and highly durable material, while the kaolin helps retain its shape. The result of this mixture being exposed to high temperatures contributes to the porcelain being resistant to stains, heat, UV rays, cracks, scratching, and chipping.
There are also impurities present in the clay such as silica, mineral oxides, and feldspars, these minerals contribute to the strength and color quality of the porcelain. Once the porcelain slabs are manufactured to be used for countertops, a coat of pigmented glaze is applied to give the porcelain a similar appeal to that of a natural stone or marble and to create different colors and patterns on the porcelain slab.
Porcelain Slabs
Popularity of porcelain countertops has recently gained recognition and is on the rise in the United States. Porcelain countertops can either be glazed or unglazed. The glaze decreases porosity and reduces the risk of staining. Glaze also increases durability and adds shine to the porcelain slab. Unglazed porcelain has its colors extending through the full thickness of the porcelain slab; unlike glazed porcelain wherein the pattern or color is only on the surface and does not go through the full thickness of the slab.
How Much Do Porcelain Counters Cost?
Due to its fragile nature and rather complex fabrication process, porcelain kitchen countertops are slightly higher priced than quartz. The regular porcelain slab with no special features included, can range from $60 to $100 per square foot. Another factor that proves to contribute to the cost of porcelain countertops is finding a fabricator with good experience working with these porcelain slabs, and in this case it is difficult since porcelain countertops are in a way still new to the U.S. market.
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