Unlike granite, porcelain is a man made material. It is not carved out of a mountainside and formed into a slab. Rather it is created by engineers through a process known as sintering.
RESISTANCE AND SAFETY
While natural stones are porous and soak up liquids, making them more susceptible to staining, porcelain tiles are more resistant to moisture and heat and will not stain due to their non-porous surface.
Porcelain for Kitchen Countertop
In terms of composition, porcelain is mostly made up of kaolinite, also known as “china clay”. Aside from that, it is also made from other minerals such as feldspar, metal oxides, and silica.
However, porcelain countertops also have several drawbacks that should be considered: Requires professional installation: Gauged porcelain tile is extremely thin, which makes installation more complicated to avoid cracking. It is not a good choice for a DIY project.
Porcelain tiles are not 'natural stone' tiles; rather, they are man-made tiles. Whilst not 'natural stone', they are made from clay that has been compressed and fired to extremely high temperatures.
Sometimes referred to as china, porcelain was invented in China in distant antiquity. The Chinese made porcelain of kaolin (white clay) and petuntse, a stone composed of feldspar, mica, and quartz.
Porcelain tiles are generally less expensive than natural stone tiles, with the average price per square foot ranging from $3 to $10 for porcelain and $5 to $20 for natural stone. However, prices can vary depending on the type of stone and porcelain that's being used, as well as their quality and availability.
Porcelain countertops can easily chip, break, scratch, or crack by any blunt force, such as if you drop a tool in a sink basin, toilet, or bathtub. This is partly due to the hardness of the surface. Furthermore, when any natural stone countertop gets chipped, you can quickly repair or buff it out.
The lifespan of a porcelain countertop is at least 10 years and as much as a lifetime, depending on usage, care and maintenance. The bottom line: Porcelain countertops stand up to everyday life, and they look good doing it!
Once installed, however, porcelain is very hard and durable, so they are not considered fragile at this point. Cracking is rarely an issue after the countertops are installed.
Porcelain leaves sharp, ragged edges that need a professional to restore the countertop to its original shine. Quartz will resist chips and cracks more effectively than many other countertop surfaces, including porcelain, because of how it is manufactured. It does not stain or scratch easily.
The fact that they endure such high temperatures during fabrication makes them resistant to hot environments such as the kitchen. A porcelain countertop can handle hot pans and pots placed on its surface. The porcelain won't smoke, burn, or emit any harmful substance.
Quartz wins as the most durable material for any kitchen construction or renovation. Having a durable countertop is a lifelong investment and if you plan to sell your home at some point in the future, its value will be higher if you've used a durable countertop like quartz.
Granite and porcelain are both durable and can withstand the dramatic changes in the weather, however, only porcelain is UV resistant and will not fade under the harsh light of the sun, making it the best choice for outdoor installations.
As opposed to other flooring options, Porcelain floors don't require as much maintenance. They have high moisture resistance making them simple to clean, there is minimal upkeep (beyond regular cleaning) and the maintenance is non-existent. Durability is another big plus for porcelain tiles.
Besides being easy to keep clean, porcelain is also non-porous and stain resistant. That's music to a countertop owner's ears because it means no sealing is required. Quality porcelain used to make countertops is scratchproof, along with being heatproof and highly durable.
Cons to consider:
Although porcelain tile is extremely durable, it does occasionally chip, particularly around the edges. This may not be noticeable with through-body composition, but it is a concern. Porcelain tile is typically more expensive than ceramic and other popular flooring materials.
Avoid countertops that are largely plastic such as cultured marble, solid surface, and those that introduce formaldehyde, like laminate.
The costs of quartz countertops and porcelain countertops are quite different. The average cost of porcelain lies between $55 to $120 for every square foot. On the other hand, the average cost of a quartz countertop ranges from $45 to $200 for every square foot.
'Being non porous, porcelain tiles are water and stain resistant without a sealant or maintenance requirement,' says Chris. 'However, properly sealed and maintained, natural stone will still provide you with a window of opportunity to clean up any spills before they are able to soak into the material.
Porcelain is more costly than ceramic, but more affordable than natural stone. While its durability can be beneficial, it can also make the tile trickier to install.
Granite is considered among one of the hardest choices in natural stone, with a Moh's hardness rating of about 6-6.5. On the other hand, porcelain made from hard-baked kaolinite clay, ranks at an estimated 7-8, which makes it slightly harder. Both are resistant to cracks, chips, and scratches, as well as heat.