Porcelain is a durable material, but it can be sensitive to heat. Pots and pans that are too hot can cause the glaze on the porcelain to crack. To protect your countertops from heat damage, always use a hot pad or trivet when placing hot pots and pans on the surface.
Since porcelain countertops are nonporous, there is no need to use harsh chemicals and strong detergents. Simply keep porcelain countertops clean with regular home cleaning products. Another alternative would be to use warm soapy water. Just remember to not use plant oil soaps because they can leave an oily film.
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.
Porcelain resists scratches, chips, and cracks, but the delicate slabs can be difficult to work with and can break easily during transportation or fabrication. As we mentioned early, the design is stamped on the surface of the porcelain, so when worn or marred, it may reveal the absence of color and pattern underneath.
Caring for porcelain countertops takes virtually no extra work and no special cleaning products. It never has to be sealed, and most of the time can even just be cleaned with paper towels and some clear water. For stains that require a bit more attention we recommend a neutral cleaner like Fila Neutral Cleaner.
Clean porcelain with Windex: Using Windex to clean your porcelain surface effectively eliminates stains. But one thing you want to note is that using Windex to clean your countertop will reduce their shine and make them dull. You will need a spray bottle and some paper towels if you want to use Windex to remove stains.
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.
Excellent Heat Resistance
Similar to granite, producing this material involves extreme temperature which makes this material prone to heat. Whenever you will place a hot pan on top of a porcelain countertop, there will be no worries of dark burnt spots.
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!
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.
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.
Once installed, however, porcelain is extremely hard and durable. Cracking is only a big issue during the handling, moving, and cutting of very large slabs.
It is not necessary to seal any glazed tiles or good quality un-polished porcelain tiles; however, once again we recommend the use of a grout protector if you want to protect the grout to keep it looking its best and to make ongoing maintenance easier.
For anyone wondering how to make porcelain tiles shine weekly, there are two types of cleaning that you should always perform. The first is week-to-week cleaning which consists of sweeping and vacuuming to remove any dirt or debris. The next way to clean is with a vinegar-water solution and should be completed monthly.
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.
Porcelain is a subset of the ceramic family…a much stronger family member. Porcelain is a more specific composition of materials, and must have a very low absorption rate, <0.5%, to qualify. Due to the composition, and the temperatures it is fired at, porcelain is a more dense and heavier material than ceramic.
Costs. 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.
While granite and quartz are both popular and beautiful options, porcelain is another stone that homeowners have started to incorporate more frequently in their bathrooms, kitchens, and bar areas. Since porcelain is so new and has costs built in, it can be a more expensive material upfront.
Porcelain countertops cost and quartz countertops costs are different. The average price of porcelain slabs is between $55 to $120 per square foot, while the average cost of quartz countertops is around $45 to $200 per square foot.
Quartz. Quartz is the most durable countertop material. A perfect choice for any kitchen or bathroom, quartz countertops contain a mixture of crushed quartz and resin. These materials create diverse appearance options that range from vibrant, customizable colors to the tried-and-true natural finish.
Porcelain slab countertops can be easily cut to accept any kind of sink finish including top mount, undermount, flush mount and farm-sink.
In terms of cost, marble tiles are slightly more expensive than porcelain tiles. However, if you go with custom marble tiles, you can expect the price difference to be significant. Keep in mind that marble tiles will increase the resale value of your home, so the initial high cost can always be covered up.
Slab porcelain is another of the best materials for the bathroom vanity countertop. Low porosity and incredible durability make it the perfect fit for the bathroom. It comes in several styles including smooth monochromatic and stone looks like your favorite marble.
There are advantages to each of these two benchtop materials. In terms of durability and the life cycle of the product, porcelain is the clear winner. If short-term savings is the goal, the advantage goes to laminate. As for available style options, they both feature a deep catalogue of colours and finishes.
There are two common and effective DIY methods of repairing a cracked solid surface countertop: using cyanoacrylate (super glue), or using epoxy filler material. Both materials are readily available at any home center or hardware store.