The common thickness of porcelain slabs is around ¼ inch (6-mm) to ½ inch (12-mm). Likewise, the largest possible slab size you can buy is around 10 feet x 5 feet. Aside from kitchen countertops, if you plan to use a material for floor and wall remodeling, buying a large size of granite or quartz can come quite costly.
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.
The most common material thicknesses are 2cm and 3cm. There are benefits to both options, and your decision should ultimately depend on the application of your slab.
The industry standard thickness for kitchen, bathroom, and other countertop surfaces in natural stone is 1.25 inches. This thickness provides the strength and stability required to create an unbroken surface without the need for stabilizing it with a plywood backing.
Porcelain Surfaces Are Durable, Not Indestructible
Durable materials can chip if they suffer shock or impact in just the right place. Perhaps the most affected area of a surface is an edge. Countertops have multiple edges that can chip relatively easy if a hard object hits the edge.
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.
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 Average. The average thickness of plywood sheets used for backer on counter tops is 3/4-inch. This provides adequate support for a wide range of finish materials.
In which thickness is Corian available? For various applications and cost considerations, Corian is manufactured in sheets of 6 mm, 12.3 mm and 19 mm. 6 mm sheets are usually limited to vertical applications (for instance wall cladding.)
A thicker kitchen counter is generally regarded as more attractive and is on trend for kitchen remodels in modern homes. To install trim or a custom edge on your counter, you will also have to select a thicker counter. A thinner countertop will not offer enough support for this custom addition.
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.
Porcelain's hardness can sometimes work against it. While it may be durable enough for everyday use, its surface is rigid and brittle. Forceful drops onto a porcelain countertop are likely to produce cracks, chips, and sharp edges.
Porcelain is a versatile, durable material that is surprisingly sturdy and beautiful and can add a warm and attractive workspace to the kitchen. Porcelain countertops cost between $1,500 and $3,800, with a national average cost of $2,900.
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.
A porcelain countertop can handle hot pans and pots placed on its surface. The porcelain won't smoke, burn, or emit any harmful substance. As mentioned earlier, porcelain is one of the strongest ceramic tiles. The surface strength is achieved through the firing process.
Solid surface countertop material normally comes in three different standard thicknesses: ¼”, ½”, or ¾”. Soapstone is usually 1-1/4” thick, marble is usually 1-3/4” to 2”, concrete material is generally 1-1/2” to 2”, and engineered stone usually comes in 1-1/4” thickness.
Many consumers look to Swanstone as a less expensive alternative to Corian or Avonite. One benefit of Swan's diversified product lines is that they are a good source of solid surface integrated sink countertops, especially bathroom vanity tops. Swanstone stands up well against high heat.
The most common thickness of acrylic countertops is 40 mm. For countertops installed on kitchen furniture, it is optimal and recommended to use sheets with a thickness of 12 mm.
3cm (or 1 1/4") is the standard thickness for kitchen countertops, while 2cm (or 3/4") is typically used for vertical applications like backsplashes, bathroom vanities, and custom edge profiles. The main advantage of 3cm is that it's thicker, which makes it stronger and more durable.
HOW THICK ARE CONCRETE COUNTER- TOPS? Standard thickness is 1 1/2” with a minimum of 1 1/4” and maximum of 3”. Any thickness beyond 3” can be achieved using techniques to give the appear- ance of the desired thickness, yet still maintain weight and size within desirable limits.
Countertop Width Standards
Most homes are fitted with kitchen countertops that measure 25.5 inches in width (from the wall to the edge of the counter), with some measuring up to 28 inches.
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.
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.
Stain Resistance
The non-porous quality of quartz countertops also makes them virtually stain-resistant. There is little to nothing strong enough to leave unsightly stains on quartz counters. Porcelain countertops are extremely low in porosity, but there is a slight element of staining that can occur.