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 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.
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.
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.
Granite too is a porous stone with high moisture absorbency. Though it can tolerate moisture only when it is properly installed and sealed. Porcelain is impervious to moisture. Hence Porcelain tiles and paving are preferred in bathrooms, kitchens, or humid outdoors.
Durability and Scratch Resistance
Porcelain is as hard as granite and quartz, and in some instances, even a little harder. It will be fairly difficult to scratch, chip or crack – and why it is so popular for flooring. However, just like granite or quartz, any material can chip under the right circumstances.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
You can place hot pans directly on the surface; however, we recommend the use of trivets to protect the surface over time. Ceramic knives can damage the surface; therefore, we recommend the use of cutting boards. Avoid hitting the most susceptible parts of the surface, such as corners and edges.
Avoid countertops that are largely plastic such as cultured marble, solid surface, and those that introduce formaldehyde, like laminate.
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.
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.
Regular, basic cleaning with warm water and mild soap is sufficient to keep porcelain looking gorgeous. You can also use gentle, everyday multipurpose spray cleaner to remove soap scum, hard water deposits, and mildew.
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.
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.
Porcelain slab countertops can be easily cut to accept any kind of sink finish including top mount, undermount, flush mount and farm-sink.
Porcelain tiles are one of the most practically designed tiles that are not strong but aesthetically perfect. They do not chip easily and the cases of such damage, if any, are very rare and most can be avoided with extra care.
As long as porcelain tiles are in a good condition before laying and laid correctly then no chipping should occur over time.
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.
Both options are stronger than this favored natural stone. However, porcelain kitchen countertops are thinner and fragile during installation. Porcelain is lighter than quartz, but these slabs often crack or break entirely. Quartz countertops' durability trumps when it comes to installation in terms of breakages.
Porcelain slabs are manufactured in 6mm, 12mm and 200 mm thickness and variety of sizes. Usual countertop material is 10ft x 6ft. Porcelain slab material is extremely durable. They are resistant to scratching and cracking.