In terms of material and installation cost, porcelain slabs offer a more affordable price than granite countertops. In terms of re-sealing process, both minerals can undergo the process but granite requires it more than porcelain. Moreover, both materials require low cleaning process.
Porcelain is more affordable in terms of material and installation cost. Also, since Porcelain has a low maintenance cost, it is budget friendly as compared to Granite. Since Granite is a natural stone that has its benefits and cost of maintenance, it generally costs slightly more than porcelain.
Both are resistant to cracks, chips, and scratches, as well as heat. However, porcelain is also UV resistant and it is a non-porous surface, which means you won't have to worry about fading or staining. In addition, it presents a food-safe surface that won't harbor bacteria, mold, or other pathogens.
However, porcelain is cheaper than granite, marble and quartz. And the good news is that once installed, your maintenance cost is very low. As you can see, a high-quality porcelain countertop is a versatile and durable product that gives you high performance and isn't difficult to install.
Porcelain is not only durable and harder than granite, but its tough structure makes it scratch resistant. In fact, if you wanted to dice food right on the porcelain countertop, you could without leaving a mark.
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.
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.
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.
Slate is one of the most affordable countertop materials, with an approximate cost of $20 to $60 per square foot. It is a stunning countertop material that offers a variety of colors including blacks, greys, blues, greens, browns, and even reds. And because each slab is uniquely made, it provides uniform countertops.
Marble tops the most-expensive list due in large part to its elegant looks. The good: It will instantly lift your kitchen or bathroom to another level.
Quartz is actually harder than granite and thus, more durable. In fact, quartz is nearly indestructible, and because it isn't porous like granite, it's easy to keep your countertops relatively bacteria-free. Be careful with cooking pans though: Quartz can be damaged by excessive heat, so use heating pads at all times.
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.
Porcelain Slabs Work Great on Walls and Fireplace Surrounds
Porcelain, while very durable, is a lighter product than granite and quartz, with the additional option of 6mm in many colors.
Tile Countertops
Ceramic and porcelain tile are among the most affordable varieties and come in a wide range of colors and patterns, including designs that mimic granite and other stone. Natural stone tiles are pricier than ceramic but are much more affordable than slab granite or marble.
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.
Generally, quartz is less expensive than granite, but many factors influence the total price of a project. In this article, we'll look at the differences between natural granite stone and engineered quartz stone and the factors that affect pricing so you can determine which material is best for your design project.
When choosing a natural stone option, granite is widely considered to be the best stone slab for kitchen countertops. It has a reputation as a premium stone material that will elevate your kitchen design. One of the most appealing features of granite countertops are their beauty.
Granite is Heat Resistant
Placing a hot pan on a well-maintained granite slab will not cause it to crack or weaken. Just remember that repeatedly placing a very hot pan on the same spot may cause granite to discolor.
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 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 is highly resistant to heat and is totally unimpacted by sunlight. The heat resistance of quartz isn't as strong. Even though keeping a hot pan on a quartz surface will not ruin its surface instantly, quartz can discolor or warp with time.
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 is among the easiest counter surfaces to clean and maintain. Because it is non-porous and incredibly resilient, you can use almost any household cleanser without fear of etching or other harm. In addition, this non-porous surface requires no sealing.
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.