All About Porcelain Countertops, the Latest Kitchen Trend – Real Simple

When you think of porcelain, you might think of fragile, traditional dinnerware and ornate teapots, but the ceramic is now being used more frequently as a building material in kitchens and baths. In countertop form, porcelain is actually quite durable, stain-resistant, and easy to maintain, which might explain why its growing in popularity. According to Google Trends, interest in porcelain countertops began to rise in 2017and its still rising steadily, with searches for the topic more than doubling over the past seven years.

Gail Conroy, vice president of marketing for Caesarstone in the Americas (which produces a line of porcelain countertops), says that while porcelain for countertops is still a relatively new idea, it has been popular in Europe because of its thin 12 millimeter edge profile, but we are seeing porcelain gaining momentum here in the U.S. We see people get excited about achieving the rich look of natural stone but with the durability you need to hold up in the kitchen. So the pros of porcelain countertops far outweigh the consfind out why they're so great and how they compare to other popular materials like quartz and granite.

Because theyre porcelain, a man-made material, theyre technically considered engineered countertops. Conroy explains that the countertops are made pretty much the way most people would expect of traditional porcelain manufacturingwith a lot of high heat.

They are made through a process that involves mixing a blend of raw minerals, forming slabs, and firing them at high temperatures. After firing, the porcelain slabs may be subject to an additional step, undergoing polishing and honing to achieve the desired finish and texture, she says. That extreme high heat (over 2,650 degrees Fahrenheit) is precisely why its so durable and heat-resistant.

Porcelain is technically stronger than granite, thanks to the extreme heat and homogenized combination of raw materials used in the production process. Its pretty scratch resistant, too, on par with quartz and granite. Its only weakness is sharp ceramic knives, which may leave behind a few nicksthough you shouldnt really be chopping foods directly on top of any countertop, regardless of the materials!

Like we mentioned, porcelain is produced in super high temperatures, meaning it can withstand piping hot pots and pansno trivets required. And on a related note, it can also stand up to the suns intense warmth. UV rays dont affect the surface, so it wont fade over time, making it an excellent choice for outdoor kitchens.

Porcelain countertops are essentially non-porous and nearly impervious to water, meaning staining shouldnt be an issue. Plus, they dont require any specialized cleaners. Conroy says, You can easily clean it just with soap and water. For tougher messes we recommend using a soft cleanser like Bar Keepers Friend. And unlike natural stone countertops, you never need to reseal them either, so long-term maintenance isnt a hassle.

Porcelain is incredibly light compared to other countertop materials, so its easy to handle for installation. Plus, because its typically very thin, you can install it on top of an existing countertop. However, porcelain countertops installations are not something you should DIY because theyre so thin. Once installed theyre very tough, but handling the thin material during installation without any experience is very risky and may lead to cracking mid-installation.

Unlike natural stone, you can pretty much make porcelain look like whatever you want since its a man-made product! Essentially, you can get the look of marble at a fraction of the cost and with way more durability.

According to Angis 2024 estimates, porcelain countertop installation can range from $1,500 to $3,800. A slab is typically $50 to $120 per square foot, while tile costs between $10 and $50 per square foot. (So if youre trying to cut back on costs, opting for tile is a good way to do that.)

Porcelain is roughly on par with quartz when it comes to stain resistance, maintenance, and appearance, since both are engineered products and can mimic just about any natural stone. Porcelain is a bit more heat-resistant though, while quartz is slightly more durable. Both materials are tougher and easier to care for than granite, although granite is just as heat-resistant as porcelain. In terms of cost, porcelain is generally less expensive than quartz and granite.

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All About Porcelain Countertops, the Latest Kitchen Trend - Real Simple