6 Facts You Didn’t Know about Porcelain Slab Countertops
This is not the same square, porcelain tile that was once a popular choice for kitchen countertops and bathroom vanities. Thanks to advances in inkjet production technologies, this material has been completely redesigned to be not only beautiful, but resilient, holding up well to heavy wear and tear when a porcelain slab is used as a countertop surface. Today’s porcelain slabs offer a wide variety of options to suit homeowners’ varying aesthetic sensibilities while providing a number of benefits that are unique to this surface.
Fact #1: Not the Same Porcelain from Yesterday
While the countertop porcelain tile of yesterday was certainly a step up from ceramic in regards to durability and density, it still required grouting and continual maintenance. These days, however, porcelain offers a lot more than it used to, thanks to the advent of expansive, porcelain slap options that look nothing like their tile predecessors.
These beautiful, durable surfaces are a modern alternative to quarried stone that offer the same visual and practical appeal, but are even more durable. In addition, this material is 100% recyclable. Made with high-quality, kaolinite clay, mixed with silica, feldspar, and other ingredients, porcelain slab countertops offer the strength and durability you’d expect from natural stone.
Fact #2: Stronger than Stone
It’s natural to assume that porcelain slab counters are never going to be as strong as natural stone options like marble and granite, but the truth is, porcelain is just as strong, and in most cases, even stronger. It’s significantly harder than marble, and even granite, putting it on par with quartz.
Kiln fired at incredibly high temperatures (up to 2500 degrees), makes this tough material resistant to heat, staining, scratches, chemicals and UV light (won’t fade in the sun). This makes it ideal for both indoor and outdoor use, as it holds up well under both hot and cold weather conditions.
Fact #3: Safe for Food Prep
Natural stone is inherently porous, which is why homeowners seal their countertop surface and reseal as needed. Given the natural density of porcelain slabs, you won’t have to worry about sealants while also enjoying safe food prep.
This non-porous surface is more hygienic than many other countertop options because it resists the buildup of bacteria, mold and allergens, keeping your food prep surfaces safer.
Fact #4: Experience Minimal Maintenance with Porcelain Slab Countertops
Porcelain countertops aren’t impervious to damage – like any surface, porcelain could suffer cracks, chips, and other damage due to daily abuses like banging pots and damage from cutlery. However, if you’re seeking a durable and low-maintenance countertop surface, you can’t go wrong with porcelain slab countertops.
Not only is it highly resistant to many things that might damage other materials, but you can clean it with pretty much any type of cleaner while natural stone frequently requires that you limit yourself to specialized stone cleaners or gentle dish soap and water. For your convenience, porcelain countertops can be cleaned with the same solvents you use on any other kitchen or bathroom surface.
Fact #5: Fewer Countertop Seams
Porcelain slabs come in larger sizes than natural stone slabs. So when it comes to larger surface applications, such as kitchen countertops, islands and bars, using porcelain may result in fewer seams, if not totally eliminating the need for them.
Porcelain comes in slabs so large that fewer seams are typically needed. In fact, porcelain slabs can be as large as 126 inches X 62 inches (compared to granite that is 114 inches X 58 inches on average), so more countertop surface is covered.
Fact #6: Looks Like Natural Stone…or Not
Manufacturing advances have made it possible to enjoy porcelain slab countertops that not only meet your practical needs, but suit your aesthetic preferences to a T. These durable, versatile surfaces can come in the brightest whites as well as in a range of colors, and even designs that mimic other natural stone options (think marble, granite, quartzite, etc.) thanks to realistic streaking and fleck effects.
You can also choose from polished and unpolished finishes for even more personalization. With so many benefits inherent to porcelain slab countertops it’s no wonder this type of countertop is gaining an increasing amount of notice from homeowners.
Porcelain Countertop Fabrication
If you are in the Fairfield County, Connecticut or Westchester, New York areas, we’d love to help you with your kitchen countertop selection, fabrication and installation. Please do not hesitate to contact us today or request a free quote.
