Do Porcelain Countertops Stain? We Answer 6 Questions about Porcelain

If you’ve been looking into potential home upgrades, you’re probably familiar with porcelain tile for not only backsplashes but also flooring. Porcelain is now being used for counter surfaces and for good reason.

While it’s not exactly natural — it’s manufactured rather than quarried from the earth — it is made from natural kaolinite clay. When processing is complete, the result is an incredibly strong and durable product that holds its own against popular countertop competitors like marble, granite, quartzite, and engineered quartz.

How does it fare when confronted with potential damage like staining, cracks, and chips? What benefits will you enjoy when you choose porcelain for the counter surfaces in your home?

1. Do Porcelain Countertops Stain?

Under the right circumstances, any counter surface could suffer staining, but porcelain is far less likely to stain than other materials. Why? Mainly because this engineered surface is non-porous.

Do you love the look of pristine, white marble, like in this New York transitional kitchen? Although it’s hard to argue with the timeless appeal and inner luminescence of Calacatta or Carrara varieties, marble is among the softer natural stone options on the market. This means it also has a higher porosity than other stone types.

While you can seal it to reduce the risk of staining, porcelain never needs to be sealed. Porcelain can be produced in a wide range of colors and patterns. It can even be made to look like the popular marble varieties you love. In other words, you can have your cake, eat it, and never worry about it staining the countertop.

 

2. What Else Is Porcelain Resistant to?

Porcelain is a manufactured stone. It is strong and durable. It can easily withstand damage like cracking, chipping, and scratching because it is so hard.

It’s also resistant to etching that can impact other natural stone surfaces, dulling their shine and wearing away at the sealant that protects the stone. You can use almost any household cleanser on the surface without fear of damage.

Additionally, like marble, granite, and quartzite, porcelain is resistant to heat, cold, and UV rays, making it ideal for indoor and outdoor use. You won’t have to worry about fading or discoloration when choosing porcelain countertops.

3. How Hard Is Porcelain?

Many homeowners lean toward granite and quartzite because of the stunning varieties available and because they rank so high on the Mohs hardness scale.

It’s hard to argue with the drama and dimensionality of the Rainforest granite used for this modern bathroom vanity, especially when considering that the stone has a Mohs hardness rating of 6-7.

Then there’s the tranquil beauty and gentle movement of the White Lunar quartzite counters in this contemporary New York kitchen. They come in at a solid 7 on the Mohs hardness scale.

 

4. Is Porcelain Hygienic?

Engineered quartz has one major advantage over natural stone competitors — it’s non-porous. The island and perimeter counters in this farmhouse kitchen may look like Carrara marble, but because they’re made from 90% ground quartz bound by resins and polymers, the surface is harder than authentic marble and completely non-porous.

Porcelain is also non-porous, making for an antimicrobial, food-safe surface that is extremely unlikely to suffer staining from food, cleaning solvents, and so on. However, it is harder than quartz and also resistant to high temperatures.

5. Is Porcelain Hard to Clean and Maintain?

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.

 

6. Will It Look Like My Sink and Toilet?

When you think of porcelain products, your mind probably goes straight to shiny, white fixtures like sinks and toilets.

Whether you prefer the creamy glow of marble or the dynamic patterns of granite, porcelain can be made to look like other stone counter surfaces you love. Porcelain countertops have even greater practical benefits.

Incredible Countertops

When you’re ready to start shopping for porcelain countertops to complete your home remodeling projects, don’t hesitate to confer with the experienced professionals at Academy Marble & Granite. Just visit our New York or Connecticut showrooms today to get started.