We all know that picking the right countertop material for your kitchen, and bathroom can seem like a task you wouldn’t want to get involved in. Because one wrong decision makes it is hard enough to select between the right material. Perhaps, you are familiar with some of the classics, for instance, quartzite, granite, and marble but how. About modern newcomers like porcelain countertops and stone quartz countertops?
Porcelain vs Quartz – Let’s Compare
Now let’s break down Porcelain and quartz into several categories We have seen that both Porcelain and quartz share some similarities that are as follows:
Their Visual Appearance
Porcelain is usually made up of kaolinite, which also contains feldspar, mineral oxides, and silica. It is also available in a variety of colors to choose from your favorites and popular choices.
The manufactured quartz countertop comprises quartz particles and dust bonded by epoxy resin. Unlike porcelain, some of these countertop surfaces look ‘speckled,’ or ‘mottled,’ and this is because small stones are embedded in resin individually.
Clear Finishing
Porcelain countertops are not available in several options of finish. The finish options are matte or glaze and the second one is to be more popular among people. This is because while it is applied during the time of manufacture, other stones get their finishing from one which is known as sealing.
Several options are available for the finishing of the stone quartz countertop including polished finish, leathered finish as well as honed finish. The polished one is very shiny and gives much reflection while the honed one has a dull surface with a velvety touch. Finally, the countertop of the quartz that has a leathered finish has a tender sort of sheen.
Comparing Durability
When you compare it to porcelain, quartz is also virtually impervious to damage. Granite countertops are 30% less resistant to wear as compared to porcelain countertops. However, they are usually of relatively low thickness although they can form cracks during the process of fixing.
Porcelain countertops are more lightweight as compared to affordable quartz countertops. However, large slabs more specifically large format tiles can be somewhat delicate when handling during the installation of countertops. Stone quartz is very strong and hence when it comes to installation instances of breakages the durability is great. Heavier than the standard type, they can be bought in separate slabs but they are not as heavy ones. You can
Heat Resistance
The major difference that can be observed between quartz countertops and porcelain countertops is based on the ability of the two to withstand heat. Porcelain is heat resistant material and it does not undergo any changes when exposed to the sun’s rays.
The heat resistance of quartz material is, however, slightly weaker than that of other equivalents. However, as much as leaving a hot pan on a quartz surface will not cause the surface and the material to disappear, quartz is capable of changing color with time and can even buckle as well. As with other kinds of countertops, always take care when using any hot items to avoid developing cracks or at times discoloration of the countertop.
Resistance to Scratches
Regardless of this, porcelain countertops are small and have a rather rigid surface that easily scratches, cracks, or chips upon impact. When porcelain slabs crack or chip, there are rough edges that need a professional to have the surface polished.
On the other hand, the scratch threshold of a quartz countertop is high and therefore, they resist scratch marks. However, it is not entirely scratch-proof. Though it may be fairly difficult to scratch, if it is put under pressure you can observe more scratches. Taking an overall view, the quartz countertop proves capable of departure from mechanical wear with minimal scratch.
Edges and Rounds
Quartz countertops also provide more variety than porcelain countertops. For this reason, the edging options are somewhat limited because porcelain is even thinner than quartz. Common joints, used to create the appearance of a thicker count top surface, have limited design flexibility in their square or mitered edges.
However, keying solutions for the quartz countertop comprise of the following, straight, beveled, and full bullnose. Its edging diversity to a certain extent is synonymous with other kitchen designs, including traditional, transitional, and modern.
Maintenance
You can compare Quartz and porcelain countertops as they require almost the same approach in terms of maintenance. It is just necessary to clean it often with a damp microfiber cloth and with a liquid detergent. Clean your counters daily and always rinse them and pat them dry, it is also advisable to keep your counters away from things like bleach.
It is however good to note that none of the two countertops needs to have a solid bonding. This also assists in minimizing the costs that are related to other natural stone countertops like granite and marble. Taking care of Quartz countertops against porcelain countertops, the latter is relatively easy.
Installation of the Countertops
The biggest plus point of porcelain countertops versus quartz countertops is that you can place them directly on top of the existing ones without removing the older ones.
Quartz countertops are bulky. At times, there is also a need to replace all new cabinets as they also carry the weight of the heavy slabs. The shiny tile flooring also reflects in the sunlight and creates a bright environment.
Costs
Quartz countertops and porcelain countertops are two different products and therefore they have different costs. Porcelain falls in a range of price estimation of $55 to $120 for each square foot. On the other hand, the average cost of a quartz countertop is between 45 dollars and 200 dollars for every square foot.
Remember, everything you love about quartz stone, whether it’s patterning, color or the design, it all comes with a different price, and the work involved. Quartz is also safer to use in smaller areas.
Choosing Between a Porcelain and a Quartz Countertop?
Porcelain and quartz are among the best materials for walls or any kind of indoor tiling. But if you are looking for material that can also be used on the outside, some porcelain tiles can withstand adverse weather conditions well. The homeowners can also choose tiles vinyl flooring to opt for a modern look.
Quartz is a heavy and solid material to use for kitchen countertops and can effectively do the right job for you. But if the main issues that will be addressed are direct sunshine and heat chances, then stone quartz countertops may seem more appropriate for meeting your needs.
Conclusion
As a rule, these fancy and affordable countertops boost the value of the surrounding area. However, porcelain countertops are cheaper in the initial investment compared to quartz..
Quartz countertops, it’s a natural material like granite and marble without the high maintenance. This is why it is possible to have high-quality and beautiful quartz countertops in the homes of our customers. We have several quartz colors available for the installation and, we have the largest stock of quartz available online!
