Shopping for countertop surfaces can be daunting, if only because there are plenty of options to choose from. The most popular category of materials is natural stones. Within the said category, you have two crowd favourites that have become the most popular market trend: Porcelain and Quartz countertops.

Let’s pin them head to head and see which one comes out on top!

Porcelain Countertops

Porcelain countertops have been popular in Europe for years, but it wasn’t until some time ago that they gained popularity among Canadians seeking high-quality natural stone countertops.

Porcelain countertops are made from mineral-rich, non-porous ceramic clay. Like any porcelain product, the material must be baked at high temperatures. This process produces a stone material that is highly resistant to cracking, scratching, stains and heat.

As far as costs go, porcelain countertops are reasonably priced. On average, porcelain countertops are available between $50-$100 per square foot, depending on the provider.

So let’s go over some advantages and disadvantages of porcelain countertops before moving on with quartz.

Advantages:

• High Durability.
• Heat-proof & Scratch-proof.
• Unlike granite or quartzite, liquids and even chemicals will not penetrate the porcelain, as it is non-porous.
• Resistant to UV light, making them the right choice for outdoor countertops.

Disadvantages:

• Surface-deep patterns: Patterns do not extend through the slab’s entire body, meaning that the design usually lacks depth.
• Ceramic can scratch the material.
• Very thin.
• Higher cost when compared to Quartz.

Quartz Countertops

Quartz is a dense material that comes from natural stone with resins to recreate other surfaces’ appearance. Its design has depth, meaning that, unlike porcelain, it carries through the material. If you were to split the material clean in half, you would see that the design carries on.

Apart from the patterns, quarts offers more malleability when it comes to edge styles. While other materials are limited to being square, a quartz countertop can be shaped differently.

While porcelain countertops’ ability to withstand UV light makes them a fantastic choice for outdoors, quartz’s has an edge indoors when it comes to customizing its shape.

In terms of durability and hardness, quartz can hold its own against porcelain. Both materials are strong enough for your day-to-day activities, as they are highly improbable to cause damage.

So as far as quartz goes:

Advantages:

• Highly resistant.
• Shape customization.
• Pattern design carries on through material.
• Thicker, more rigid material.

Disadvantages:

• While resistant to stains, they should not be used outdoors because long-term exposure to sunlight will cause damage.
• Size limitations. Oversize countertops will require a seam.
• Higher cost than porcelain.

Who’s the winner?

The winner is the one that is best for you.

You have to make sure to pick an exceptional design with your budget in mind. If you want to learn more about high-quality countertops, check out Marble Treasure.

At Marble Treasure, we are here to serve you and will gladly accept the opportunity to exceed your expectations. We are so passionate about the quality of our work and the treatment of our customers, providing them with high-quality countertops that fit their needs without breaking the bank.