There are many countertop materials, and they’re used in kitchens, bathroom, and other places where countertops are necessary. Here is everything that makes porcelain a no-go material for a lot of people who are considering countertop replacement.
It Can Crack Easily
If you think that porcelain is a durable material, then think again. Yes, it’s not as fragile as marble where it can scratch and stain, but it’s not any less either. Porcelain is a very soft material and if you drop something on it from a reasonable height, then you better believe that the impact is going to impart some damage to the countertop.
This material can shatter like nothing else, and if you’re trying to test its strength by standing on top of it, then you’re going to break the countertops. It’s not advised that you put your entire weight on these countertops, because they won’t be able to sustain it. Also, knives are not meant to be used directly on the surface of porcelain countertops, because scratches will form and they won’t look pretty.
It’s also a nightmare to get these scratches filled without making things look too obvious and in certain lights, the gaps will show and that’s going to add to the unpleasantness of the appearance of porcelain. So, if a material is that fragile, then you should try your luck out with different materials that are going to last for a decent amount of time.
An Overall Fragile Material
You’ve heard of accidents during installation, but porcelain takes this scenario to a whole new level. It’s a very hard material to deal with because it’s heavy, but the heaviness doesn’t equal strength. It’s pretty much a pain in the neck to install.
Porcelain tiles might be a bit easier to install, but they’re too delicate and they can shatter upon impact with something heavy, so they’re a no-go. As for slabs, the bigger they get, the harder it will be for the contractor to install them in your bathroom or kitchen and small cracks and chips will be inevitable.
The installation of materials should be easy and if you’re holding your breath all the time, just because porcelain might break or chip, then is it the best choice of material to go for? You probably know the answer, but it’s not. It’s better to invest your time and money in a material that’s going to be installed a lot more easily and there won’t be any issues, because who likes a shattered countertop, right upon installation? Probably no one.
It Doesn’t Last Long
You might be sick and tired of hearing this, but porcelain just isn’t as durable as it is marketed to be. It is a beautiful stone to look at, no doubt, but beauty isn’t everything, most of the time. There are a lot of natural and man-made stones that surpass in strength and durability and they’re the ones that you need to go for.
Porcelain is also a pretty light material, so scratches can be highlighted pretty easily in certain lights as well. It can also stain like no other countertop material and that’s a huge bummer because the light-colored porcelain looks very muddy once there are stains on the surface.
As for general strength, you already got the gist, but it doesn’t last for centuries like granite and quartz and although it’s not as bad, the price you’re paying for does not make up for the longevity.
People prefer countertop materials that are going to last a decent amount of time, but if it’s something like porcelain, then it’s safe to say that it will only last you for a few years before you need to change the countertops because the damage will make itself known. So, if you need more durable countertops, select granite or quartz countertops NC. Quartz is even water-resistant.
Not So Famous
Porcelain, believe it or not, is not such a famous material. There are not a lot of retailers and manufacturers that specialize in porcelain and they only have it available, because people still use it in bathroom countertops and fixtures. However, if you think that porcelain has a high retail rate, then you’re gravely mistaken. It’s not a famous countertop material among people, which is why it doesn’t have any designated retailers as well.
There will be stores where people have porcelain available and they can make slabs for countertops, but there aren’t any independent manufacturers that solely deal with porcelain countertops, so that fact, itself, speaks for the popularity of the material.
It’s A Sponge
Porcelain, even though it’s used in bathrooms and kitchens, is not the best when it comes to protection against water and moisture. It’s a sponge that soaks up all of the liquid present on the surface and if water penetrates deep into the material, it can rot and get ruined like nothing else. Sealing porcelain is a must, but do you need this material, after all of the things you need to go through to protect from something inevitable?
There are a plethora of materials that you can choose from that won’t be ruined by water damage and they don’t even need to be sealed, like quartz, quartzite, and granite (although it does need to be sealed), and there’s not a whole lot of maintenance involved in these materials as well. So, if you’re trying to decide on which countertop material to choose, then take some time to make the right choice.
No Variety In Edges
Countertop edges are a very important thing to go over, but with porcelain, there aren’t a lot of choices to begin with. You can only go for straight-edged countertops or angled edges, other than these two options, there isn’t a single design that can be fabricated on this material. Why’s that, you ask?
Well, the main problem with porcelain is the fact that it’s extremely fragile, so during shaving and fabrication, the sides can break and chip and it’s just impossible to create any other edge design on the countertops.
It is highly frustrating because edges add a lot of character and beauty to the countertops and if you can’t have any edge design that your heart desires, then the material isn’t worth it, because there are a ton of other kitchen countertop materials out there that can be fabricated according to your preferences.
Adds No Value
Lastly, unlike granite and quartz, which are highly popular materials among people, porcelain doesn’t add any value to your house. There’s no return on investment, as far as this material is concerned and that can be pretty discouraging.
If you’re spending almost the same amount of money as granite, then you would expect that there would be some ROI, but with porcelain, that’s not the case. So, judging by the comparison, you already know which material is better, based on popularity.
Conclusion
If you like porcelain and want to give it a try, then you might want to stop and take another look at the things that break this material. You don’t want to put your money where it isn’t worth it. Get assistance from a granite countertop installer Durham NC to find out the best countertop material for your needs.