10 Surprising Reasons Quartz Countertops are Superior to Porcelain

Man-made materials have recently been more popular than natural stones. Such materials include quartz and porcelain among others, which are currently the most popular for kitchen and bathroom countertops. Although quartz and porcelain have in common their man-made nature, they are also very different materials. Continue reading and find out the reasons why quartz stone countertops are superior to porcelain.

1. Tougher

Natural quartz is one of the hardest stones in nature. It is ranking number 7 on the scale of the hardest stones. Porcelain is made from kaolin, a type of clay which is a very soft material. Although porcelain is far tougher than its initial component, it is also far less durable than quartz.

2. Wide colour range

Quartz, as a combination of natural quartz stone and resins, has a wider colour range. Quartz often has veining or granulation which is the result of mineral impurities in it . Porcelain, before it is glazed, is usually white. View our quartz marble effect range, quartz bookmatch range, classic range or premier range and get inspired for your next project.

3. Lasts longer

Quartz as a tougher material then porcelain will naturally last longer as it will handle more. Quartz countertops will last you for decades.

4. Easier to find

Porcelain is very popular for cutlery, but for countertops, it hasn’t been as widely used. There are only a handful of manufacturers and you will not have as many options as with quartz.

5. More finishes

Porcelain usually has a high-gloss or matte finish, while quartz has also leather, honed or polished finish. Quartz can also be matte or high-gloss and you will have more options with it.

6. More edge styles

With porcelain, you only have two edge options: square and mitred. Since porcelain is thin these edge techniques are used to prevent the breaking. Quartz gives you a greater range of choice for edges.

7. Better patterns

The patterns on porcelain are glazed, which means they are only added to the top layer. In the event of a scratch, you will be able to see that the pigment doesn’t go deep enough.

8. Various shapes

Quartz countertops can be shaped for curved kitchen elements. Porcelain still can be curved, but that is avoided. Porcelain is very thin and it often breaks, resulting in a big material loss.

9. They are not cheaper

Quartz and porcelain fall in the same range when it comes to the prices. They are not the cheapest, but they are also more affordable than natural stones. Although they have similar prices, you will get more for your bank with quartz.

10. Quartz has a higher resell value

If you, for example, decide to sell your house, quartz countertops have a greater value in the eyes of potential buyers then porcelain.

Quartz and porcelain have some similar advantages such as stain resistance or resistance to scratching. However, quartz has some improved characteristics to porcelain and will make a better investment. The prices for both materials are moderate but it is better to choose a longer-lasting product.

For more information about quartz and porcelain stone, please feel free to contact us.