7 Key Differences Between Porcelain and Corian Benchtops (Review and Comparison)
7 Key Differences Between Porcelain and Corian Benchtops (Review and Comparison)
Corian benchtops have been around since the early 1970s. They have a good reputation and are a trusted product by many customers here in New Zealand and around the world. Archant Porcelain on the other hand is a much newer benchtop surface and is often considered the way of the future for kitchen design.
In this article, we’ll look at the key differences between Porcelain and Corian benchtops. In learning about cost, style, durability and more, you’ll have a much better idea of what benchtop is better for your kitchen renovation. Is there a more desirable option for today’s modern kitchen? Let’s find out.
1) Price of Porcelain vs Corian Benchtops
Before getting into the particulars, it probably makes sense to look at cost first. If the price of either is too high, it may be a deal-breaker for some homeowners altogether. Of the two products, you can expect a higher price tag for porcelain.
All other things being equal, you’re looking at a cost savings of about 10-20% on the raw materials for a Corian benchtop. When designing a new kitchen or renovating an outdated space, this can add up quickly.
While the initial cost of a Corian bench is less than porcelain, it’s not considered to be as durable or long-lasting of a surface. It’s important to factor the long-term considerations into your decision-making process.
2) What Are Corian and Porcelain Benchtops Made of?
Using clay and other natural materials, our manufacturers in Italy create Archant porcelain benchtops by pressing and firing natural materials in a kiln at incredibly high temperatures well over 1200°C. You’ll see how this heat resistance becomes an important benefit when we explore the durability of both benchtops.
Corian is known as a “solid surface” as opposed to the engineered stone porcelain benchtops. It’s made by blending approximately two-thirds natural minerals (bauxite) and one-third acrylic binder. These resins are an important element to note though, as they melt and burn if touched by hot cookware. It is softer than porcelain, and scratches can be sanded out should they occur.
3) Porcelain vs Corian Benchtop Style Options
Porcelain can be made to look like all kinds of materials including metal, cement, timber, and marble. This makes it a favourite of interior designers around New Zealand. With nearly endless patterns, colours and design potential, porcelain undoubtedly elevates the look and feel of a space.
Thanks to two different available thickness choices and three textures, Archant Porcelain truly allows the modern-day designer the versatility and freedom of customisation.
Corian has a big variety of colours as well, but some designers claim it has an artificial look and feel. In recent years, there has been a new development with Corian which is quite clever. One example is electrical conductivity. With this feature installed, you can wirelessly charge a device by simply resting it on your benchtop.
4) Warranty Duration of Corian vs Porcelain Surfaces
Archant Porcelain benchtops have a long warranty. We’re talking lifetime peace of mind! Of course, it doesn’t include accidental misuse. If you stand on it and it cracks, that’s not covered. Yet with its superior build, it should be able to hold up well for the foreseeable future.
Corian’s standard warranty is 10 years, which is still valuable, but not nearly as robust as porcelain. You’ll want to talk with your benchtop installation company to learn what is and isn’t covered.
5) What’s More on Trend, Porcelain or Corian Counters?
At Archant, we don’t believe that a product is beautiful just because it’s “on-trend”. Having installed countless benchtops for customers in New Zealand, we know that beauty is in the eye of the beholder. When it comes to selling your home though, kitchens are typically examined with the most scrutiny.
Since Corian benchtops have been around for many decades, some homebuyers consider them outdated and less desirable. Some even argue that their style is more suitable for commercial over residential spaces.
In comparison, leading design experts are calling porcelain benchtops the next big thing in design. In a recent article on Houzz, they referred to porcelain as “The Revolutionary New Benchtop Material”. This can have a positive impact on your home value, and overall appeal to potential buyers.
6) Porcelain vs Corian – What’s More Durable?
Perhaps the biggest difference here is that porcelain is impervious to damage from heat, thermal stress, and hot cookware. You can take a scolding hot pan from the oven and put it directly onto the bench without cause for concern.
You can’t do that with Corian as it would cause serious damage to the surface. As we noted above, the resin filler that’s used to make Corian benchtops melts at high temperatures.
In terms of scratch resistance, Corian is softer and more prone to dents and scratches. Porcelain is much harder and therefore doesn’t dent or scratch as easily. Both can chip or crack if struck with blunt force, especially near the more sensitive edges.
7) Benchtop Maintenance – Porcelain vs Corian
Because Corian is a nonporous solid surface it’s virtually maintenance-free. You won’t need to seal it or use any special cleaning products. You can even use abrasive cleaners, scouring pads, and other scrub pads on Corian.
Porcelain benchtops also require very little maintenance. It’s nonporous and stain-resistant. One difference is with the recommended cleaning products. While warm soapy water is suitable for wiping down porcelain benchtops, you want to avoid any cleaning solutions with a scratching agent. Instead of an abrasive pad, a soft cloth or sponge is preferable.
To Recap
To review, the main differences between Corian and Porcelain benchtops are as follows:
- Corian costs less but is not as long-lasting as Porcelain.
- Porcelain is a type of engineered stone and Corian is a solid surface.
- Both products have a wide variety of styles to choose from, but porcelain features unlimited design potential.
- Porcelain surfaces have a lifetime warranty and Corian’s guarantee is 10 years.
- Porcelain benchtops are seen as more desirable to homebuyers over Corian.
- Corian is easily damaged by hot cookware while porcelain is heat resistant.
- Each surface is easy to maintain, but abrasive pads can damage the finish on Porcelain benchtops.
We hope you have a better understanding of the unique characteristics of these benchtops by now. While they certainly have some key differences, they are both being used to elevate kitchen designs around the globe.
Would you like to check out porcelain for yourself to see if it would work in your space? We offer free stone samples here. You can also stop into any of our New Zealand showrooms to see full slabs up-close.
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