Porcelain vs Quartz Benchtops: Which is the Best Surface For Your Kitchen? (Comparison)
Porcelain vs Quartz Benchtops: Which is the Best Surface For Your Kitchen? (Comparison)
The benchtop is the workhorse of kitchens around New Zealand. In many homes, customers recognise the impact it makes to the overall style and functionality of their living space. Some are even considering upgrading their existing surface to a stone benchtop. At Archant, we talk with people daily about this decision.
Perhaps the most pressing question, “should I use quartz or porcelain for my kitchen design?” It’s certainly an important topic to ponder, and one we will cover in detail here.
The material you decide on will ultimately guide the other aspects of your design like the accessories and hardware. Starting with the bench though, makes a lot of sense.
To get a better feel for these two options, it helps to understand the strengths and weaknesses of both. With this knowledge, you’ll be able to determine the best solution for your kitchen.
Durability of Quartz vs Porcelain Benchtops
With stone benchtops, you can expect a product that is long lasting and strong. This is certainly accurate for both porcelain and quartz. And while they are absolutely robust in terms of durability, there are some key differences to note.
Porcelain is resistant to super-hot temperatures and will not burn or melt from cookware placed upon it. Quartz on the other hand, is made by combining resin with the stone. If you were to transfer a hot pot from the oven to the bench without a trivet, it would damage the surface.
For some this is not a deal breaker. Yet, in many busy kitchens, homeowners prefer the flexibility of porcelain here. Think about your workflow in the kitchen to help guide your decision.
Both surfaces are stain and scratch resistant, but that’s not the whole story. With a porcelain bench you’ll want to avoid using ceramic knives as they’re hard blades can damage the stone. Otherwise, you can cut directly on the counter without a chopping block.
For those who are considering quartz, it’s important to note that any knife can damage the stone if a cutting board is not used. Again, we see that both options are durable, but porcelain offers a bit more in terms of convenient functionality.
If you’re designing an outdoor space, quartz is not the right choice as it can yellow and fade from the harsh sun. Alternatively, porcelain is made in a way that resists UV rays. Even the brightest summer days in New Zealand won’t alter the beauty of your bench.
Cost of Porcelain vs Quartz Surfaces
The price you secure for your benchtop can vary depending on several factors. Obviously, the material plays a large part in it, but so does the size, layout, style, and other design elements like cut-outs, edge design, and overhangs. All things being equal, a porcelain bench will generally cost more than quartz.
This is largely due to the more sophisticated fabrication and installation process. The necessary expertise is a bit more involved, and that will affect the overall cost. The good news is our fabrication team is highly skilled and receive ongoing training to stay at the forefront of benchtop design. As such, you can rest assured that you’re receiving the best quality and service regardless of the material selected.
Also, worth noting here is the differences in warranty between these two options. Archant Porcelain benchtops come with a lifetime warranty for the ultimate peace of mind. Quartz is still lengthy at 12 years but does not compare with porcelain’s generous warranty.
Which Benchtop is Most Stylish, Quartz or Porcelain?
We all want our benchtop to be long-lasting, but it should also look amazing! With quartz and porcelain, there’s no shortage of styles to select from. The Archant range of quartz features polished and textured surfaces, and designs that look like marble, and stone.
You can choose from a wide variety of colours including mottled, pebbled, or a solid colour throughout the design. In terms of shades, they range from the brightest white to a velvety black and every tone in-between.
Porcelain is also abundant in design potential and offers homeowners with additional styles to consider. These collections boast the look and feel of stone, marble, cement, and metal. There are also solid colours in every shade from crisp white to inky black.
Many of our customers love the look of a highly polished porcelain bench, but we also offer unique textured surfaces as well. Whether you want to create a modern aesthetic, or something rustic, porcelain is a versatile solution.
Which Benchtop Material is Easier to Maintain?
Ok, you’re starting to narrow down your selection based on cost, durability, and style. There’s one more practical consideration though. How involved is the clean-up and maintenance process? Thankfully, both quartz and porcelain are among the easiest benchtop materials to care for. Since they’re non-porous, there is no need to seal them. And with a high level of stain resistance, it just takes warm soapy water and a sponge to keep them looking their best.
The only word of caution here is with acidic spills from citrus, wine, and coffee. It’s recommended that you don’t let them sit too long, or it could potentially harm the finish.
With both surfaces, you will also benefit from the hygienic properties they offer. With no pores for bacteria to settle in, you don’t have to worry about harmful elements lurking on the bench. This makes quartz and porcelain a safe environment to prepare food for your family on.
Conclusion
As you can see, porcelain and quartz are wonderful additions to kitchens of various needs and styles. Both offer a huge array of styles as well as rugged durability. For some, the heat resistant quality of porcelain is a massive benefit while other households may not find it necessary.
And while porcelain will cost a bit more to install, it does have that lifetime warranty which is of significant value. Porcelain offers a bigger selection of designs to choose from, but quartz is certainly not limited in this area either.
At Archant, we understand just how important it is to choose the right benchtop for your kitchen. We encourage you to stop into one of our New Zealand showrooms. Take a close look at the quartz and porcelain slabs. Feel the finish, explore the colours, and ask our design experts for their feedback. Whichever surface you end up choosing, we’re confident you will love it.
Related Links
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