Choosing the right material for your countertop is not as easy as might have been decades ago when there wasn’t necessarily an abundance of suitable materials. Today, consumers have many choices of materials, and it all comes down to lifestyle, personal preferences, and affordability. Today, traditional wood countertops are fast being replaced by either porcelain or quartz. When weighing porcelain countertops vs. quartz, both surfaces are elegant, durable, and relatively easy to install, but which one is the right one for you?

The History

Porcelain has been around for decades but its use until recently was mostly targeted on flooring and bathroom walls; only recently has it become popular as a countertop. Quartz has been around since the 1960s but really only became popular in the late 1990s. Over the past two decades, quartz has built a solid reputation as a sturdy countertop for commercial and residential uses.

Let’s discuss the benefits of both these surfaces, the quality they can bring, and which one is right choice for you. This information will be useful as you think about a quartz or porcelain slab installation for your countertop.

Porcelain Countertops vs. Quartz: How These Surfaces Stack Up

How can you decide between porcelain vs. quartz? If you have been researching your options for countertops, you have likely come across positive reviews of marble, granite, quartzite, and dolomite. While these are all worthwhile choices, albeit a little on the expensive side, porcelain and quartz deserve a look as well.  Both porcelain and quartz can provide terrific benefits for your kitchen or bathroom.  Which one should you choose when considering porcelain countertops vs. quartz?

Quartz

What is quartz?  It is a manmade material that combines quartz chips and dust with resin.  Quartz is one of the Earth’s most abundant and useful substances. With quartz, your countertops will take on the appearance of being “speckled” due to the chips being bound by the resin.  It will be unique as no two instances of quartz will be exactly alike.  Quartz is also:

  • Highly Durable.  Quartz countertops are hardier and less likely to break during installation compared to porcelain. On the other hand, quartz slabs are much heavier and require more manual labor during installation than porcelain countertops.
  • Wear & Tear: Quartz countertops are more scratch resistant than porcelain and can withstand a fair amount of wear and tear without getting damaged.
  • Non-Porous. A non-porous surface deters stains, as well as prohibits the growth of mold and mildew. This is a major concern in kitchens and bathrooms that entertain higher levels of moisture and humidity. 
  • Finishes: Quartz countertop finishes can be polished, honed, or leathered. The honed surface is a matte finish and feels velvety, the polished quartz is highly reflective, and the leathered finish produces a soft sheen.
  • Sanitary. The non-porous surface helps keeps bacteria and germs from thriving – which keeps your family safer.
  • Scratch-Resistant. Worried about scratching your counters when you drop a knife or slide a pan over the surface? Quartz has you covered.
  • Heat-Resistant. Its remarkable resistance to heat also makes quartz a great solution for kitchens and bathrooms. 
  • Maintenance: It is easy to maintain with no hassles. All it requires is a damp microfiber cloth and mild detergent.
  • Edge options: Quartz countertops have several edge options, including ogee, full bullnose, straight, or beveled.
  • Installation: Quartz countertops are quite heavy and cannot be installed on existing countertops. The existing countertop must be removed first.  This is best left to the professionals.
  • Gorgeous. This manmade material can be manufactured to mimic the look of natural stone, and there is a gorgeous variety of options available on today’s market.

Porcelain

What is porcelain? It contains mineral oxides, feldspar, and silica. It is also known as “China Clay” and it can be purchased in a wide variety of colors, even though white, black, gray, and brown are the most popular colors.  Porcelain counters are:

  • Durable. Heat, scratches, and sun damage don’t stand a chance with porcelain. In high-use areas, such as kitchens and bathrooms, this strength is crucial. Porcelain countertops tend to be thin. These large format tiles are fragile and can crack during the cutting, which is sometimes necessary during installation. Again, installation is best left to the professionals.
  • Non-Porous. This attribute helps assure that countertop surfaces are safe and sanitary. 
  • While porcelain is extremely hard and compact, the countertop can scratch, chip, or crack if a heavy object drops on it. Also, when porcelain breaks, it may leave sharp jagged edges that usually need to be repaired to prevent injury and restore the aesthetics.
  • Finishes: Porcelain countertops have only two finishes, which include matte or high gloss matte. This is because, in most cases, the finish is applied during the manufacturing process, whereas many other materials only receive the finish through sealing.
  • Convenient. Given its non-porous nature, porcelain is a breeze to clean up. Anything that cuts down on chore time is a winner in our book. Where natural stone has to be resealed (marble with more regularity than granite and quartzite), porcelain and quartz are good to go.
  • Edge options: When it comes to the edges, there are several countertop options for porcelain, which includes square and mitered edges. These edges can create an illusion of a thick and dense countertop surface.
  • Maintenance: Easy and no hassles. All it requires is a damp microfiber cloth and mild detergent.
  • Installation: One major advantage of porcelain over quartz is that it can be installed over a pre-existing countertop, which can save time and money.
  • Beautiful. Porcelain, too, like quartz, can imitate the look of stone, concrete, and butcher block. The possibilities are endless! 

The Similarities and Differences

When thinking about porcelain vs. quartz, you will soon learn they share many great characteristics. Another quality they both share is the fact that they are recyclable, which is of great importance in today’s world.  When reducing your environmental impact is a priority, both are “green” options. 

Both porcelain and quartz are cost-friendly, non-porous, sanitary, durable, resistant to heat and scratches, low maintenance, and beautiful. Are there differences of which you should be aware? 

Many people consider quartz to have more “depth.” It contains crushed rock, polymers, and resin which infiltrate the entire block. Porcelain, on the other hand, retains its color and pattern on the surface. It may mimic natural stone a little less precise than quartz. Porcelain is also usually thinner than quartz, so you may be restricted when it comes to edging and other finishing details.

CONCLUSION

Porcelain countertops vs. quartz: which is right for you? We’ve outlined several considerations. If you have more questions about porcelain vs. quartz and which material will be the right choice for your home or office, contact East Coast Flooring & Interiors today. Our experts are ready to help! Call 1-954-626-8053 for a free consultation.