What Is Porcelain Tile?
porcelain tile is a ceramic material that largely consists of a clay mineral such as kaolin. Other materials are used to a lesser extent, with all being gathered in a kiln at a very high temperature to form the end product. Because of its composition, porcelain tile is generally longer-lasting than other ceramics and far less prone to water issues.
Advantages Of Porcelain Tile for Your Kitchen Countertops
1. Water And Stain Resistant
A porcelain tile countertop has less than 0.5 percent water absorption rate. This is a need to pass the uncompromising AST C373 material test. This means you don’t have to hesitate about wiping the counter every time there is a spill.
While no surface is hundred percent stain proof, porcelain tile comes close. The fired glazing stops water penetration and gives substantial stain resistance.
Unlike engineered stone and powerful surface counters, porcelain slabs countertops are rated for outer use. You can, therefore, make continuity between indoor and outdoor kitchens.
2. Colors And Textures
Porcelain tiles loyally reproduce the textures of natural materials such as wood, concentrate, stone, marble and metal, combining the realism of the real material with the features of durability and resistance.
MOCO Porcelain Slabs feature a big range of finishes and colors that can be used for the worktops and counters of a modern kitchen. Depending on the design, it is easy to make kitchen countertops using concrete-effect, marble-effect, metal-effect, stone-effect, and wood-effect porcelain tiles. There are lots of color combinations to pick from, for a kitchen top built to your own features. Porcelain tiles also permit you to clad the kitchen top with big slabs that are the same as or coordinated with the wall titles and kitchen floor.
3. Lightweight
The primary generation of porcelain tile was a ¾ thick slab, so they were heavy. It has since evolved to thinner slabs, generally 3/16 thick, though thicker slabs are still accessible. Using a lightweight slab is beneficial because you don’t have to cover the countertops or install plywood before fitting the countertops.
Since the slabs are thin, they can make the best panels and backlashes for walls or the kitchen island. On top of this, porcelain slab countertops can also be installed straight on top of existing countertops. Even though this is unnecessary for every condition, it provides you the chance to decrease installation costs. There is a big cost saver since you don’t have to destroy the existing counter. That is why they are the best option for kitchen and bathroom renovations.
4. Highly Versatile
Office reception areas, kitchen countertops, outdoor bars or bathroom vanities – the options are limitless for how and where porcelain tile countertops can be used. Perfect for outdoor and indoor areas, the countertops are best to protect from humidity, extreme temperature, and UV light. The average water absorption for the material is 0.1 percent, making them frost resistant in any weather situation.
5. Very Easy to Maintain
Caring for porcelain tile countertops takes virtually no extra job and no unique cleaning products. It never has to be sealed, and most of the time can even just be cleaned with paper towels and some water. For stains that need a bit more focus we advise a neutral cleaner.
What Are the Pros of Porcelain Tile Countertops for The Kitchen?
Whether you pick a porcelain tile countertop or porcelain slab countertop, you will find many benefits. porcelain tile is less prone to water damage than many other materials. This is very practical for kitchen countertops, where you will no doubt be using water and other liquids continually.
Another benefit to porcelain tile is its heat resistance. Since most porcelain tile is made by warming its material to more than two-thousand degrees Fahrenheit, there is hardly a temperature it cannot withstand.
The third advantage of a porcelain tile countertop is also staining resistance.
What Are the Cons of Porcelain Tile Countertops?
porcelain tile is not best, and there are some negatives to consider when thinking about a porcelain tile countertop. For one, it is usually more costly than other types of ceramic. It is also extremely dense material, meaning it is heavy to maneuver and lift, which sometimes make a hard installation process.
Perhaps the biggest con of porcelain tile countertop is that it is prone to cracks and scratches. That being said, no material you pick for a counter is best, and almost everything is prone to cracking and scratching.
Porcelain Tile vs. Marble Countertops
Like granite, picking between marble and porcelain tile can be a hard choice because of their similarities. Unlike porcelain tile, marble is a natural stone and thus less processed than porcelain tile to make a countertop. Still, marble is extremely durable for heavy use areas such as the kitchen and can be re-sealed to further extend its use.
The cost of porcelain tile countertops vs. granite or marble is generally a consideration. Typically, porcelain tile costs less than both marble and granite, with porcelain tile countertops averaging about $55 a square foot, adding installation.
FAQs
Is Porcelain Tile Good for Countertops?
porcelain tile is a best choice for kitchen countertops because it is hard as quartz and granite, and in some cases, even harder. It is also hard to chip, scratch, or crack.
porcelain tile is also moisture waterproof and resistant, ensuring that nothing will penetrate the body of the material and that is simple to clean. It is also frost-resistant, making it the best choice to be installed in your area since no sealers are needed.
Where To Buy Porcelain Tile Countertops?
There are many markets in the city from where you can buy porcelain tile kitchen countertops. All the suppliers will have different colors and rates and patterns so perform your research before buying one. Or just visit MOCO Porcelain Slabs and discover a big selection of porcelain tile featured at the top price range in your vicinity.
Conclusion
A porcelain slab is not just powerful, attractive, simple to maintain and durable, but it is also moderately priced. It is comparatively affordable than marble and quartz, so if your budget can gather for these countertops, you will actually find porcelain countertops cost-friendly. If you already have countertops but want to better their look in the most affordable way, installing porcelain over these countertops is a clever option.
