Here is a complete guide about granite vs. porcelain countertops to help you choose the right one for your kitchen.
Choosing countertops for your kitchen, bars, and other parts of the property is not an easy task. This is because there are multiple options to choose from. For instance, you may have heard about granite and quartz countertops.
Besides that, porcelain countertops are also underrated and provide many benefits. This is why you may be wondering between granite and porcelain countertops for your kitchen. If so, you have come to the right place.
What Is A Granite Countertop?
As per experts, granite is a natural rock that contains minerals quartz and feldspar. These components provide the material with a speckled and rich appearance. Because of this, the countertop can range from light colors such as white to dark shades like gray.
Typically, granite is a highly resistant material with extended durability. This is the primary reason why many people consider it for kitchen countertops. The material makes the slab less susceptible to damage from everyday tasks such as keeping heavy things on the countertop.
Pros Of Granite Countertops
Here are the top pros of granite countertops:
Timeless Look
The best part about granite is that it comes in more than twenty shades. You can choose from white, speckled gray, midnight blue, salmon pink, and other options. This is why you can easily provide your kitchen with a timeless look by getting granite countertops.
Besides that, granite is also a natural product and provides an authentic feeling upon touch. The material also blends well with kitchen flooring, cabinets, and walls. Granite countertops also serve as excellent bathroom slabs.
Resistant To Scratches
A great feature of granite countertops is that they are resistant to abrasions and scratches. This is because the natural material is hard with high durability. So the countertop can withstand everyday wear and tear for an extended period.
Granite also has a high melting point, so it is resistant to the standard heat produced in a kitchen. This means that the countertop is ideal to use near a cooktop. However, remember that the slab may suffer damage if you place a hot pan directly on the surface instead of using support material.
Easy To Install
The top thing about granite is that it is also a thicker substance and forms relatively heavier slabs. Because of this, the countertops are easy to install as less handling care is required. Not only that but cutting the slab is also easier.
This feature also allows you to save money as technicians charge less for easy installations. Besides that, you will also have more time to complete your chores because of the fast application. So you don’t have to worry about delaying other tasks on the installation day.
Cons Of Granite
Here are the cons of granite to help you understand the importance of this material for countertops:
Dulls Knife Blades
It is no secret that granite is one of the hardest substances you will encounter when buying countertops. Unfortunately, this feature also decreases the flexibility to use the item for the kitchen. This is because granite will dull your knives if they meet when cutting vegetables or other things on the countertop.
Of course, this issue is also avoidable if you don’t use sharp items on the countertop. For instance, you can cut vegetables and meat on a different platform in the kitchen. However, this means you will have to remember the con every time you cook, which can be difficult.
Prone To Staining
Many people may have told you that granite is resistant to staining, making it the best kitchen countertop material. However, remember that this is incomplete information. The component will only be stain-resistant if it has been sealed properly during the installation.
Besides that, the stain-resistant ability will disappear once the sealant’s effect wears off. This is why the aesthetics of your kitchen may decrease if you drop liquids on the granite countertops. For instance, red wine stains, marinade marks, and other stains will be difficult to remove.
What Is A Porcelain Countertop?
Many people neglect porcelain slabs when purchasing kitchen countertops due to a lack of knowledge. This is a pottery material, so you may consider it less durable and weak. However, that is not the case. Porcelain countertops have greater strength than quartz and granite countertops.
Typically, this countertop has an opaque or translucent finishing. Besides that, porcelain slabs are covered with glazed pigment to provide a natural stone or marble-like appearance. This is why such countertops look highly aesthetic in modern kitchens.
Pros Of Porcelain Countertops
Many people neglect porcelain countertops, but these slabs have more benefits than other materials. Here are the top pros to help you understand this item better:
High Durability
Porcelain also has a high melting point, so you can easily use it for countertops with stoves or electrical cooktops. You can also keep hot pots and pans on the slab without worrying. The best part is that porcelain is 30% stronger than the strongest granite.
So porcelain countertops are more likely to last longer than granite countertops. The structure is also scratch-resistant and suitable for cutting fruits, vegetables, and meat. You also don’t have to worry about your knives dulling because of porcelain countertops.
Easy To Maintain
The top feature of porcelain is that it makes non-porous countertops with a low liquid absorption rate. These features ensure that the slab will be stain-resistant, so you don’t have to worry about cleaning spills instantly to prevent the countertop from damage.
Besides that, high-quality countertops also require less regular maintenance due to the flexible features. This is why you can save more time by getting porcelain countertops. The easy cleaning features also ensure you don’t have to spend high time in the kitchen after cooking to clean the mess.
High Design Flexibility
The best part about porcelain is that you can enjoy multiple color options because of the natural pigments. Not only that but more shades and patterns can be added to the material during the fabrication process. So you can get a solid stone-like countertop or one that resembles marble.
You can make your countertop resemble different materials without making much effort. For instance, you can ask the manufacturer to provide a rusted steel or wood grain finishing for a classic look. The best thing is that the countertop will still appear natural.
Cons Of Porcelain Countertops
Nothing in this world is perfect, so porcelain countertops have some drawbacks too. Here are the cons of getting this material for your kitchen tops:
Cannot Withstand Blunt Forces
The porcelain countertops are robust but up to a certain extent. For instance, the material cannot withstand extremely high blunt forces. This is why you should avoid using a heavy material such as a hammer for meat on the countertop.
Besides that, you should also avoid using a meat cleaver on a porcelain countertop. As long as you take these precautions, you can use the slab for an extended period without issues.
Limited Edging Options
As a homeowner, you may prefer to make your kitchen more aesthetic by getting edged countertops. However, you must remember that such options are limited with porcelain slabs. Typically, you can get the standard square, round, beveled, straight, and waterfall edges.
Luckily, you can get the edges mitered to form a consistent pattern on the countertop. This option will also allow you to make the slab look thicker. So this factor is only a con if you prefer complex edging options for aesthetics.
Granite Vs. Porcelain Countertops: The Top Differences
Here are the primary differences between granite vs. porcelain countertops:
Durability
Both granite and porcelain have excellent strength because of their durable build. For instance, both of them are scratch-resistant due to their high hardness. Besides that, you can use them near a kitchen cooktop because of their ability to withstand heat.
However, you should remember that porcelain is more durable than granite. This is because it does not dull your knives when using blades for cutting. You can also keep hot pots and pans on porcelain surfaces without using a heatproof pad or support material. The component does not deform easily.
Porosity
You may often hear the term “porous” when searching for the best countertop for the kitchen and bars. Typically, this word means that the surface has holes on it. So air and liquid can pass through the material to cause multiple drawbacks.
For instance, porous surfaces can easily stain during spills because of the high absorption ability. Bacteria also contaminates such countertops more easily than others. This is why granite is not preferable for kitchens because the component is porous.
Meanwhile, porcelain is non-porous and does not allow liquids to seep through the countertop. So the durability of the component will not decrease, and you can enjoy high flexibility.
Maintenance
This is an essential factor to consider when buying the best countertop for your kitchen and bars. Typically, this feature affects the lifespan of the slab and how much effort you have to put in for care. The best part is that porcelain requires almost no maintenance.
The component is non-porous, so you can easily clean it with soap and water without affecting the structure. Besides that, fire glazing also seals the countertop. This means that you don’t have to worry about staining.
Unfortunately, granite requires more maintenance than other countertop materials. For instance, you will have to reseal the component one to two times every year to avoid staining. You must also clean spills instantly to avoid absorption.
Also Read : 2cm vs 3cm Quartz Countertops
Granite Vs. Porcelain Countertops: Which One Is Superior?
The superiority of the two materials depends on the application of the countertop. Typically, porcelain is superior to granite due to multiple benefits. For instance, the former is stain-resistant and does not require yearly resealing.
Besides that, porcelain countertops are also maintenance-free, so you don’t have to take out additional cleaning time. The material is also stronger than the hardest granite because of the high melting point and fire glazing. So you can expect it to last for many years to come.
Granite Vs. Porcelain Countertops: Which One Is More Expensive?
The good news is that porcelain is not only a superior but cheaper material than granite. This is why you can purchase the slabs at a reasonable rate without breaking your bank. Meanwhile, the prices of granite countertops vary depending on the stone’s variety.
For instance, low-quality to average-quality granite will cost $27 to $40 per square foot. Meanwhile, the exotic countertops will cause damage of at least $200 per square foot. So you cannot expect to get granite slabs if your budget is tight.
However, the installation cost of porcelain countertops may be higher than the rate of granite slab application. This is because the material is thinner than the natural rock component. So technicians will have to be more careful and slower to avoid damaging the porcelain countertop.
Of course, you should note that the overall cost of purchasing and installing a porcelain countertop will still be lower. Besides that, porcelain slabs’ maintenance costs are also negligible compared to granite countertops.
Granite Vs. Porcelain Countertops: Which One Is Easy To Install?
The installation process of granite and porcelain countertops is relatively easy. However, the latter requires more care during the application because it is thinner than granite. So contractors will have to work slowly to avoid damaging the material.
Apart from that, the experts will have to take more precautions and give more time to see if everything is perfect after the installation. So getting a porcelain countertop is more time-consuming. However, you will not have to worry much about maintaining the slab after that.
Final Verdict
Granite and porcelain countertops are excellent for serving you for a long time. However, the latter is preferable for kitchens because of multiple reasons. Besides that, porcelain slabs are also less expensive and have more benefits.
Meanwhile, the drawbacks of granite countertops are more significant than the pros. This is why you should consider all these factors to make an informed decision.
