A Review of Porcelain Benchtops: Are They Right for You?
A Review of Porcelain Benchtops: Are They Right for You?
If you’ve researched kitchen benchtops recently, this next statement won’t come as a surprise. An ever-increasing number of people are moving away from engineered stone, and porcelain appears to be the way of the future. That’s not a comparison, but simply an observation about what’s taking place in kitchen designs around the world. Here at Archant, we offer both Quartz and Porcelain as we believe every project design has a material that will best meet its purpose. Still, for many of you, the idea of a porcelain benchtop may be new. The goal of this article is to review the top things you need to know as you consider your kitchen design.
How is it Even Made?
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. As you might imagine, this fiery process aids in its outstanding durability. The material essentially becomes resistant to thermal stress and ultra-high temperatures, stains, scratches, cracks, chipping, and UV rays. Now you may be wondering, is porcelain indestructible with a manufacturing process like that? Let’s take a deeper look.
Is it Kid-Proof?
Porcelain is an extremely durable surface, but in truth, chips can and do happen on rare occasions. And while there are no bulletproof benchtops on the market today, Archant stands behind our Porcelain benchtops with an amazing lifetime warranty. That’s not empty marketing hyperbole, but a true game-changer. Now you can enjoy the beauty and functionality of porcelain with real peace of mind. We understand the material of your benchtop may very well be the most important and costly element of a kitchen. This exceptional warranty provides security that your investment will add value for many years to come as long as it's not damaged by accidental misuse.
Heat and Scratch Resistance
With a porcelain benchtop, you can take a hot pot or pan from the oven and put it straight onto the stone without leaving so much as a mark. Gone are the days of scrambling for a hot mat while working in the kitchen. As an added benefit of the natural raw materials, porcelain is nearly impossible to scratch. You can literally cut vegetables directly on the surface without worry. This robust durability debunks the myth of porcelain being fragile.
OK, But what About Stains?
Let’s be real, even the most careful of us will spill liquid on our benchtop from time to time. While other surface materials would potentially leave a permanent stain, porcelain is much more forgiving. This is largely due to its non-porous surface and absence of any resins. Rather than absorbing the spill, it remains on top until you’re ready to clean it up. Take for example, a three-day-old wine stain… With a porcelain benchtop, all it takes is a quick wipe down and no one will be any wiser to the mishap. You’ll also be glad to learn that porcelain will not yellow or change colour over time.
Indoors or Outdoors – It Never Fades!
The intense UV rays of a summer day are no match for porcelain as it simply never loses its lustre. It’s this high level of durability that makes porcelain a wise choice for open-air dining and entertainment spaces. It’s another example of the functional beauty of porcelain. It may look gorgeous, but it’s certainly far from delicate.
Unlimited Design Potential
Archant has over 22 colours to choose from with a large variety of styles. Whether you’re looking for an understated design or a darker colour with a mottled appearance, there’s no shortage of options. Some of these are highly polished while others feature a more textured or matte finish. Since the patterns are ingrained right onto the surface, it’s possible to mimic the look of nearly any material. At Archant, we have five different collections: Marble, Colour, Cement, Stone, and Metal.
Our large format slabs (3200 x 1600mm) make it possible to create sizable benchtops with minimal joining of additional pieces. Having to cut less also minimises waste and therefore lowers cost. These slabs are made in several thicknesses. 6mm is an ideal choice for splashback as it’s rather slim. 12mm is common for benchtops, and some styles are available in 20mm. To aid in the creative design you can also utilize a product called “wedi” underneath the stone. This will give a 12mm benchtop a much thicker appearance. Not to worry though, only the stone will be visible. Think of this item like a building board, or surface carrier/adhesive for applying the porcelain onto. It’s lightweight, strong, and waterproof. Best of all, it’s highly customisable with a large variety of available thicknesses. In layman terms, wedi helps to make your design dreams a reality.
Porcelain also makes it possible to continue patterns seamlessly thanks to A&B slabs that match perfectly. For example, you can use A&B tiles to extend a pattern from the benchtop onto a splashback beautifully.
But Isn’t Porcelain Expensive?
When considering the bottom-line price of your benchtop, it’s important to step back and look at the big picture. It’s true, porcelain will be a slightly larger upfront investment. This is largely due to fabrication and labour costs. Yet, when you factor in the durability and life of the product, it’s more cost-effective in the long run. As you start to measure and price your specific design, you’ll notice that the cost of a porcelain benchtop is quite competitive with other materials.
We Make it Easy for You
Sometimes you just need to see and feel the product in your own hand to make a final decision. We’ve got you covered with showrooms in Auckland, Christchurch, Wellington, and another opening very soon in Havelock North. You can talk with a design professional in these inspiring spaces, and study samples up close. Every project is unique, so take your time to find the best fit for you. As an added convenience, you can also order samples directly from our website.
