Planning your dream kitchen can be considerably hard, as every detail counts, even the worktops. Your vision is to choose a modern and durable worktop that not only looks good but lasts a long time. Porcelain is now making waves in interior design as a worktop and is a stylish and practical alternative to the more common worktops we all know—granite, quartz, and marble. It is also known as sintered stone.
Are they worth the investment? This blog explores everything related to porcelain worktops, from their benefits to the long-term value they bring to your home. We hope we can help you decide if they’re the right fit for you and your space!
What Are Porcelain Worktops?
Is your first question, what are porcelain worktops?
Porcelain worktops or sintered stone, are designed for hardworking surfaces and made from refined clay and mineral particles. Each slab undergoes a unique process that is made at an extremely high temperature to create a non-porous, durable surface that is known for its high compaction, mechanical strength and resistance to heat, scratches and stains. The design of these slabs is often designed to mimic the appearance of natural stone, marble or even a wood effect while offering superior durability and ease of maintenance.
Dekton Kelya Project in Bedfordshire
Pros of Porcelain Worktops
- Porcelain is incredibly hard-wearing and resistant to scratches, chips and cracks. It is an ideal surface for busy kitchens and high-traffic areas like the bathroom.
- This natural stone can withstand high temperatures without damage. Spills from certain liquids like coffee, wine, or oils won’t stain the surface.
- The non-porous surface doesn’t absorb moisture or harbour bacteria.
- There are plenty of designs to choose from that will suit your space and home decor. Choose from an array of colours, patterns and finishes.
- Porcelain is UV-resistant, making it an excellent choice for outdoor kitchens and patios.
- Since being a natural material, it is fully recyclable, making it a sustainable choice for environmentally conscious homeowners.
Cons of Porcelain Worktops
- Porcelain surfaces can be more expensive than other stone alternatives. However, their durability and low maintenance properties can offset the cost in the long run.
- They are a thinner material meaning there may not be many customisation options.
- It’s a highly durable surface but is more of a fragile stone during handling and cutting. Professional installation is essential!
- Porcelain requires specialised tools for cutting and installation, so finding skilled fabricators may be a little more challenging compared to granite or quartz.
Porcelain Worktop Brands We Work With
At Cawdor Stone Gallery, we offer all the established porcelain, ceramic and sintered stone brands, which vary in colour and finish to suit different tastes and budgets.
Our extensive porcelain colour range guarantees we have something to suit you and your space. We highly recommend visiting our showroom to see the slabs and samples up close but below we have selected a few designs under each brand to give you some idea.
Dekton
The name is being heard of all around interior design, and Dekton transforms any kitchen into amazing, high-end spaces. Dekton is a sintered stone, which takes a mixture of more than 20 minerals from nature and compresses them with over 25,000 tons of pressure. This compacted material has almost zero porosity, making it the perfect material for kitchen worktops and other surfaces where food may be present.
Neolith
Neolith is a leading brand and manufacturer recognised for its innovative and premium sintered stone surfaces. Known for its durability, versatility, and visual appeal, Neolith is widely used in both interior and exterior design, including applications such as worktops, flooring, wall cladding and furniture.
Renowned for its strength and resilience, Neolith products are resistant to heat, scratches, and stains. With a vast range of colours and finishes, the diverse collections closely replicate the look of natural stones like marble and granite. Neolith deliver high-quality surfacing solutions for architects, designers, and homeowners seeking top-tier materials for their projects.
CRL Ceralsio
CRL Ceralsio is a stunning, durable and versatile collection of ceramic surfaces designed to meet the demands of modern living and everyday life. Completely impermeable and highly resistant to stains, it also offers exceptional durability against scratches, heat, and wear. With an ultimate strength, it’s ideal for use in kitchen and bathroom worktops, flooring, wall cladding, and media walls. It can even be used outdoors, maintaining its colours and texture, as it is resistant to UV rays and won’t alter its surface appearance.
Ceralsio is crafted from the highest quality ceramic materials, using the purest materials under a force of 4,000 kg/m2 and sintering them at temperatures above 1200°C, resulting in a robust porcelain surface. This advanced manufacturing process enables the creation of unique, one-of-a-kind finishes, made possible by the precision of the “Full Digital” printing system.
Infinity
Infinity specialises in crafting high-quality, large-format porcelain slabs designed for architecture, interiors, and custom solutions.
The diverse collections feature advanced, innovative surfaces that blend cutting-edge technology with exceptional design, empowering architects and designers worldwide to bring their creative visions to life.
Laminam
Laminam is an Italian company renowned for designing and producing large-format, high-quality ceramic surfaces. Specialising in ultra-thin slabs, Laminam offers versatile solutions for worktops around the home, wall cladding, and exterior facades.
Laminam surfaces are known for their durability, sustainability, and aesthetic appeal with a range of colours and finishes. With an innovative approach driven by cutting-edge technology and eco-friendly practices, Laminam has earned a global reputation in the architecture and design industries.
XTONE
XTONE specialises in large-format surfaces, offering both sintered stone and natural stone collections. With a wide range of finishes and thicknesses, its materials adapt seamlessly to various environments and applications.
What sets XTONE apart is its combination of high performance and distinctive design, ensuring exceptional quality across both its sintered and natural stone product lines.
Ascale
Ascale is the result of over 60 years of expertise in the ceramic industry under the TAU brand, combined with cutting-edge technology in large-format sintered slabs. Made from 100% natural materials – 70% of which are recycled – Ascale porcelain offers superior durability, non-porous surfaces and excellent hygiene. It’s the perfect application for worktops and cladding.
Engineered for high resistance, Ascale surfaces are UV-stable, light-resistant, and maintain their aesthetic appeal without fading. Architects, builders, and designers are able to choose a powerful and versatile solution for their projects. Ascale accelerates the natural sintering process with advanced technology, enhancing the performance of natural stone under extreme pressure and temperature to deliver an even more resilient material.
Caesarstone
Caesarstone’s new Porcelain Collection represents a breakthrough in technology, functionality, and design offering three key innovations that enhance durability, strength, and aesthetics.
- Fortified Frame – An ultra-hard surface with exceptional resistance to scratch, pressure and rupture, making it ideal for high-traffic areas.
- High-Heat Structure – These surfaces are built to withstand extreme temperatures, allowing direct contact with heated objects. The UV resistance makes it suitable for outdoor use.
- Forward Design – There are many bold colour schemes, striking veins, textured surfaces, and intricate patterns to choose from. Available in Honed or Ultra Rough finishes, these surfaces are easy to maintain while enhancing any space.
- Superior Strength – Reinforced with a fibreglass mesh backing for enhanced durability and long-lasting performance.
- Reliable Fabrication & Installation – Designed for precision cutting and seamless installation, ensuring outstanding results.
The Question – Are Porcelain Worktops Worth the Investment?
They are absolutely worth the investment if you are a homeowner looking for a low-maintenance, highly durable and stylish surface. Porcelain surfaces offer the beauty of natural stone without the upkeep. Sounds good right? These beautiful surfaces are resistant to stains and heat and work well in both indoor and outdoor settings.
That said, if you are on a tight budget or need a thicker worktop, you might want to explore other options, such as quartz or granite.
Porcelain worktops strike a balance between aesthetics, durability, and functionality. This type of worktop is a great long-term investment for the modern home. While it can be more expensive than alternative stones and how they are installed the benefits far outweigh the disadvantages for many homeowners.
Thinking about getting a porcelain worktop? Contact us today.
