Are you looking to upgrade your kitchen with porcelain countertops? If you’re exploring this stylish and durable option for your Toronto-area home, you’re in the right place.
At MaxSpace Stone Works, we offer a variety of porcelain slabs to fulfill your kitchen decor needs. Porcelain countertops are popular for their beauty, strength, and low maintenance.
But what does the installation process entail?
When it comes to installing porcelain countertops, careful preparation and an understanding of the process are essential. These countertops, like natural stone countertops like granite and quartz, require meticulous planning to ensure a successful installation. For an average-sized kitchen, installation may take approximately two to four hours. This varies depending on the complexity of the project and the number of countertops to be installed, among other factors.
Here is a comprehensive guide to help you understand what to expect from porcelain countertop installation in Toronto.
What to Anticipate During Porcelain Countertop Installation in Toronto
Discover what you can expect from your countertop installation in your Toronto home.
1. Initial Consultation and Measurement
The process begins with a consultation with a local Toronto countertop installer or custom porcelain countertop contractor. This meeting is crucial for discussing your design preferences, budget, and timeline. The installer will take precise measurements of your space, including the layout of your cabinets and the placement of sinks or appliances. Accurate measurements ensure that your countertops fit perfectly.
This will also help you finalize the details of your installation, avoid accidents, and ensure the job is done right the first time. Improper installation can lead to maintenance issues and costly repairs. Therefore, it is necessary to opt for a consultation to proceed correctly from the beginning. The contractors will ensure an accurate fit and check for heating and plumbing issues that could damage your countertop.
2. Material Selection
Next, you’ll choose your porcelain slabs. You can view samples in our showroom and find a style that fits your aesthetic. Consider factors like colour, pattern, and thickness. Remember that thicker slabs are more durable but are often more expensive.
Premium porcelain countertops combine beauty and functionality. These surfaces are heat and scratch-resistant and easy to maintain. Porcelain is as durable as granite and marble and is appropriate for everyday use. It is also less expensive than these materials.
Being an engineered stone, it is non-porous, i.e., it doesn’t have tiny surface pores through which liquids can seep in. This makes it stain-proof, which is ideal for kitchen countertops in your Toronto-area home.
3. Custom Fabrication
Once you’ve selected your porcelain slabs, the fabricator will cut and shape them to your specifications. Custom fabrication for countertops is important because it ensures a perfect fit, eliminates visible seams, and allows for a seamless installation. The process involves:
- Cutting: Porcelain slabs are cut to the dimensions of your countertop, including any cutouts for sinks or stovetops. This is an important step because the countertop surface may have bends and angles that don’t match the slab.
- Edge Profiling: The edges of the countertops can be customized with different profiles, such as bevelled or bullnose edges, to achieve your desired look. This is important as it can affect the look and functionality of the kitchen. For example, rounded edges are good for families with children or pets, as they ensure safety.
- Polishing: The edges and surface are polished for a smooth, finished appearance. This helps prevent countertops from becoming dull and scratched.
The advantages of custom fabrication are numerous, regardless of whether you have a keen eye for countertop design or appreciate invisible seams.
4. Removal of Old Countertops
Removing old countertops allows you to prepare your kitchen for the installation of new ones. It also allows for accurate measurement of the space, ensuring the new countertops fit perfectly. Sometimes, cabinets can settle, causing unevenness. Removing the old ones helps you identify this unevenness and fix it before installing the new countertops.
If your old countertops are glued down, they must be carefully pried off to avoid damage to your cabinets. Careful removal of existing countertops is important as it creates a clean and safe workspace for installing the new ones. Following this, surface preparation is done, with the area being cleaned and prepared for the new installation, which may include levelling the surface or making minor repairs.
5. Installation
Professionals who install porcelain countertops in Toronto have the skills, knowledge, and experience to ensure a flawless installation. This elaborate process involves:
- Placing the Slabs: Before cutting and installing the porcelain slabs, it is important to place them on the surface to make sure they fit. This process, called dry fitting, ensures that the slabs fit without gaps. The porcelain slabs are carefully placed onto your cabinets, requiring precise alignment and levelling.
- Securing the Countertops: Heavy slabs for countertops can be dangerous if they are not properly secured. If the countertops are unstable, they could fall or become uneven, which could cause injury and damage to the surrounding area. Therefore, the slabs must be secured with adhesive or silicone, depending on the manufacturer’s recommendations.
- Sealing Joints: Any seams between slabs are filled with a matching-colour sealant to create a seamless look. Sealed joints will create a smooth, uniform appearance. They also prevent liquid and crumbs from getting trapped between the seams, which can cause rotting and mildew.
Porcelain countertops installation in Toronto involves careful planning, precise measurements, and professional installation. With their durability, low maintenance, and stylish appearance, porcelain countertops are a great investment for any home. By understanding the installation process and working with experienced professionals, you can ensure a smooth and successful upgrade to your kitchen.