With such a wide range available, it can be challenging to choose the most suitable countertop material for your kitchen.

You might have dealt with traditional options like marble, granite, and quartzite in the past. But what about quartz and porcelain? Both are gaining in popularity and have many benefits that make them worthy of consideration.

Top Toronto fabricator MaxSpace Stone Works has a huge inventory of quartz, porcelain, marble, quartzite, onyx, and granite slabs. Whether you want a modern kitchen look with ceramic or porcelain tiles or a classic one with natural stones, we cater to all your needs.

In this post, we discuss the advantages and drawbacks of both quartz and porcelain countertops so you can make an informed decision for your Toronto-area home.

Porcelain and Quartz Countertops in Toronto: Which One Should You Choose?

Porcelain used to mostly be used for wall cladding and flooring. But recently it has become a popular material choice for countertops. On the other hand, quartz is known to be a good countertop material option for both residences and commercial buildings. Examine the pros and cons of porcelain and quartz countertops to help you determine which is perfect for your kitchen.

Appearance 

Porcelain is rich in kaolinite, a type of clay with an earthy texture that contains feldspar, mineral oxides, and silica. Popularly known as ‘china clay’, porcelain is available in a wide range of colours, out of which grey, black, white, and brown are the most popular.

Quartz is a man-made material that consists of quartz chips as well as dust bound together by premium resin. Unlike porcelain, some quartz countertops have a speckled or mottled appearance caused due to tiny stone particles suspended inside the resin.

Durability 

Both quartz and porcelain countertops are durable. In fact, both are more durable than granite; one of the most popular natural stone countertop materials. However, porcelain countertops become thinner and more fragile while being installed.

Finish 

The most popular finishes offered by the leading porcelain countertop brands are matte or high-gloss glaze. It is vital to note that these finishes are applied at the time of manufacture, unlike other stone countertops that get their finish only through sealing. The finishes of quartz countertops are polished, leathered, and honed. Honed is velvety and matte in look; polished is very reflective; and the leathered style has a very soft sheen.

Resistance to Heat 

One of the key differences between these two countertops is their capacity to resist fire. While porcelain is highly heat resistant and is not at all affected by sunlight, quartz’s heat resistance is not very strong. For example, if a hot pan or pot is placed on a quartz countertop, its surface will not be damaged immediately. But in due course the quartz will become discoloured or scratched. Therefore, it is advisable to use a good quality trivet in order to avoid cracking or discolouration.

Edge Types 

For porcelain countertops, mitered and square edges are commonly used to create the illusion of a thicker countertop surface. This mitered edge is formed where the corners of two slabs are cut to a 45-degree angle to join together flawlessly. The edge options of quartz countertops are ogee, full bullnose, straight, and bevelled. While a bevelled edge has a sloping edge, the full bullnose has a rounded one that is ideal for traditional kitchens. Ogee edge has convex as well as concave arches and is more elaborate than other options.

Cleaning and Maintenance 

Both quartz porcelain countertops require average maintenance. In fact, daily cleaning using a wet microfiber cloth as well as a neutral liquid detergent is adequate. Always wipe and dry the countertops properly and never use harsh chemicals such as bleach.

Unlike natural stone kitchen countertops such as granite or marble, neither of these countertops needs sealing.

Installation 

A porcelain countertop can be installed on top of an existing one. This is one of the key benefits of using a porcelain countertop over a quartz one. Compared to porcelain, quartz countertops are very heavy and can only be mounted on cabinets, and the existing countertop also has to be removed. In a few cases, new cabinetry needs to be installed to support the heavy quartz slabs.

Price 

Porcelain countertops cost less than quartz ones. The average cost of porcelain countertops along with installation is almost $60 to $100 per square foot. But the price of quartz countertops starts from $50 and rises to $100 per square foot. Keep in mind that this cost of quartz countertops is only for materials; installation is extra.

Both quartz and porcelain countertops in Toronto offer a lot of benefits. These make them good alternatives to granite, marble, and other natural stone countertops. For example, both quartz and porcelain are easy to maintain and available in various finishes, edges, and colours. Undoubtedly, their advantages outweigh their drawbacks and they are both good choices for traditional or contemporary-style homes. Are you looking for a leading porcelain countertop supplier? Need help with kitchen countertops or other stone solutions? Feel free to consult our experts.