Porcelain can be quite durable as a flooring material, and I assume that's also the case when it's used for counters. Also pretty amazing what porcelain can be made to look like; I have porcelain tile in a bath that looks like a wood floor. Also looks like it can be installed over existing counters, a nice time- and mess-saver.
I'm a fan of Corian and Corian-like solid surface stuff for counters, in part because of their durability, repairability in the unlikely event it gets damaged, and because it has a matte finish.
-------------------------------- When the world wearies and society ceases to satisfy, there is always the garden - Minnie Aumônier
Posts: 38223 | Location: Somewhere in the middle | Registered: 19 January 2010
Reading a bit - it sounds like the countertops are like giant porcelain tiles.
Tricky to install because they are thin, but once installed very durable. I'm not sure what happens if you drop something heavy on the counter and break it. I know you can break porcelain tiles if you are not careful.
-------------------------------- Life is short. Play with your dog.
My only question about porcelain countertop is this: can I cleave a rack of ribs on it? Not directly on the porcelain, but let’s say I put a wood or plastic butcher block on the porcelain, then cleave a rack of ribs on the butcher block. Can the porcelain take the impact without cracking?
I don’t know the answer and hope to find out. I have that question only because I always think of “porcelain” as “fragile”. Other than that one uncertainty, I very like everything else I see/read about porcelain countertops so far.
I know they have to be well supported, not a problem in our kitchen - they'd be installed on top of 3/4" plywood, 3/8" concrete backer and 3/8" granite tile. I love the fact that they will take the heat like granite, are not porous and will not stain, are incredibly tough, and have the look of quartz, or pretty much whatever you want.
-------------------------------- "A mob is a place where people go to get away from their conscience" Atticus Finch
I love our manufactured granite/quartz countertops. But I read recently that their manufacturing process is causing all sorts of horrible respiratory diseases and lung cancer, and now I don't love them quite as much.
Posts: 35428 | Location: West: North and South! | Registered: 20 April 2005
