Affordable porcelain countertops that look good and minimize the fragile edge issue -- plywood base 1/2 inch wider than cement board and 24 inch porcelain over the top, then strips of plywood along the front edge that sit on top of the lower plywood edge...it can be stained to be consistent with the tile color...the double thick plywood edge looks great and can take any blows.
Great video! I love the variety of patterns you can find in porcelain countertops. I personally think they resemble "real" marble better than quartz. We used porcelain in a beautiful Calacatta Macchia pattern in our bathroom. For the reasons you mentioned about chipping and edge variations, we decided against this material in our kitchen. However, if we ever remodel our kitchen again, I would definitely be putting in porcelain countertops. I'll also be hiring you to design my kitchen.
Thanks for the comment Kimberly! I was actually thinking exactly that- using it in a bathroom or even a bar as a pseudo test. There is so much to love about porcelain, and it has been around Europe for ages. We just seem to be playing catch up on this side of the pond. I'd love to work with you! I'm here to help whenever you are ready!
Do a quick google search for those in your area that are willing to work with Porcelain slabs. They will be able to tell you where they (or you) are able to source material close by. Porcelain countertops are not that common around me, and many fabricators/installers simply don't want to work with the products, but can still direct you to the large warehouses that import the different materials. It is a process of elimination finding a reputable fabricator/installer and then using them to help source the slabs themselves.
Does porcelain stands up to impact tests better than Dekton? I wanted to go with Dekton until I saw all of the reviews about how easy it chips and cracks. Is porcelain just as fragile?
That’s not actually correct. Dekton is a name of a product by Cosentino, and is an ultra compact surface. This isn’t the same as porcelain, at least not as far as any discussion I have ever had with installers, fabricators, etc. The similarity lies in that both products use the same precursor materials.
There are pros and cons to both. In both cases they are less durable when it comes to chips and cracks than stone (in my experience). That being said, I have some clients who love their finished porcelain countertops.
If the countertops are as indestructible as my 1970s sink, that still looks brand new. I actually worry about my pans getting hurt by my sink. Unless your using a meat cleaver straight onto it. Granted, anything this hard can be brittle when moving and twisting.
Having worked with Dekton and Porcelain for 10+ years, if assembled correctly with proper substrate and adhesive it will hold up comparably to many other surfaces. However, impact at the right angle will any mitered edge of quartz, granite, or porcelain.
Yes it is glued, but apparently there are ways of still recycling the material. I’m no expert in that department. I’d also be willing to bet anyone removing these countertops will just add then to the general dumpster too.
Oh, this vid was for me. In my apartment, the front door opens onto a 20x9-foot (9x2.7-m) space, of which 8x10 feet (2.4x3 m) comprise the wee little kitchen. Love the apartment. Hate the floor, the kitchen counter, and the backsplash. So I was thinking: what if I got large-format floor tiles (stone or some vitreous substance, such as porcelain), and used them for the floor, the counter and the backsplash? Unfortunately, I can't tell if this is a good idea or a truly god-awful one.
I'd be cautious of using the same one for all three. You can use the same material, but I would vary the design/texture. I would also avoid any "tile like" countertop, and instead opt for a slab of porcelain there.
I have heard that porcelain is the preferred counter for integrated induction cooking (under counter elements) I would love to hear your opinion on these new under counter options
I have a couple of clients who have used the Invisacook system. The concept seems great, they are happy, but I have never used them in person. Every kitchen that we have designed around these has had porcelain countertops.
Why do porcelain countertops have to be so thin? Wouldn’t it make it more durable it it were thicker? What happens if you make thicker? And yes, it’s a silicate mineral.
Porcelain IS stain "resistant." What it is "close" to being is stain "proof." And it doesn't "often" require special tools and skill; it ALWAYS requires special tools and skill.
@@user-xg6zz8qs3q no, not laminate, but a solid material that can be arbitrarily thick and is exactly the same material throughout. I installed it in my kitchen a year or two and am enjoying it.
I HATE the "patterns" and color options. How many hundreds of shades of BORING gray and white do you need? How about nice solid reds, yellows, greens, and blues?!
Affordable porcelain countertops that look good and minimize the fragile edge issue -- plywood base 1/2 inch wider than cement board and 24 inch porcelain over the top, then strips of plywood along the front edge that sit on top of the lower plywood edge...it can be stained to be consistent with the tile color...the double thick plywood edge looks great and can take any blows.
plywood is a bid no no with porcelain countertops. Really need to use foam substrate or aluminum honeycomb substrate.
Why use a trivet? One of the HUGE selling features is that you can put hot pots/pans directly on the counter.
Great video! I love the variety of patterns you can find in porcelain countertops. I personally think they resemble "real" marble better than quartz. We used porcelain in a beautiful Calacatta Macchia pattern in our bathroom. For the reasons you mentioned about chipping and edge variations, we decided against this material in our kitchen. However, if we ever remodel our kitchen again, I would definitely be putting in porcelain countertops. I'll also be hiring you to design my kitchen.
Thanks for the comment Kimberly! I was actually thinking exactly that- using it in a bathroom or even a bar as a pseudo test. There is so much to love about porcelain, and it has been around Europe for ages. We just seem to be playing catch up on this side of the pond.
I'd love to work with you! I'm here to help whenever you are ready!
How do you find fabricators of porcelain countertops?
Do a quick google search for those in your area that are willing to work with Porcelain slabs. They will be able to tell you where they (or you) are able to source material close by. Porcelain countertops are not that common around me, and many fabricators/installers simply don't want to work with the products, but can still direct you to the large warehouses that import the different materials. It is a process of elimination finding a reputable fabricator/installer and then using them to help source the slabs themselves.
How do you keep porcelain shiny, without water streaks) (High shine porcelain floor).
Does porcelain stands up to impact tests better than Dekton? I wanted to go with Dekton until I saw all of the reviews about how easy it chips and cracks. Is porcelain just as fragile?
That’s not actually correct. Dekton is a name of a product by Cosentino, and is an ultra compact surface. This isn’t the same as porcelain, at least not as far as any discussion I have ever had with installers, fabricators, etc. The similarity lies in that both products use the same precursor materials.
There are pros and cons to both. In both cases they are less durable when it comes to chips and cracks than stone (in my experience). That being said, I have some clients who love their finished porcelain countertops.
If the countertops are as indestructible as my 1970s sink, that still looks brand new. I actually worry about my pans getting hurt by my sink. Unless your using a meat cleaver straight onto it. Granted, anything this hard can be brittle when moving and twisting.
Having worked with Dekton and Porcelain for 10+ years, if assembled correctly with proper substrate and adhesive it will hold up comparably to many other surfaces. However, impact at the right angle will any mitered edge of quartz, granite, or porcelain.
Was wondering how heavy is porcelain compared to granite? Thanks!
300 lbs for a slab versus 1000 plus for stone.
re: recycling, since the slab is glued inseparably onto a substrate upon installation, that would nullify its recyclability
Yes it is glued, but apparently there are ways of still recycling the material. I’m no expert in that department. I’d also be willing to bet anyone removing these countertops will just add then to the general dumpster too.
Hi, I have a quartz white worktop and it stains very easily what do I seal it with and who could I contact in regards to sealing it. Thank you
quartz should not naturally stain, but there are some special quartz sealers out there. Search for Tenax as one brand.
I put porcelain countertops that are cheaper than quarts or granite. Best option for a small budget kitchen.
Oh, this vid was for me.
In my apartment, the front door opens onto a 20x9-foot (9x2.7-m) space, of which 8x10 feet (2.4x3 m) comprise the wee little kitchen.
Love the apartment.
Hate the floor, the kitchen counter, and the backsplash.
So I was thinking: what if I got large-format floor tiles (stone or some vitreous substance, such as porcelain), and used them for the floor, the counter and the backsplash?
Unfortunately, I can't tell if this is a good idea or a truly god-awful one.
I'd be cautious of using the same one for all three. You can use the same material, but I would vary the design/texture. I would also avoid any "tile like" countertop, and instead opt for a slab of porcelain there.
@@hsdesignstudio
Thanks!
What to use to disinfect it?
What do you think? Disinfectant spray perhaps... Alcohol, possibly citric acid (could stain though) etc.
Would it be cheaper than quartz?
It generally comes in more expensive than quartz due to the increased labor/handling and reduced access.
I have heard that porcelain is the preferred counter for integrated induction cooking (under counter elements)
I would love to hear your opinion on these new under counter options
I have a couple of clients who have used the Invisacook system. The concept seems great, they are happy, but I have never used them in person. Every kitchen that we have designed around these has had porcelain countertops.
Why do porcelain countertops have to be so thin? Wouldn’t it make it more durable it it were thicker? What happens if you make thicker?
And yes, it’s a silicate mineral.
There are slabs 2 cm thick and with the color through the whole body of the slab. You can miter the edges exactly like natural marble.
The thin type was invented to install new flooring on top of another without having to cut a slice off the doors.
Porcelain IS stain "resistant." What it is "close" to being is stain "proof." And it doesn't "often" require special tools and skill; it ALWAYS requires special tools and skill.
Also you have to know how to cut big holes like for sinks of fireplace if not it cracks when cutting
yup. no such thing as unskilled labor.
Aren't there also compressed, recycled paper? Those are probably too niche.
There are recycled paper countertops, but I would not consider them mainstream- very niche as you said.
You basically described laminate.
@@user-xg6zz8qs3q no, not laminate, but a solid material that can be arbitrarily thick and is exactly the same material throughout. I installed it in my kitchen a year or two and am enjoying it.
I HATE the "patterns" and color options. How many hundreds of shades of BORING gray and white do you need? How about nice solid reds, yellows, greens, and blues?!
YES, PLEASE!
Language please.
English