I did a 1/4" thick porcelin black marble countertop with dark grey grout for my kitchen 25 years ago. I've used it as a cutting board and not to mention daily cleaning. To this day it is as new and shiny as it was when I put it in. I even did all the cuts myself! We did a wood edge matching the same material as my cabinets. I love it still today and am now doing another house remodel with the same look. I think the only thing I will do different now is use the big 16x24" tiles instead of my 12x12 ones I used long ago. I will also add a backsplash with the same tiles. I will also use a black grout, too, even though the dark grey that I used prior still looks clean and beautiful.
We did this last year in a kitchen and two baths. Love it. We did a two inch thick edge and two waterfall edges. Price is comparable to high end granite. Finding a experienced fabricator can take a little time, because the product is somewhat new.
Hello what brand of porcelain slab did you use? I’ve found a great experienced fabricator and I’m getting ready to reserve slabs this week, but not sure which brand is best or if that even matters ?
Lots of comments coming in with questions on pricing, edge options, etc. Looking forward to a follow-up video where I can answer all these questions. Keep them coming! Check out my top 10 kitchen trends for 2022 - ua-cam.com/video/JkMET4pKyaw/v-deo.html
I was born when the kitchens had a table with marble on top and usually the floors where marble or terrazzo. I remember my mother waxing and dewaxing the house and her incredible happiness when porcelain tiles came on the market, because it relieved her from a lot of work. This is why I watch with some suspect the marble hype. I was there. And it was not a nice place to be in.
in the same place. i really don't like the upkeep of natural stones, AND THEY STAIN SO MUCH. wood floors used to require waxing until polyurethane was invented. we are still waiting for a similar product for marble and granite.
Hi, I live in France. I can tell you that ceramic countertops cost about the same as quartz. So 350€~450€ per m^2. But the bulk of the costs go into everything else: the measurements, the delivery, the numerous cuts for the sink, stove top, electrical etc... So for my small kitchen I'm looking at 3000€ for two countertops and two backsplashes. The salesman told my that ceramic countertops outshine quartz countertops for the heat resistance and permeability. But keep in mind that the designs are printed onto the tile, so scratches are permanent (unlike granite or quartz).
Wow- another option for countertops is great! Our builder gave me choice of quarts or granite and inchoate quartz. However, they changed the shade on it without telling me and are now also rounding the edges of the countertops and on island which makes it look ugly and cheap. I currently have Formica countertop with that round ending and it looks just like it. I asked if they didn’t round it and they said tough- this is the way it comes. I have been so disappointed how they r going the cheap route due it to shortages and cost saving when there is wood involved in a $400K home. I will move for a few years and sell when inhale more time to buy another home. But thank u again for providing porcelain countertops- I would have liked to have this as an option- they r beautiful for sure! 👍🤗
Yikes! Sounds like your builder is not making things easy. I hope it turns out beautiful regardless! Maybe for the next home, you can consider something like porcelain.
Thanks for introducing us to porcelain countertops. We are currently planning a kitchen renovation and are considering moving away from granite. Of course granite is great but we are expanding to a 44" x 120" island and are concerned about ending up with a seam, leaving quartz as a potentially better option. Having granite for roughly 20 years sealing is not an issue. More importantly, hot everything goes from oven or range to the counter. Not sure I believe you can't teach an old dog new tricks since I learned to not worry about hot pads on the counter, although convenience of a no-burn surface is something I am not excited to leave behind. 2 years after you posted this, where are you on porcelain vs. granite or quartz?
Interestingly enough, I just had meeting with this company a week ago. Yeah, I am still a fan of porcelain. There are more and more fabricators coming online all the time too. There is a little heat on quartz right now (no pun intended) with its upcoming ban in Australia. Aside from that, quartz is generally a great surface, but I like the heat resistant qualities of porcelain or granite even, a lot more. You'd have to check on slab size depending on who the fabricator is. You don't want a seam in that island.
Sodalite: soda just like the carbonated drink. Real sodalite is found in multiple places but blue sodalite from Brazil I like it the best. Sodalite beads in jewelry are beautiful
Hi Mark! We’re currently building a new kitchen in our new home and all your videos have been incredibly helpful! Thank you so so much!!! You have covered so many topics yet I suggest make a video dedicating to backsplashes, especially the trendy ones that we often see on Instagram & Pinterest. That would be a great video and not many UA-camrs have a video on third topic! 😉
Hey Hana! Thanks so much for the video idea. It is something I've been planning as I am going to tile my walls in the kitchen. Just have to decide ourselves on what to go with. I wish there was a video about it. lol
@@MTKDofficiali have seen that Infinity countertop in a showroom. I had not only the induction cooktop under the countertop, but also the sink in the same material like the resin ones.
I'd like to learn more about this product. Sounds interesting if it's priced significantly less than quartz and granite. It'll likely have the same two main issues as stone and quartz countertops. Ice cold to the touch in winter, just like my porcelain tiled floors that I hate, and as you mentioned it'll be prone to chipping with a hard enough impact. I have a couple of chips in the porcelain tiled floor in my kitchen. It bugs me so much because the floor is dark gray and you see the white chip marks. I still think high def laminate is the best overall bang for your buck. It lacks heat resistance, but it doesn't get ice cold, is very durable, and lasts a long time for a fraction of the price.
Please note that it will not be priced significantly less than quartz and granite. It will either be comparable in price or more expensive. It’s also more difficult and expensive to install. However if you are looking for a marble look, porcelain tops the charts in terms of the most natural looking and beautiful patterning. Most other materials simply fail to achieve a look as beautiful as porcelain because with porcelain it is printed on with a high definition printer rather than blended into a mix of resin and stone powder. But you need to be aware that it can chip on the corners more easily and if you get a chip on top of where the pattern is it will be very difficult to replicate. If you are not going for a marble look in my opinion there is no reason to get porcelain because you can get something more durable. If you are going for a marble look and like me you hate the fake looking marble patterns in the other materials it might be something to consider, but for myself with a limited budget it was not worth the excessive cost that this would create considering the fact that they do not offer any warranty against shipping and cracking, and I need my countertop to last because I can only afford to do it once I cannot afford to replace it if it breaks. It seems to me that porcelain is more a high end look for higher income people who can actually afford to spend tens of thousands of dollars on a product which may have to be replaced in the future, or do not use that area of the kitchen for high traffic cooking and heavy use for example a statement island. For a high quality slab supplied and installed in Canada it starts at around $100 per square foot. But yes it looks absolutely stunning and much better than other materials. But I can’t afford to spend tens of thousands of dollars on a material with no warranty in case it breaks in the future and I can’t afford replacement. If I had a higher budget and income I would have potentially gotten it for the look.
From what I hear porcelain is still more vulnerable to chips on edges than granite or quartz. The chips on edges can be repaired but a crack cannot and then the entire slab needs to be replaced. Please be aware that if it chips on a patterned area, the pattern will not be able to be replicated because it is printed on with a high definition printer and therefore might still be visible. The look is stunning but it can be more expensive to supply and install than quartz and granite for a premium slab. It also has no warranty against chipping or breakage after installation. It looks absolutely stunning but for my budget and income level I am unable to spend this amount on a product I’m not sure will last as long. If I had in excess of the budget required and the income to afford to replace the countertops if anything happens, I would definitely go for it because the look is much better than other materials. Unfortunately for me I went for quartz instead because I can’t afford to ever replace my countertop again in the future.
The raw material is one of the main differences. They are both sintered materials but only porcelain is a vitrified material. However, they do perform very similarly. I have a video on Dekton too.
Porcelain tile countertops is preference to use in my new house kitchen countertops. It's more cheaper than the other branded countertops. Great info thank you. New subscriber here😊
Oh I am watching for new ideas…like I said we break ground towards the-end of this month ….counter tops being all that you said are amazing…now…as for me here is why I chose Formica still…first I clean with bleach since our son has been recovering from stem cell transplant and doing wonderful 🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻 he is cancer free…second it’s softer when I accidentally drop plate, cup, or glass yet very resistant to scratch, heat, or cracks….I have had Formica, my mom, my mawmaw…and when we pulled it out of mawmaw house to put new Formica it still looked beautiful as she wanted a different color but it was as old as Methuselah…🤣…the choice in color and texture now are endless…so again for the quiet factor as when placing dinnerware or glasses on the top it’s not so cold….so for me as of now I am convinced Formica high definition is the perfect counter top for me….but please keep these videos coming….funny🤣🤣🤣🤣😂😂😂😂🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣and always looking to learn..ty Mr Tobin…much success to you and your Family👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻🔨🛠🔧❤️
Hey Darlene! So glad about your son! That is the best news! And yes Formica! I'm also a fan and have zero issue with it as a surface choice. I always appreciate your comments! Thanks so much!
I'd like to know what edges are available. It isn't the same all the way through, is it ? So the edges are just a solid color unless mitred ? What do undermount sink cutouts look like ? This would have to be MUCH cheaper than granite and quartzite for me to even consider it unless the edging issues are better than it seems from the samples you showed.
I’m in NJ and had a similar issue. Ended up with quartzite because the cost when I finally did find two fabricators was way more than my budget. I really wanted porcelain though.
@@MTKDofficial nope. garden State Tile who sources the slab. They work with two different fabricators and got me quotes from them. I reached out to countless other fabricators who just never got back to me.
Benchtop must be heat safe and stain proof. If we use the same finish in the kitchen and the bathroom, it's going to have to resist both turmeric and black hair dye. Scratches and impacts are less of a concern, but I might put in a patch of something impact-safe somewhere for pounding meat in case we ever do that - personally I prefer my meat tenderised with a marinade, but I'm not the cook. On current estimates, we're probably going to end up with a porcelain tile, because they're vastly cheaper than solid benchtops, and if they're big tiles they at least won't have a lot of grout lines to deal with. Nobody in my household is a fan of grout lines.
Hey. It is available. Just had a client use them in New Jersey area. There are fabricators all around. I think they need an US website. But if you were interested, I can get you the contact in NYC.
Do they install this stuff or am I supposed to assume a tiler will know how to install this well? I didn't find any installation install on their website
They have fabricators set up throughout North America. If you contact them they can assist you in the installation. If you're really serious, email me and I'll get you in touch with the North American rep. mark@mtkd.ca
@@MTKDofficial I was more curious about how install works and pricing. I am getting tired of granite, marble, quartz and such options so this was a very unique option. If I get serious about it, I will email you - right now it's a fanciful thought
Couldn’t say for certain as other manufacturers might have differing thicknesses. Most people are used to the 1 1/4” thickness of quartz or natural stones and this can seem thin.
The pricing will be similar to quartz, but on the high side. It also depends on the fabricators mark up for installation. So in the range of $90 - $180 sq/ft (installed) This can vary depending on the slab thickness and on the fabricator. More and more fabricators are picking up this material in the U.S. and Canada, but you would need to contact Infinity to find out about your specific area. I think as it gains popularity in the market, it will become less expensive and more widely available. Hope that helps.
Thanks Mark for the informative introduction. I would also like to courier you some sintered stone samples for your reference. May I? Thank you for your time
I really really wanted to use this for my countertops. Took me about 6 weeks to find anyone to give me a quote. Then the two I was able to get were 2k more than my preferred quartzite slab. I chose the quartzite.
Yikes! That's quite a difference, but good to know. I think the mark-up on the fabrication is where the price really starts to skyrocket. Thanks for the comment.
@@helenmak5663 A wood cutting board is the best surface for chopping. I wouldn't recommend anything better. Especially how it treats your knives and the noice. But interns of just scratch resistance, I think Porcelain is the way to go. Or something ultra compact like Dekton.
Most venders will be on the high side of quartz as a comparison. but it all comes down to the fabricator/installer and the amount of margin they are trying to get.
I think partly it has to do with the over abundance of quartz in the market. Everyone sells quartz and therefor the price has to be very competitive. Porcelain is not in that same category. It is still "newer" in the market and not everyone offers it. It's also partly to do with fabrication and installation. And I think it's partly to do with quality. There may be other factors like the markup at point of sale. They may be getting 25% markup out of you for quartz but trying to get 45% on the porcelain. Long answer, sorry.
@@MTKDofficial I so appreciate the reply! I called a company yesterday to ask about the difference btwn porcelain countertop slabs vs the extra large format porcelain slabs sold at so many tile shops. I was seeing these beautiful porcelain slabs, the exact depth of kitchen countertops, 10mm thickness, and like 5' long (sorry, going btwn metric and us systems b/c our Reno is actually in Ireland!). I kept thinking, "ok, aside from a few grout lines, is there actually any difference in MATERIAL between the countertop slabs used (which are charging the 6 grand price) vs. these large format tiles used (which are like MAX $500 for the whole kitchen countertops). once the guy I was speaking to realised he wasn't going to get a job out of me, but I said I'd leave a great review for his company, he explained that "no, there is no difference in material". 😆 BUT, apparently the process to install and cut the tiles is pretty involved, and that's the reason for the mark up. I found this so interesting. Like, the stuff we buy cheap cheap for our floors and walls in the bathroom is the same material being marked up sooo high for the countertops...but the difference is the install? Still not entirely sure why the install is so much harder than say, large format wall tiles, but I trust the guy anyway. Unless someone else has more information to share! :)))
Thanks! Great info! Question…I don’t hear much about thermal shock damage in relationship with countertop materials. Generally, are certain materials more or less prone to this kind of damage? Also… some what related…. I’m looking a a work station sink. Regardless of drop-in or under mount, there doesn’t appear to be much room for the faucet. It’s very tight to the backsplash. Even a Home Depot advertisement for the sink shows the faucet rubbing the window trim just above the sink. Can you pull the cabinet(s) forward to accommodate? What other design changes would be necessary, or a “good idea” when doing this? Is there a suggested amount to pull the sink cabinet forward? Should you pull the whole line of cabinets ( in line with the sink cabinet). Do the needs to accommodate this sink change for different layouts, ie L-shape vs Galley vs U-shape. Finally… what if you use the farmhouse sink version? Anything change or other suggestions? Hhhmmm. I bet you could do a video on just this subject! Thanks!
Hey Patty! Great questions. Most engineered stones are somewhat susceptible to thermo shock in varying degrees. Porcelain is not as well as other sintered stones like Dekton. However, in all my years I've never actually seen it happen in a residential installation. So...? You can certainly pull the sink cabinet. Usually it's 3". Leave the other cabinets at standard depth. This can be done by either pulling the cabinet itself or having the cabinet made that way. I've done both. It's a nice look and solves the problem of the faucet. Thank you for this. I am working on a sink video right now and I didn't even think of this. Perfect timing. :)
@@MTKDofficial Wow! Thanks for the super quick reply and great extra info! I look forward to your new video on the subject. Hu- I actually just look forward to your next video!
I think there are some porcelain slabs that have the slate look. As well, a lot of manufacturers have slate as a design. Actual slate stone is a great choice. It's non-porous and very hard. The edges my be slightly brittle, but that's with any surface really. Not sure why it isn't as popular though.
So who carries this line of product in the U.S. ? Enjoy all the information you publish. Thanks . We will be sending you our kitchen floorplan for a design in a few days!
Hi Randy! Thanks so much. There is a dealer in the NY area and others around the country as well. I'm in touch with Infinity Surfaces and can help you out down the line. Look forward to hearing from you.
Love the video, I’m trying to redo my tiny 1 wall kitchen and looking at different countertop materials. Since my dated kitchen is very very little, the cost of materials may not be outrageous. However the accessibility to the porcelain may be an issue. I’m torn between laminate and butcher block since they are light, inexpensive, easily accessible and can be DIY project. Please do a butcher block video if you have time.
Hey Tara! Thanks so much. I'll update on availability in a future video. Really good point. But if you are choosing laminate and butcher block, I prefer laminate. Less to take care of, very cost effective, massive selection, pretty resilient to normal wear and tear. Butcher block makes a great accent on an island to nook. That's my opinion of course and lots of people would choose butcher block over laminate.
The cost difference between a small porcelain countertop and a large porcelain countertop may only be a few hundred dollars. Porcelain countertops are expensive because of the cost of cuts (for the sink and stovetop for example) and delivery. IMHO, butcher block is a bad idea due to the poor water resistance and maintenance that goes along with it. Laminate is definitely the way to go. It's the cheapest option with infinite designs, fantastic durability and low maintenance.
These look stunning however, when building a home we are locked into the vendors the builder uses. Feels like we can't really get what we want sometimes. Otherwise some of those look amazing and not just for countertop use; give me an Ocean Blue toilet!
Yeah that can be an issue for sure with builders. You can negotiate to source certain things out yourself, but you also have the responsibility of making sure it is right.
Yes they are. They have fabricators with their slabs in a bunch of places. The ones I know for sure is L.A., Boston, NY and Tampa. But if you reach out they can give you a full list. 👍🏼
These "color" combinations leave me speechlessly BORED! Drab, unexciting combinations of gray and marbled blue-gray. Horrible. How about bright mono-colors for a change? I for one am sick of seeing kitchens fitted with quartz and granite countertops that all look the same - like a dreary day in a rainy Scandinavian city. YUCK!
I did a 1/4" thick porcelin black marble countertop with dark grey grout for my kitchen 25 years ago. I've used it as a cutting board and not to mention daily cleaning. To this day it is as new and shiny as it was when I put it in. I even did all the cuts myself! We did a wood edge matching the same material as my cabinets. I love it still today and am now doing another house remodel with the same look. I think the only thing I will do different now is use the big 16x24" tiles instead of my 12x12 ones I used long ago. I will also add a backsplash with the same tiles. I will also use a black grout, too, even though the dark grey that I used prior still looks clean and beautiful.
@utubemama111111 Do you mean that you installed porcelain tile countertop (vs. a slab) 25 years ago?
@@kristenvetterlein4788 YES! I LOVE IT!
I put these in a kitchen and two baths last year. Stunningly beautiful… only trouble was finding an experienced fabricator
Yes I understand it requires special training to fabricate.
Thanks, Mark. I'm currently contemplating a porcelain countertop & backsplash for my kitchen renovation, and this video was helpful.
We did this last year in a kitchen and two baths. Love it. We did a two inch thick edge and two waterfall edges. Price is comparable to high end granite. Finding a experienced fabricator can take a little time, because the product is somewhat new.
Hello what brand of porcelain slab did you use? I’ve found a great experienced fabricator and I’m getting ready to reserve slabs this week, but not sure which brand is best or if that even matters ?
Lots of comments coming in with questions on pricing, edge options, etc. Looking forward to a follow-up video where I can answer all these questions. Keep them coming! Check out my top 10 kitchen trends for 2022 - ua-cam.com/video/JkMET4pKyaw/v-deo.html
I was born when the kitchens had a table with marble on top and usually the floors where marble or terrazzo. I remember my mother waxing and dewaxing the house and her incredible happiness when porcelain tiles came on the market, because it relieved her from a lot of work. This is why I watch with some suspect the marble hype. I was there. And it was not a nice place to be in.
in the same place. i really don't like the upkeep of natural stones, AND THEY STAIN SO MUCH.
wood floors used to require waxing until polyurethane was invented. we are still waiting for a similar product for marble and granite.
What's the cost? How does it compare cost-wise to other countertop materials?
Hi, I live in France. I can tell you that ceramic countertops cost about the same as quartz. So 350€~450€ per m^2. But the bulk of the costs go into everything else: the measurements, the delivery, the numerous cuts for the sink, stove top, electrical etc... So for my small kitchen I'm looking at 3000€ for two countertops and two backsplashes. The salesman told my that ceramic countertops outshine quartz countertops for the heat resistance and permeability. But keep in mind that the designs are printed onto the tile, so scratches are permanent (unlike granite or quartz).
I just googled this and found it was more expensive than granite in my area.
Aha! I have just selected porcelain tiles for my kitchen and bathroom. Thank you for the affirmation
Wow, every video is just so easy to absorb. As a kitchen and bath student, your videos have helped me so much. Thank you !!
Hey! Thanks for watching. I'm glad the videos help.
I'd love to see a nice big clean island in that Ocean Blue finish. Definite WOW factor! Great video as always!
Thanks so much! And yes! That Ocean Blue is stunning!
Wow. This is everything. Hope it doesn’t cost crazy money.
Likely more than quartz
Wow- another option for countertops is great! Our builder gave me choice of quarts or granite and inchoate quartz. However, they changed the shade on it without telling me and are now also rounding the edges of the countertops and on island which makes it look ugly and cheap. I currently have Formica countertop with that round ending and it looks just like it. I asked if they didn’t round it and they said tough- this is the way it comes. I have been so disappointed how they r going the cheap route due it to shortages and cost saving when there is wood involved in a $400K home. I will move for a few years and sell when inhale more time to buy another home. But thank u again for providing porcelain countertops- I would have liked to have this as an option- they r beautiful for sure! 👍🤗
Yikes! Sounds like your builder is not making things easy. I hope it turns out beautiful regardless! Maybe for the next home, you can consider something like porcelain.
I love stroking my worktops! 😂 thank you for this 👍🏼
Haha. I know right?!! Thanks Barb!
Thanks for introducing us to porcelain countertops. We are currently planning a kitchen renovation and are considering moving away from granite. Of course granite is great but we are expanding to a 44" x 120" island and are concerned about ending up with a seam, leaving quartz as a potentially better option. Having granite for roughly 20 years sealing is not an issue. More importantly, hot everything goes from oven or range to the counter. Not sure I believe you can't teach an old dog new tricks since I learned to not worry about hot pads on the counter, although convenience of a no-burn surface is something I am not excited to leave behind. 2 years after you posted this, where are you on porcelain vs. granite or quartz?
Interestingly enough, I just had meeting with this company a week ago. Yeah, I am still a fan of porcelain. There are more and more fabricators coming online all the time too. There is a little heat on quartz right now (no pun intended) with its upcoming ban in Australia. Aside from that, quartz is generally a great surface, but I like the heat resistant qualities of porcelain or granite even, a lot more. You'd have to check on slab size depending on who the fabricator is. You don't want a seam in that island.
Kitchen is almost done but looking at porcelain for the floor and bathroom. I will give IS a look.
Great! I can get you in touch with the North American rep if you need.
@@MTKDofficial Great.
We love this - obviously!
Hey. Thanks for commenting!!
Sodalite: soda just like the carbonated drink. Real sodalite is found in multiple places but blue sodalite from Brazil I like it the best. Sodalite beads in jewelry are beautiful
I'd love a wood-looking porcelain countertop.
Hi Mark! We’re currently building a new kitchen in our new home and all your videos have been incredibly helpful! Thank you so so much!!! You have covered so many topics yet I suggest make a video dedicating to backsplashes, especially the trendy ones that we often see on Instagram & Pinterest. That would be a great video and not many UA-camrs have a video on third topic! 😉
Hey Hana! Thanks so much for the video idea. It is something I've been planning as I am going to tile my walls in the kitchen. Just have to decide ourselves on what to go with. I wish there was a video about it. lol
Great! Looking forward to it so much! Have a wonderful day! 🤩
@@MTKDofficiali have seen that Infinity countertop in a showroom. I had not only the induction cooktop under the countertop, but also the sink in the same material like the resin ones.
I'd like to learn more about this product. Sounds interesting if it's priced significantly less than quartz and granite. It'll likely have the same two main issues as stone and quartz countertops. Ice cold to the touch in winter, just like my porcelain tiled floors that I hate, and as you mentioned it'll be prone to chipping with a hard enough impact. I have a couple of chips in the porcelain tiled floor in my kitchen. It bugs me so much because the floor is dark gray and you see the white chip marks. I still think high def laminate is the best overall bang for your buck. It lacks heat resistance, but it doesn't get ice cold, is very durable, and lasts a long time for a fraction of the price.
Hey! Yeah I am planning a follow-up to answer those questions. Stay tuned!
Please note that it will not be priced significantly less than quartz and granite. It will either be comparable in price or more expensive. It’s also more difficult and expensive to install. However if you are looking for a marble look, porcelain tops the charts in terms of the most natural looking and beautiful patterning. Most other materials simply fail to achieve a look as beautiful as porcelain because with porcelain it is printed on with a high definition printer rather than blended into a mix of resin and stone powder. But you need to be aware that it can chip on the corners more easily and if you get a chip on top of where the pattern is it will be very difficult to replicate. If you are not going for a marble look in my opinion there is no reason to get porcelain because you can get something more durable. If you are going for a marble look and like me you hate the fake looking marble patterns in the other materials it might be something to consider, but for myself with a limited budget it was not worth the excessive cost that this would create considering the fact that they do not offer any warranty against shipping and cracking, and I need my countertop to last because I can only afford to do it once I cannot afford to replace it if it breaks. It seems to me that porcelain is more a high end look for higher income people who can actually afford to spend tens of thousands of dollars on a product which may have to be replaced in the future, or do not use that area of the kitchen for high traffic cooking and heavy use for example a statement island. For a high quality slab supplied and installed in Canada it starts at around $100 per square foot. But yes it looks absolutely stunning and much better than other materials. But I can’t afford to spend tens of thousands of dollars on a material with no warranty in case it breaks in the future and I can’t afford replacement. If I had a higher budget and income I would have potentially gotten it for the look.
LAMINAM Porcelain!!!!! Boston Granite Exchange
What is the cost vs the other surfaces? How do they handle the edges?
It's (vitrified full body tile material) arguably the no. 1 choice for counter tops in IND....
I can see why. These samples are so beautiful.
What are the edge options? Are the edges added on or carved like granite and quartz?
Hey Jeffrey! Thanks for the questions. I am planning a follow-up to answer that particular question among others.
Impact resistance is important for corners and edges. I would like to see you do testing on porcelain. Also ~ can you repair if it gets damaged?
Hi Nancy. I plan on doing some testing with this material so I can really answer that question properly. Thanks for commenting!
From what I hear porcelain is still more vulnerable to chips on edges than granite or quartz. The chips on edges can be repaired but a crack cannot and then the entire slab needs to be replaced. Please be aware that if it chips on a patterned area, the pattern will not be able to be replicated because it is printed on with a high definition printer and therefore might still be visible. The look is stunning but it can be more expensive to supply and install than quartz and granite for a premium slab. It also has no warranty against chipping or breakage after installation. It looks absolutely stunning but for my budget and income level I am unable to spend this amount on a product I’m not sure will last as long. If I had in excess of the budget required and the income to afford to replace the countertops if anything happens, I would definitely go for it because the look is much better than other materials. Unfortunately for me I went for quartz instead because I can’t afford to ever replace my countertop again in the future.
Wondering what the difference is between this porcelain and Dekton? Is the porcelain a bit more impact resistant??? Loving a lot of those slabs :)
The raw material is one of the main differences. They are both sintered materials but only porcelain is a vitrified material. However, they do perform very similarly. I have a video on Dekton too.
Nice hoodie dude
Right!?
Porcelain tile countertops is preference to use in my new house kitchen countertops. It's more cheaper than the other branded countertops. Great info thank you. New subscriber here😊
Hi Irene! Thanks so much for taking the time to watch and comment. I'm really loving porcelain these days but have not considered tile. Thanks!
Where in the US can you get this product?
Oh I am watching for new ideas…like I said we break ground towards the-end of this month ….counter tops being all that you said are amazing…now…as for me here is why I chose Formica still…first I clean with bleach since our son has been recovering from stem cell transplant and doing wonderful 🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻 he is cancer free…second it’s softer when I accidentally drop plate, cup, or glass yet very resistant to scratch, heat, or cracks….I have had Formica, my mom, my mawmaw…and when we pulled it out of mawmaw house to put new Formica it still looked beautiful as she wanted a different color but it was as old as Methuselah…🤣…the choice in color and texture now are endless…so again for the quiet factor as when placing dinnerware or glasses on the top it’s not so cold….so for me as of now I am convinced Formica high definition is the perfect counter top for me….but please keep these videos coming….funny🤣🤣🤣🤣😂😂😂😂🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣and always looking to learn..ty Mr Tobin…much success to you and your Family👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻🔨🛠🔧❤️
Hey Darlene! So glad about your son! That is the best news!
And yes Formica! I'm also a fan and have zero issue with it as a surface choice. I always appreciate your comments! Thanks so much!
What about seams?
Great video man! Those slabs are really nice!!!Love your sweater! Where can I find out more about Twenty Minute Guitar Player!?😉😉
Haha! That is my new favourite sweater. So comfy! Thanks Rob!
What’s the weight of a slab of the porcelain say in contrast to a slab of granite? Thanks enjoyed the video, great info.
Blah blah blah, ok I finally got to the benefits. I am sold.
Cook through it? I guess we don't need the blowtorch for this one.
Oh, I'll still have plans to blowtorch some of these samples lol. For sure!
@@MTKDofficial 🔥
I'd like to know what edges are available. It isn't the same all the way through, is it ? So the edges are just a solid color unless mitred ? What do undermount sink cutouts look like ? This would have to be MUCH cheaper than granite and quartzite for me to even consider it unless the edging issues are better than it seems from the samples you showed.
Great questions! I am going to use these for a follow-up video with more in-depth answers.
@@MTKDofficial let me know if you want a photo of the porcelain counters we had installed in Salt Lake City.
Cal-a-cat-ta, not Calcutta. ;) I love the Ocean Blue, too.
How do you finish the edges?
The most common is a standard eased edge. I believe it's mitred. But that may depend on the manufacturer.
so glad you did this! i want to get porcelain for both counters and back splash but am having trouble finding it in my area (lancaster, PA USA)
Hey Adrienne. send an email to mark@mtkd.ca
I'll get you some details on where the closest supplier/fabricator is.
I’m in NJ and had a similar issue. Ended up with quartzite because the cost when I finally did find two fabricators was way more than my budget. I really wanted porcelain though.
@@tspfull Was one of them a place called Arena?
@@MTKDofficial nope. garden State Tile who sources the slab. They work with two different fabricators and got me quotes from them. I reached out to countless other fabricators who just never got back to me.
@@MTKDofficial wow! that's above and beyond! thank you
Can we used this for walls or floor too..
Yes you can.
@@MTKDofficial thank you for quick reply.. Okay il be using it..
Benchtop must be heat safe and stain proof. If we use the same finish in the kitchen and the bathroom, it's going to have to resist both turmeric and black hair dye. Scratches and impacts are less of a concern, but I might put in a patch of something impact-safe somewhere for pounding meat in case we ever do that - personally I prefer my meat tenderised with a marinade, but I'm not the cook.
On current estimates, we're probably going to end up with a porcelain tile, because they're vastly cheaper than solid benchtops, and if they're big tiles they at least won't have a lot of grout lines to deal with. Nobody in my household is a fan of grout lines.
Not available in the US?
Hey. It is available. Just had a client use them in New Jersey area. There are fabricators all around. I think they need an US website. But if you were interested, I can get you the contact in NYC.
Hi , for floor which is better porcelain or ceramic ?
Good question. My answer is purely opinion only. Porcelain.
Do they install this stuff or am I supposed to assume a tiler will know how to install this well?
I didn't find any installation install on their website
They have fabricators set up throughout North America. If you contact them they can assist you in the installation. If you're really serious, email me and I'll get you in touch with the North American rep. mark@mtkd.ca
@@MTKDofficial I was more curious about how install works and pricing. I am getting tired of granite, marble, quartz and such options so this was a very unique option.
If I get serious about it, I will email you - right now it's a fanciful thought
The choice of matte or polished, will the polished get scratched up?
No it won't scratch. You can take a screwdriver to it and it'll be fine.
The site is not available in the USA.
Check out their main site for colours. They have many dealers in the states, just reach out to them for details.
So the thickest porcelain is 3/4 of an inch ?
Couldn’t say for certain as other manufacturers might have differing thicknesses. Most people are used to the 1 1/4” thickness of quartz or natural stones and this can seem thin.
Mark are you in California?
Reason to ask is I would like recommendation on how to improve my kitchen we are in California Bay Area.
Canada eh
Thank you. Awesomely funny and informative as per usual. Your wife really afraid of sharks?
Hey Ashlinn! Thanks so much! And, "yes" she will barely get in a pool. lol
Super helpful… thinking of this over quartz. Do you know if it is anti microbial like quartz?
Great! Glad it helped. Yes, it is about as non porous a surface you can find.
No worries there.
I'd read that porcelain chips more easily especially at the rim of the sink and that's why I went with quartz
That may be an issue to watch for for sure. I hadn't heard that, but its good to know! Thanks!
Also curious about the cost? Is it hard to get? Thanks
The pricing will be similar to quartz, but on the high side. It also depends on the fabricators mark up for installation. So in the range of $90 - $180 sq/ft (installed) This can vary depending on the slab thickness and on the fabricator. More and more fabricators are picking up this material in the U.S. and Canada, but you would need to contact Infinity to find out about your specific area. I think as it gains popularity in the market, it will become less expensive and more widely available. Hope that helps.
Thanks Mark for the informative introduction. I would also like to courier you some sintered stone samples for your reference. May I? Thank you for your time
Hi and thanks for reaching out. My email is mark@mtkd.ca
Reach out there and we can chat.
can i Use meat hammer to make the meat tenderer and flatter without breaking the counter top?
I wouldn't
I really really wanted to use this for my countertops. Took me about 6 weeks to find anyone to give me a quote. Then the two I was able to get were 2k more than my preferred quartzite slab. I chose the quartzite.
Yikes! That's quite a difference, but good to know. I think the mark-up on the fabrication is where the price really starts to skyrocket. Thanks for the comment.
This is my ideal countertop. Is it pricier than quartz?
The price depends on the fabricator. But.. I'm thinking overall, the price is a bit higher.
@@MTKDofficial Thank you Mark!
Hi Mark, one more question. Sometimes I chop chicken with a cleaver on wood cutting board, I wonder what kind of counter would you suggest? Thank you!
@@helenmak5663 A wood cutting board is the best surface for chopping. I wouldn't recommend anything better. Especially how it treats your knives and the noice. But interns of just scratch resistance, I think Porcelain is the way to go. Or something ultra compact like Dekton.
@@MTKDofficial Thank you so much, Mark!
Price?
Most venders will be on the high side of quartz as a comparison. but it all comes down to the fabricator/installer and the amount of margin they are trying to get.
We just got a quote from a company for quartz for $2440 and for porcelain $6600!!! Why the huge difference?
I think partly it has to do with the over abundance of quartz in the market. Everyone sells quartz and therefor the price has to be very competitive. Porcelain is not in that same category. It is still "newer" in the market and not everyone offers it. It's also partly to do with fabrication and installation. And I think it's partly to do with quality. There may be other factors like the markup at point of sale. They may be getting 25% markup out of you for quartz but trying to get 45% on the porcelain. Long answer, sorry.
@@MTKDofficial I so appreciate the reply! I called a company yesterday to ask about the difference btwn porcelain countertop slabs vs the extra large format porcelain slabs sold at so many tile shops. I was seeing these beautiful porcelain slabs, the exact depth of kitchen countertops, 10mm thickness, and like 5' long (sorry, going btwn metric and us systems b/c our Reno is actually in Ireland!). I kept thinking, "ok, aside from a few grout lines, is there actually any difference in MATERIAL between the countertop slabs used (which are charging the 6 grand price) vs. these large format tiles used (which are like MAX $500 for the whole kitchen countertops). once the guy I was speaking to realised he wasn't going to get a job out of me, but I said I'd leave a great review for his company, he explained that "no, there is no difference in material". 😆 BUT, apparently the process to install and cut the tiles is pretty involved, and that's the reason for the mark up. I found this so interesting. Like, the stuff we buy cheap cheap for our floors and walls in the bathroom is the same material being marked up sooo high for the countertops...but the difference is the install? Still not entirely sure why the install is so much harder than say, large format wall tiles, but I trust the guy anyway. Unless someone else has more information to share! :)))
Thanks! Great info! Question…I don’t hear much about thermal shock damage in relationship with countertop materials. Generally, are certain materials more or less prone to this kind of damage?
Also… some what related…. I’m looking a a work station sink. Regardless of drop-in or under mount, there doesn’t appear to be much room for the faucet. It’s very tight to the backsplash. Even a Home Depot advertisement for the sink shows the faucet rubbing the window trim just above the sink. Can you pull the cabinet(s) forward to accommodate? What other design changes would be necessary, or a “good idea” when doing this? Is there a suggested amount to pull the sink cabinet forward? Should you pull the whole line of cabinets ( in line with the sink cabinet). Do the needs to accommodate this sink change for different layouts, ie L-shape vs Galley vs U-shape. Finally… what if you use the farmhouse sink version? Anything change or other suggestions? Hhhmmm. I bet you could do a video on just this subject! Thanks!
Hey Patty! Great questions.
Most engineered stones are somewhat susceptible to thermo shock in varying degrees. Porcelain is not as well as other sintered stones like Dekton. However, in all my years I've never actually seen it happen in a residential installation. So...?
You can certainly pull the sink cabinet. Usually it's 3". Leave the other cabinets at standard depth. This can be done by either pulling the cabinet itself or having the cabinet made that way. I've done both. It's a nice look and solves the problem of the faucet. Thank you for this. I am working on a sink video right now and I didn't even think of this.
Perfect timing. :)
@@MTKDofficial Wow! Thanks for the super quick reply and great extra info! I look forward to your new video on the subject. Hu- I actually just look forward to your next video!
How about slate or product that looks like slate?
I think there are some porcelain slabs that have the slate look. As well, a lot of manufacturers have slate as a design. Actual slate stone is a great choice. It's non-porous and very hard. The edges my be slightly brittle, but that's with any surface really. Not sure why it isn't as popular though.
So who carries this line of product in the U.S. ? Enjoy all the information you publish. Thanks . We will be sending you our kitchen floorplan for a design in a few days!
Hi Randy! Thanks so much. There is a dealer in the NY area and others around the country as well. I'm in touch with Infinity Surfaces and can help you out down the line. Look forward to hearing from you.
@@MTKDofficial I found a dealer in California, was looking for one in Arizona. Thanks
Any dealers in the Atlanta area?
Love the video, I’m trying to redo my tiny 1 wall kitchen and looking at different countertop materials. Since my dated kitchen is very very little, the cost of materials may not be outrageous. However the accessibility to the porcelain may be an issue. I’m torn between laminate and butcher block since they are light, inexpensive, easily accessible and can be DIY project. Please do a butcher block video if you have time.
Hey Tara! Thanks so much. I'll update on availability in a future video. Really good point.
But if you are choosing laminate and butcher block, I prefer laminate. Less to take care of, very cost effective, massive selection, pretty resilient to normal wear and tear. Butcher block makes a great accent on an island to nook. That's my opinion of course and lots of people would choose butcher block over laminate.
The cost difference between a small porcelain countertop and a large porcelain countertop may only be a few hundred dollars. Porcelain countertops are expensive because of the cost of cuts (for the sink and stovetop for example) and delivery. IMHO, butcher block is a bad idea due to the poor water resistance and maintenance that goes along with it. Laminate is definitely the way to go. It's the cheapest option with infinite designs, fantastic durability and low maintenance.
Butcher blocks get moldy if you don’t recoat them
These look stunning however, when building a home we are locked into the vendors the builder uses. Feels like we can't really get what we want sometimes. Otherwise some of those look amazing and not just for countertop use; give me an Ocean Blue toilet!
Yeah that can be an issue for sure with builders. You can negotiate to source certain things out yourself, but you also have the responsibility of making sure it is right.
vitrified = petrified, i.e. to turn into rock.
The etymological origin of this word is PTR (think of Peter), which means rock.
Cool. Thanks for the info.
It’s soda-lite as in soda pop. Just FYI😀
Haha. thanks! That's good to know!
porcelain CHIPS. And when it does, what you see is WHITE CHIPS because the color is only on the surface.
They are not even selling in the U.S. 😭😭😭😭😭😭
Yes they are. They have fabricators with their slabs in a bunch of places. The ones I know for sure is L.A., Boston, NY and Tampa. But if you reach out they can give you a full list. 👍🏼
@@MTKDofficial that's awesome. Thank you Mark. I'm sending emails right now.
@@momomate0415 Let me know how you make out. I can steer you to their guy in the US.
Just drop me an email at mark@mtkd.ca
@@MTKDofficial I sent out emails to them, but didn't get any response. Sad. Thanks Mark.
Lol, my wife pays about as much attention as yours!
These "color" combinations leave me speechlessly BORED! Drab, unexciting combinations of gray and marbled blue-gray. Horrible. How about bright mono-colors for a change? I for one am sick of seeing kitchens fitted with quartz and granite countertops that all look the same - like a dreary day in a rainy Scandinavian city. YUCK!
Leave the Scandinavians out of it.