At Washington Marble Works, we offer top-of-the-line porcelain slabs that would be a great asset in any kitchen. But some people—especially those who are partial to natural stone countertops—may not be quite convinced of porcelain’s worth.
Here’s the thing: porcelain has all the qualities that you love about natural stone but with none of the maintenance and upkeep.
Natural stone slabs can have fissures that have the potential to cause severe damage. They can also stain and etch. Most of them also need to be sealed. Porcelain has none of these traits.
In this article, you’ll learn just what porcelain is and why we love it as a kitchen countertop material.
What Is Porcelain?
Porcelain is a durable material made out of white china clay and powdered china stone. This mixture is heated at 2,600 degrees Fahrenheit, then coated with a pigmented glaze in order to give the look of natural stone.
These man-made stones are nonporous, meaning they never have to be sealed. Even without sealant, they don’t allow bacteria and germs to collect on their surface—because the surface doesn’t have pores for them to collect inside.
Porcelain countertops are scratch resistant and heat resistant too, which are two qualities of natural stone that people fawn over.
All of these details make porcelain a great choice for the kitchen.
Porcelain Durability
Porcelain is so hard that, if you slice food on its surface, it’s likely that your knife will become dull. For this reason, we recommend always using a cutting board.
Since porcelain is nonporous, you don’t have to worry about stains from food, drinks, or condiments finding their way onto your countertop.
Since porcelain is created at such high temperatures, there’s no way it takes any issue with hot pots and pans. Although, to avoid thermal shock (damage from going from one extreme temperature to the other), we recommend always using a hot pad or trivet.
Very little maintenance goes into porcelain countertops. They’re easy to clean—all you need is a soft, damp cloth and mild detergent to make sure they shine.
Porcelain Style
If the durability isn’t enough to convince you that porcelain is a great kitchen countertop material, it will surely win you over with its versatile designs. Because it’s a man-made material, there are a variety of colors available and endless possibilities for styling and design. No matter the aesthetic of your kitchen, whether you have a vibe that’s traditional and rustic or sleek and contemporary, there is always a way for porcelain to look right at home.
Choosing Porcelain
At Washington Marble Works, we are big fans of porcelain and would be happy to answer any questions you may have about this versatile material. To learn more about it, stop in and see us or give us a call today at (253) 891-1823.
