#TILED COUNTERTOPS SERIES#

All porcelain countertop edges must be created during fabrication, so measurements also need to be very precise. Because a glazed porcelain is shiny only on the outside, and because the pattern is only on the surface, the edge shapes are limited to those shapes that don’t grind down beyond the finish. In terms of decor and style, edge finishing is the one area where porcelain tile is somewhat limited. The type of countertop will determine the installation type and materials as well as the cost of the porcelain itself.

#TILED COUNTERTOPS SERIES#

Porcelain countertops can be built from one or more large slabs of porcelain bonded to a solid subsurface such as plywood or an old countertop, or they can be crafted from a series of smaller tiles arranged in mastic (a resin used as an adhesive for tile) and grouted into place. The average cost per square foot is between $50 and $70, including materials and labor. The material cost and labor are based on the square footage, as are the costs of finishing and edging. Countertop SizeĮverything about the cost of a porcelain countertop hinges on the size of the surface area to be covered. How are the costs of a porcelain countertop determined? As with all countertops, size is the first consideration, and the finish options and the costs of installation are significant considerations as well. Factors in Calculating Porcelain Countertops Cost There are, however, some considerations that will affect how much porcelain countertops cost, and understanding those factors can help homeowners set a reasonable budget for this project. So yes, porcelain is excellent for countertops, and no, it’s not that fragile. It can chip or crack, but once installed, it can take quite a significant impact. Porcelain is almost impossible to scratch unless someone uses a ceramic knife directly on the surface with some force. The material doesn’t burn when a hot pot is placed on it, and if it’s glazed, it becomes nonporous, so stains aren’t an issue. The result is a hard material that can be fashioned into tiles or slabs with a thickness that holds up extremely well once it’s mounted to a solid surface (usually plywood or an existing countertop). But is porcelain good for countertops? Are porcelain countertops durable? And isn’t it a fragile material? Porcelain teacups may seem that way, but given the number of antique and vintage porcelain cups still in use, it can’t be that fragile! Porcelain is made by bonding natural white kaolin clay with minerals such as feldspar, mica, and other naturally occurring strengtheners, then dried and cured by firing it at extremely high temperatures for a long period of time.

Tiled countertops