There are many types of materials you can use for home improvement, but one of the most popular and perhaps the most sought after is porcelain, in spite of its high price. Why is porcelain very expensive? Keep on reading as we give some of the factors that affect the price of porcelain.
Porcelain Overview
Porcelain has been the best choice for worktops and bathrooms for many years now. This is an ideal choice if you want to obtain a contemporary or modern kitchen style with spotless lines and a sleek finish.
The materials utilized for porcelain go through a firing process, which makes them durable and very strong. As a matter of fact, due to this process, some porcelains are 30 percent stronger compared to other materials like granite. Combined with a stain, heat as well as water-resistant finish, this makes porcelain material easy to maintain.
The Reason behind the High Cost of Porcelain
Porcelain material will let bright light go through it. In spite of its amazing strength, there is a tendency of chipping and is tinged naturally with grey, or it’s fired at a higher temperature, and so it is hard and costly to produce.
How Much Is a Porcelain Countertop?
Porcelain countertop prices begin at £1900, which include supply, templates well as installation, which is like the setup cost of a low to a middle range granite worktop. On the other hand, with regards to the price as raw material, you can have it for a low price.
Porcelain might appear a bit costly as opposed to other materials like natural stones and quartz. This is simply because it is harder and stronger than quartz, and so it needs more labour, including fabrication as well as installation. On the other hand, the value of this material lies in the reality that it feels and looks totally diverse to other ceramics and materials and at the same time available as bigger slabs. So, it means it would need less or no grout at all with lots of areas is wrapped by one slab only.
The installation of porcelain worktops must be done by professionals, making sure an ideal final design. Not many porcelain installers in the UK can work with this material since special machinery and tool is needed with cutting or when fabricating. However, the price can go down if the material becomes more common and more installers get used to dealing with it.
Sizes and Thickness
Porcelain is available in an array of designs in various thicknesses and colours. You can pick porcelain slabs of 3200mm by 1500mm and 3200mm by 1600mm. Also, you can choose from thicknesses of 3mm, 5mm as well as 5+3mm thickness ideal for cladding usages; you can also pick from 6mm, 12mm as well as 12mm.
Price Comparison
The cost of granite for every square meter is £270, which is cheaper than porcelain; however, high-end models might cost you £450 for every square metre. Marble, on the other hand, will cost you £315 for every square metre. If you opt to marble, you should be 100% certain that you handle it with care. Marble is absorbent and has a light-colored surface, which food and wine can stain easily.
Quartz is available for £475 for every square metre. Some cost half the price while others cost £900. This is a human-made material that takes a lot of resources to create.
Ceramic is also man-made, but compare to quartz; this is 100% natural. The process of making is complex and takes a lot of time.
Why Consider Porcelain in Spite of Its High Price
Despite its soaring price, a lot of homeowners in the UK still prefer porcelain over other materials. Below are some of the reasons:
Many Shaded Available: Your worktop or bathrooms have to be presentable and look amazing. Varied pigmentation of the materials in the making of porcelain makes a wide array of hues and colors, so you will find many which will match your kitchen decoration or of you are developing for a refurbished or new kitchen. Colour change or discolouration isn’t an issue as well. Porcelain provides the most choices, but slabs in diverse hues are made too.
Many Patterns Available: Pigmentation is used to provide this material the appearance of marble as well as other natural stones, which have veining. Patterns and pigments combine to provide you with amazing choices.
Many Finishes On Hand: Polished and matte surfacing choices provide you with options for the finished look of the porcelain worktop. You can mitre edges in many designs to boost the look or appearance.
30 Percent Tougher than Granite: Some don’t believe this fact, but it is true. Porcelain surface strength is obtained in the firing process; therefore, porcelain resists scratches, chipping, wear and tear, and cracks.
Durability is Remarkable and Unparallel: Because of the amazing strength of this material, porcelain lasts for many years. With the price being higher than other materials, though less than natural stones- the investment is balanced by its longevity.
Super Lightweight Slabs: The first type of porcelain features slabs ¾ inches thick and very heavy, now, porcelain is available in just 3/16 inch thick, though some thicknesses are on hand.
No Sealing is Needed: Yes, you heard it right. Not like natural stone, which needs sealing after setting up and researching every year to avoid potential issues, porcelain does not ever need to be sealed. This undergoes fire glazing methods which serve as a reliable barrier to moisture and offers remarkable stain resistance.
Easy to Clean: Porcelain has a glaze, which generates a water-resistant surface, which is easy to clean. You can use warm water and a clean cloth to get rid of a stain. You can also use ammonia and other strong chemicals without the fret of causing damage to your porcelain. Not like other materials that are sensitive to cleaning solutions, you can use any cleaners to porcelain. Also, no surface is 100 percent stain proof, but this material comes close. The fact that it’s non-porous, so it will not absorb liquids, and the rare stain is normally on the surface, which can be cleaned easily.