Setting purchase expectations for Dekton and Porcelain Countertops
For many years now, natural stones like granite and marble and manufactured quartz products have been the popular go-tos for countertop surfaces. Though they remain leaders in the field, other surfaces such as Dekton ultracompact surfacing and porcelain slabs have been increasing in exposure and demand. These rising materials lend themselves well to many of the current design trends and provide homeowners with both a durable and stylish surface. Let’s explore what you can realistically expect from a countertop or surface cladding made of Dekton or porcelain.
These surfaces are extremely hard and dense, so you will typically find them in a 2cm thickness or thinner, compared to the 3cm that has been widely accepted as the thickness for natural stone or quartz. This thinner material with a more modern look necessitates a more limited array of countertop edge profiles, with additional thickness being achieved by mitering the edges – this adds to the overall cost due to the labor-intensive process. Further, due to the overall hardness, these miters may exhibit some “chatter” marks on the edge, especially for certain colors or finishes. Ask your fabricator to see an example in their showroom or to have a sample made up prior to purchase so that you will know what to expect prior to installation day. Also relating to the hardness of these surfaces, all design decisions, like sink and faucet choices along with any outlet locations, should be made prior to fabrication because it’s very difficult to achieve an aesthetically desired outcome by adding field cuts – any cut-outs need to be handled in your fabricator’s shop and not at a job site.
Dekton Entzo22 with 3”mitered edge detail
As mentioned, these thinner materials provide a more contemporary look overall and their patterns can look very much like natural stone with either matte or mirror shine finishes. With their thinner thicknesses, they are ideal for design opportunities like full-height backsplashes, shower walls, and fireplace cladding. When selecting for a countertop it’s important to keep in mind that many of these materials are not through-body – meaning that the design is only on the face and may not run throughout the body of the material as with natural stone or quartz. This feature may influence what edge treatment you ultimately decide on.
MSI Stile Porcelain in Calacatta Marbella; eased edge detail
Upkeep for either Dekton or porcelain materials is relatively simple. Daily cleaning with a mild soap and water should take care of most things. Keep in mind that with selections that have a mirror polish, you will see fingerprints and smudges more readily. Although durable and hard, we recommend using trivets and cutting boards to keep your purchase looking its best. If you are not yet familiar with the Dekton product or porcelain slab options, you may want to add them to the list of possibilities for your next countertop and/or wall cladding home improvement project. Schedule a showroom appointment at your fabricator’s facility today to explore all the different eye-catching and functional options.
