Sleek and elegant, the porcelain benchtop has seen a dramatic uplift in popularity as of late. Having a slab of smooth porcelain adorn your kitchen brings an air of polish and purity, and it comes as no surprise that it has upheaved engineered stone in trendiness.
Why the Porcelain Shift?
In 2024, Australia became the first country in the world to ban engineered stone due to concerns surrounding silica dust exposure among workers. Because of this, preferences have skewed towards alternative materials, such as porcelain and acrylic. In an article by Metropol, over 40% of kitchen designers in New Zealand cited porcelain as their benchtop material of choice, being durable, low-maintenance, and flexible with design choices. In addition, clients are shifting towards lighter, more natural tones, which porcelain easily compliments, elevating a kitchen to be both timeless and modern.
What does Porcelain Offer?
Porcelain is the most performant among benchtop materials, being heat-resistant, hygienic, and strong in the face of UV – which means it won’t fade or yellow over time. Unlike concrete and timber, porcelain is non-porous, which means it won’t absorb liquid or house germs. Being all-capable, however, also comes with a bigger price tag. Typically seen among the high-end of benchtop materials, porcelain can cost 30% more than engineered stone.
Porcelain benchtops serve as a rare example of being highly effective in both form and function. With the potential to last a lifetime, porcelain serves as a prime material choice if it’s within your budget.
Sources:
Kitchens channel soft neutral tones – Metropol
Kitchen Benchtop Costs in NZ: Granite, Laminate, Porcelain & More – Little Giant Interiors
