Quartz or Porcelain? The 5-Minute Guide That Saves Years of Regret.

Choosing countertops is like selecting what kind of clothing to wear. Both are profoundly personal choices determined by individual preferences, lifestyles, and budgets. Porcelain kitchen countertops and quartz kitchen countertops are engineered surfaces that bode well in homes and commercial spaces. This guide cuts through the marketing hype to reveal which material truly works best for your lifestyle and budget!

Porcelain vs. Quartz Countertops: 9 Factors to Consider

Wondering whether to choose porcelain or quartz countertops? Here’s a quick guide to help you compare key features and make the right choice for your kitchen upgrade.

#1. APPEARANCE

What is porcelain made of? This kaolinite-rich countertop contains silica, feldspar, and mineral oxides. Commonly called “China Clay”, porcelain comes in a variety of colors, with blacks, grays, browns, and whites remaining the most coveted.

Also, man-made, quartz countertops have quartz chips and dust bound together by resin. Unlike porcelain, some of these countertops have a mottled or speckled appearance caused by small individual stones suspended in the resin.

Winner: Tie

Why: Porcelain offers a variety of colors, while quartz has a unique mottled appearance due to stones, making it a matter of personal preference.

#2. FINISH

Porcelain countertops don’t have as many finish options. The two most popular are high-gloss glaze and matte. This is because the finish is applied during the manufacturing process, as opposed to other stones that receive their finish through sealing.

Quartz countertop finishes can be honed, polished, or leathered. Polished quartz is highly reflective, honed is matte, and velvety to the touch, while a leathered countertop has a soft sheen.

Winner: Quartz

Why: Quartz provides more finish options, including honed, polished, and leathered.

#3. DURABILITY

Quartz is virtually indestructible, as is porcelain. But just how durable are porcelain countertops? Approximately 30% more than granite. Both options are stronger than this favored natural stone. However, porcelain kitchen countertops are thinner and fragile during installation.

Porcelain is lighter than quartz, but these slabs often crack or break entirely. Quartz countertops’ durability trumps when it comes to installation in terms of breakages. While heavier, they can be bought in prefabricated slabs and are less finicky.

Industry certifications matter. Both materials meet rigorous standards:

• Quartz: NSF certified for food safety, meets GREENGUARD Gold standards for low emissions.
• Porcelain: Meets ANSI A137.3 standards for gauge porcelain tile panels.
• Both exceed ASTM C1026 for freeze-thaw resistance, making them suitable for all climates.

Pro tip: Always verify your chosen product carries these certifications — it’s your guarantee of quality.*

Winner: Quartz

Why: Quartz is virtually indestructible and less fragile during installation.

#4. HEAT RESISTANCE

We often get asked, “Is porcelain heat resistant?” The most significant difference between porcelain countertops vs. quartz is their level of heat resistance. Porcelain withstands heat well and is completely unaffected by direct sunlight.

Quartz heat resistance isn’t as strong. While laying down a hot pot on a quartz countertop won’t damage its surface immediately, quartz can warp or discolor over time. As with most countertops, you should use a trivet to prevent discoloration and/or cracking.

Winner: Porcelain

Why: Porcelain is more heat-resistant; quartz can warp or discolor over time.

#5. SCRATCH RESISTANCE

Due to its hard and compact surface, porcelain countertops chip, scratch, and crack from blunt force. When porcelain breaks, it leaves sharp, jagged edges that require professional care to restore the surface to its original luster.

In contrast, a quartz countertops’ scratch-resistant threshold is higher. However, it isn’t scratch-proof. While it’s very hard to scratch, if enough force is applied, a scratch will appear. Overall, quartz countertops can withstand wear and tear with little evidence.

Winner: Quartz

Why: Quartz has a higher scratch-resistant threshold.

#6. EDGE OPTIONS

Quartz countertop edge options outnumber porcelain. Because porcelain is thinner than quartz, there are fewer edging options available. Mitered or square edges are commonly used to create the illusion of a thicker countertop surface, offering limited design options.

On the other hand, quartz countertop edge options include full bullnose, ogee, beveled and straight. Its edging diversity complements all kinds of kitchen styles, from traditional to transitional and modern.

Winner: Quartz

Why: Quartz offers more edge options, complementing various kitchen styles.

#7. MAINTENANCE

Porcelain and quartz countertop maintenance weigh up pretty evenly. Regular cleaning with a damp microfiber cloth and a neutral liquid detergent or soft sponge is sufficient. Be sure to wipe countertops dry after cleaning and stay away from strong chemicals like bleach.

Neither countertop requires sealing, reducing costs associated with other natural stone countertops like marble and granite. When it comes to porcelain versus quartz countertops, maintenance is easy as long as you keep a hand on it.

Winner: Tie

Why: Both require easy maintenance, including regular cleaning and no need for sealing.

#8. INSTALLATION

Perhaps the one advantage when it comes to the installation of quartz vs. porcelain countertops is that porcelain countertops can be installed on top of existing countertops without moving the existing countertop surface.

Quartz countertops are heavy and should only be installed on cabinetry, so existing countertops will need to be removed. In some cases, new cabinetry has to be installed as well to support these heavy slabs.

Winner: Porcelain

Why: Porcelain can be installed on top of existing countertops, while quartz requires existing countertops to be removed.

#9. COST

Porcelain countertops cost and quartz countertops costs are different. The average price of porcelain slabs is between $55 to $120 per square foot, while the average cost of quartz countertops is around $45 to $200 per square foot.

Remember, the stone color, patterning, and amount needed to complete your ideal countertop design will determine the price. Quartz may turn out to be cheaper if you have a smaller surface area to cover.

Winner: Tie

Why: Cost varies based on factors like color and surface area; quartz may be cheaper for smaller areas.

PORCELAIN VS. QUARTZ: PROS AND CONS

Naturally, there are quartz countertops pros and cons, but when compared to porcelain, quartz has more depth. Patterns on porcelain lack depth because they’re only surface-deep.

Quartz is made from crushed rock, resin, polymers, and sometimes pigments. When manufactured, they permeate the entire slab, providing it with a depth that adds rich texture to this manufactured stone.

Feature	Porcelain	Quartz
Look	Varied patterns	Deep, rich
Finish	Gloss/Matte	3 options
Durability	Fragile install	Rock-solid
Heat	Excellent	Good
Scratches	Chips easily	Resists well
Edges	2 styles	6+ styles
Care	Easy	Easy
Install	Over existing	New only
Cost	$55-120/sq ft	$45-200/sq ft

Your Kitchen, Your Choice: A Quick Guide

Choose QUARTZ if you:

✔️ Have active kids or pets: Quartz handles drops, spills, and daily chaos without chipping.
✔️Want worry-free maintenance: No sealing, no special cleaners, just wipe and go.
✔️Love consistent patterns: Every inch looks perfect with no surprises.
✔️Need maximum durability: Install once, enjoy for decades without repairs.

Choose PORCELAIN if you:

✔️Love to cook with high heat: Set hot pans directly on the surface without worry.
✔️ Want ultra-thin profiles: Create sleek, modern looks with 6mm thin slabs.
✔️Have existing countertops to cover: Save money by installing over current surfaces.
✔️Prefer unique patterns: Each slab offers one-of-a-kind veining and movement.

Still not sure? Answer these 3 questions:

1. What’s your biggest kitchen concern?

• Durability → Quartz
• Heat resistance → Porcelain

2. What’s your installation situation?

• Starting fresh → Quartz
• Covering existing → Porcelain

3. What’s your style priority?

• Consistent beauty → Quartz
• Unique character → Porcelain

The 80/20 rule: 80% of homeowners find quartz meets all their needs, while 20% need porcelain’s specific advantages. Unless you regularly place blazing hot cookware directly on countertops or need to cover existing surfaces, quartz typically offers the best overall value.

The Bottom Line: Quartz Wins for Most Homeowners

While porcelain offers unique benefits, quartz delivers superior long-term value through unmatched durability, easier installation, and proven performance. After 30+ years in the market, quartz has earned its reputation as the worry-free countertop choice.

Ready to see quartz options in person? At Granite Selection, we stock Cambria, MSI Q, and Caesarstone quartz in colors to match any style. Call us at (888) 906 3317 to find out more, or click here to browse our extensive quartz selection with specials.