The Benefits of Ceramic Worktops
There are many things to consider when choosing materials for your new kitchen: colour palette, design style, durability and budget. One of the most important finishing touches to any kitchen is the worktop, and with so many options available, it’s important to do due diligence and consider all of your options to choose the best worktop for you and your home.
As each year passes, materials and products are refined, evolved and elevated to offer new exciting design possibilities and functionality. Engineered worktop materials have advanced radically as people look for alternatives to coveted materials such as marble which are aesthetically striking but aren’t as robust as other natural stone options.
One worktop material that is gaining in popularity is ceramic. In this blog, we take a specific look at ceramic worktops, their benefits and why you might consider the material for your home.
What are Ceramic Worktops?
Ceramics – also known as ultra-compact worktops or sintered stone – are engineered surfaces produced by combining mineral colourings and ceramic clays – also known as kaolin. Whereas natural stone is formed and compressed over hundreds of years, ceramic worktops are pressed during production to create the shape. A pattern, colour or texture is then digitally printed onto the slab. Finally, the slabs are fired at incredibly high temperatures of over 1000 °C – and under pressure. The result is a supremely durable, engineered, yet natural slab.
What are the benefits of ceramic worktops for the kitchen?
Our designers share their top benefits of ceramic worktops below. First, we’d like to mention that we are basing our advice on the products we offer here at KCA, so we always advise you to speak to your designer to know the specifications of the material.
1. Ceramic Worktops Are Exceptionally Durable
Ceramic is extremely hard-wearing and durable enough to withstand even the most demanding family kitchens.
As a non-porous material, ceramic is water resistant making it the perfect choice for a kitchen or bathroom. High-quality ceramics are resistant to spills, even from chemicals such as bleach. The low water absorption rate means it’s even frost and ice-resistant, not that we expect much of that in your kitchen, but it’s nice to know. Furthermore, high-quality ceramic worktops are UV resistant, making them excellent for kitchens bathed in natural sunlight.
Compared to other worktop materials, ceramic has exceptional scratch and heat resistance. Theoretically, the material is so robust that you could chop directly on the worktop surface. We wouldn’t advise this, as knives can still leave a metal transfer; however, it demonstrates how durable the material is to withstand light scratches, such as from keys, oven racks and trays. The firing process means ceramic slabs are resistant to hot pans and trays too.
Naturally, it’s not indestructible. The material can crack under brute force or chip, but with reasonable care will last for many years.
2. Ceramic Worktops are Easy to Maintain
The beauty of ceramic is that it doesn’t require sealing, making it a low-maintenance option for your kitchen. Ceramic worktops do not require harsh chemicals or a considerable amount of elbow grease to keep them clean; a soft cloth and your regular kitchen cleaner keep your worktops looking their best.
3. Ceramic Worktops Come in a Wide Variety of Colours & Finishes
As an engineered material, ceramic slabs are manufactured in various colours and patterns, from plain surfaces, granite, and marble, to concrete, wood and bold statement colours. The range of finishes is increasing, with new variations released every year.
One feature that makes ceramic so unique is that, unlike natural materials, ceramic slabs have incomparable colour and pattern consistency. This means that when creating a book-matched look, the mirrored results can be perfect, and pattern joins in the worktop or splashback can be seamless.
4. Ceramic Worktops Can Create the Look of Marble
This is one of the main reasons why people love ceramics and arguably what they are best known for. With a ceramic worktop, you can achieve the look of a swish Italian marble without worrying about stains and ongoing maintenance. This is because marble is naturally soft and porous, so we don’t recommend it as a worktop.
It’s important to mention that not all ceramics are equal. Cheaper versions will feature less detailed printing techniques and aren’t as convincing. However, it can be hard for the untrained eye to spot the difference between high-quality ceramic and marble.
5. Ceramic Worktops Can be Fabricated Like Natural Stone
Ceramic slabs can be created in varying thicknesses from 8-30mm to create different looks and features throughout the kitchen. The slabs can be produced in large formats up to 3 metres and over a metre wide, making them ideal for large features such as kitchen islands.
As ceramic can be mitred and used as cladding, you can create a chunky stone that looks like a solid slab at a fraction of the cost of natural stone. It is also a fantastic material for splashbacks. In fact, ceramic slabs are so versatile that they can be used for outdoor spaces, worktops, flooring, splashbacks, and bathrooms.
6. Ceramic Worktops Are Hygienic
Porcelain ceramic is a hygienic solution for moist and humid surroundings such as your kitchen. Ceramics don’t release any harmful substances, creating a hygienic, waterproof workspace that can easily be wiped clean. The material is resistant to mildew, mould and bacteria thanks to its pore-less structure, making it safe for direct contact with food.
7. Ceramic Worktops are Natural
Quality-engineered ceramics are made without additives, making them an entirely natural product and a sustainable choice. What’s more, at KCA, the ceramic supplier we use offsets 100% of their CO2 emissions over the entire product lifecycle and it’s the only carbon-neutral surface on the market.
8. Ceramic Worktops are More Affordable
While decisions for your new kitchen should never be based purely on price, it is helpful to know that ceramic worktops are more affordable than granite or quartz.
We hope you’ve enjoyed learning more about ceramic worktops.
At KCA, we have been working with the material since its inception, so if you would like more information, please contact our Berkshire showroom to speak with one of our specialists.
You can also visit our showroom to browse our kitchen displays and see the latest ceramic worktops in person.
