Porcelain worktops in Loughborough

Fired, not quarried

Porcelain slabs start as refined clay and mineral powders, compacted under enormous pressure and fired at temperatures well beyond any kitchen. The result is dense and almost glassy, with nothing for liquid to soak into. The design is part of the top layer, locked in during firing, so there is no sealer to apply.

Best for sun, heat and marble lovers

Anything that survived a kiln will not mind a saucepan. Porcelain also keeps its colour in full sun, so it is our usual recommendation next to bifold doors, in conservatories and for outdoor kitchens, where some quartz may discolour with time.

If you want marble’s look without its sensitivity, a porcelain marble design will not dull when lemon or a descaler is spilled on it.

Mind the edges

Porcelain’s face is extremely hard, but its edge is more brittle than quartz or granite, so a heavy pan swung into a square corner can chip it. A mitred or bevelled front protects it and also disguises the fact that the pattern lives on the surface. We talk through edge choices with the price.

Thin slabs, firm support

Most porcelain worktops are 12 mm, some 20 mm. Thin looks sharp and keeps weight down, but such a slab needs continuous, even support, above all beside sink and hob openings. We assess the cabinets and any reinforcement needed when we measure.