Ceramic Worktops

What are the Pros & Cons of Ceramic Worktops?

Ceramic worktops have been quickly growing in popularity for over a decade, particularly since their price has fallen more in line with materials such as granite and quartz. Increasing affordability aside, ceramic worktops are a modern design feature, highly resistant to heat and scratching, and only prone to chipping on heavy impacts. 

But with so many materials besides ceramic available, how do you decide which is best for your home?

If you’d prefer personalised advice based on your specific needs and home design, don’t hesitate to call us or get a free quote now. At Paramount Stone Specialists, we’ve been supplying the UK with premium natural and engineered stone products and services since 1997, so you can rely on our experts for recommendations. 

What Are Ceramic Worktops?

Thanks to their diverse range of styles and thicknesses as well as heat and scratch resistant properties, ceramic worktops are an ideal choice for kitchen surfaces. Ceramic is also a relatively eco-friendly material, made by applying pressure and heat to a blend of natural stone, clay, sand, and natural colour pigments without the use of glues. 

The Benefits of Ceramic Worktops

Ceramic worktops are beneficial thanks to their versatility, diverse range of style options, and resistance to stains, heat, chemicals and UV rays. Here’s everything you need to know about the pros of these increasingly popular fixtures:

1. Variety Of Thickness

Ceramic worktops are available in a range of thicknesses, most commonly 20mm and 30mm for kitchens, but you can find options as thin as 10mm. Many people prefer the sleek and contemporary style of 20mm ceramic worktops, but alternatives with a thickness of 30mm might be more suitable if you’d prefer a classic appearance. 

2. Scratch and Stain Proof

If cleaning up after the family steals a lot of your valuable time, ceramic worktops can help lighten the load. As they are non-porous, ceramic worktops are virtually impossible to stain. You can clean wine, oil and food spills using just a sponge and soapy water in a few seconds. Moreover, a spill left overnight accidentally is highly unlikely to cause any damage or discolouration. Even chemical spills are unlikely to cause any harm to your worktops.

3. Flame and Heat Proof

When it comes to practicality, ceramic worktops are a blessing thanks to being flame and heat proof, meaning you can place hot pans and plates on the surface without risking any damage. 

4. Wide Style Selection

Ceramics are available in an almost limitless number of different colours and designs. You can also purchase ceramic worktops in textures such as leather, honed and river washed. While some people prefer the natural look of stones like granite, ceramic beats almost all other materials when it comes to style versatility. If you want to know what kind of styles might work well with your kitchen or bathroom, don’t hesitate to contact us.

5. UV Resistance

Allowing natural sunlight to flood the room can be a real mood and style lifter, but the sun’s UV rays can take their toll on your furnishings over time. Ceramic worktops repel rather than absorb sunlight. That means you can expect ceramic worktops to survive years or even decades without any change in colour.

Because of this UV resistance, ceramic worktops can be used in outside kitchens or in any kitchen that is exposed to regular direct sunlight.

The Disadvantages of Ceramic Worktops

While ceramic worktops come with a plethora of advantages, there are a few factors you should consider before deciding whether they’re the best option for you:

1. Can be Prone to Chipping

Even though ceramic worktops are virtually impossible to stain, scratch or burn, they are somewhat prone to chipping. Today’s highly durable products can withstand a lot, but impacts from heavy, falling objects are more likely to chip ceramic worktops than granite alternatives. Chips and cracks in ceramic can also be difficult to repair, which means you might need to replace an entire worktop or a large section of one following a mishap.

2. Can be Pricier than Other Materials

Ceramic worktops for kitchens tend to be slightly more expensive than granite and quartz alternatives. However, we should note that the price gap is closing. Just over a decade ago, ceramic worktops cost twice as much as their granite and quartz counterparts. Today, they’re only 20% or so more expensive, making them a high-value option for those who appreciate the balance of style and ease-of-maintenance.

3. Limited Edge Profiles

Ceramic worktops are available with fewer edge profiles than natural stone options like granite. While there’s no shortage of diverse style options, ceramic worktops might not be ideal for those who want a customised edge.

Ceramic Worktops vs Granite Worktops

Both ceramic and granite worktops are highly heat-resistant and durable, making them ideal options for kitchen worktops. With regular maintenance, either material can potentially last decades, but there are a couple of key differences you should be aware of.

While ceramic is available in a wide variety of designs, some people consider the natural stone appearance of granite to be a more premium household feature. In some cases, granite worktops can increase your home’s value by up to 5%.

Granite loses marks when it comes to maintenance requirements. As it’s a porous stone, granite needs resealing periodically to prevent stains that can be difficult to remove. Ceramic worktops are almost impossible to stain, but they can’t stand up to impacts as well as their granite counterparts.

Ceramic Worktops vs Quartz Worktops

Like ceramic, quartz is an engineered material, available in a wide range of designs and patterns. It’s also non-porous, making it resistant to stains and bacteria while being a breeze to clean and maintain. The main differences between the two lie in their heat resistance and environmental impact.

While quartz can withstand a lot of heat, it’s not as heat resistant as ceramic. You should be careful not to leave hot pans on the surface of a quartz worktop and instead use a hot pad or trivet. On the other hand, quartz is somewhat tougher than ceramic, able to withstand heavier impacts without chipping.

Unlike with quartz, no glues or artificial elements are used in the process of producing ceramic, making the latter the more eco-friendly kitchen worktop material. 

Ceramic Worktops Pros & Cons: The Bottom Line

Able to withstand extreme heat while being almost 100% stain- and scratch-proof, ceramic worktops are a practical kitchen worktop material. Their range of styles and thicknesses make them a standout design feature. They’re also eco-friendly when compared to engineered materials like quartz.

However, ceramic is a little pricier than other materials, and some people prefer the premium feel of natural stones like granite.

The best way to determine which material is best for your kitchen worktops is to give our specialists a call on 01482 585600 or email us at info@paramountstone.co.uk. 

For over 25 years, we’ve been designing, supplying and installing custom kitchen worktops, vanities, fireplace surrounds, cladding and more for clients throughout the UK, so you can rest assured we have the experience and insight to bring your ideas to life.