Quartzite vs Porcelain: Real Stone vs a Printed Surface
Porcelain countertop slabs have become popular because they are thin, light and need no sealing. They are made by pressing clay and minerals into large sheets and firing them at very high temperatures. The pattern you see, often a marble or quartzite look, is printed on the face.
Quartzite is natural stone: a metamorphic sandstone around 7 on the Mohs scale, acid-resistant and solid all the way through. In the kitchen, where edges get knocked and sinks get cut in, that through-body structure is what separates the two.
How We Compare Them
Through-Body vs Printed Pattern
Look at a quartzite edge and you see the same veins as the top. Look at most porcelain edges and you see a plain body under the printed face, which is why porcelain edges are usually mitred.
Edge Chip Repair
When quartzite chips, we fill with colour-matched UV-cure resin and polish; it blends. When porcelain chips, the plain body shows through and repairs are hard to hide.
12mm vs 3cm Thickness
Our quartzite tops are typically 3cm solid stone. Porcelain counters are usually 12mm, so the edge has to be built up with a mitred strip.
Installed Cost
Large-format porcelain with mitred edges often prices close to mid-range quartzite.
Quartzite vs Porcelain at a Glance
| Quartzite | Porcelain / Sintered | |
|---|---|---|
| Material | Natural metamorphic sandstone | Fired clay and minerals |
| Pattern | Through-body, natural | Printed face (mostly) |
| Typical counter thickness | 3cm | 12mm |
| Mohs hardness | About 7 | About 7-8 surface, brittle edges |
| Edge chip repair | Blends well | Plain body shows |
| Heat | 300C+ | High, but thin edges can shock-crack |
| Sealing | Every 18 months | Never |
| Installed price | $70-$280/sqft | Often $85-$130/sqft with mitres |
How Much Does Quartzite Cost vs Porcelain in Toronto?
| Layout | Entry Quartzite | Mid Quartzite (Taj Mahal, Sea Pearl) |
|---|---|---|
| Kitchen island | $2,800-$4,600 | $2,800-$6,500 |
| L-shape kitchen (45-55 sqft) | $5,500-$7,800 | $5,500-$9,800 |
| Open kitchen with island | $9,500-$13,000 | $9,500-$18,000 |
Porcelain quotes vary widely depending on whether mitred edges and full-height walls are included. Ask any porcelain quote whether edges are mitred and what a chip repair costs. Our full list of rates is on quartzite cost Toronto.
Where Porcelain Makes Sense
We are fans of porcelain in the right spot. Full-height wall cladding, shower walls, fireplace surrounds and furniture tops are great uses, because porcelain is light and the edges are protected. A common combo we build is a quartzite kitchen island with porcelain wall cladding behind the range.
Where Quartzite Wins
On a working counter edge, by the sink and dishwasher, on an island where stools and bags bump the corner. That is where a solid 3cm stone with real veining through the edge pays off. If you want a thick look on an island, we can also mitre quartzite to look 2 inches or deeper, see quartzite fabrication.
For other comparisons, see quartzite vs quartz and quartzite vs granite. If you already have a chipped porcelain or stone top, our quartzite polishing and restoration team can take a look.