Porcelain Benchtops Vs Engineered Stone: What Are The Main Differences?

When it comes to your kitchen, bathroom, laundry or bar countertops, your choice of benchtop material is a crucial decision that can make or break the overall look and feel of your space. Two of the most popular options on the Australian market for many years have been porcelain benchtops and engineered stone benchtops.

As an Aussie homeowner or residential or commercial property landlord, it's important to understand the main differences between these options so you can make an informed choice. This article carefully compares porcelain benchtops vs. engineered stone, so you can move forward with building or renovation material selections with more clarity and ease.

Porcelain is a type of ceramic material — and more specifically, a form of sintered stone — that has rapidly gained popularity in the world of kitchen and bathroom design over the years. Porcelain benchtops are made from a blend of clay (often kaolin clay that’s abundant in nature) and a mix of other natural materials, minerals, and pigments, such as feldspar. The materials are fired at very high temperatures.

Porcelain has extremely low levels of silica and only uses natural “ingredients”. It is an ultra-compact and complex surface with high density and low porosity that makes it perfect for benchtops in kitchens, bathrooms, laundries, and other spaces. Porcelain is man-made but designed to mimic the look of natural stone.

Alternatively, engineered stone, often referred to as quartz or Caesarstone (a popular brand of engineered stone) is produced using a mix of quartz and other crushed materials. These are all bound together with a resin. This agglomerate stone, as it’s also known, is made in a factory and is usually quite clearly a manufactured product, without the more natural look and feel of porcelain.

One of the biggest differences you’ll find when learning about porcelain benchtops versus engineered stone is that one is seen as safe and the other harmful. While porcelain has been used by workers for many years with no causes for concern, the same can’t be said of engineered stone. In fact, the latter has now been banned in Australia. In a world first, the Australian government banned the use, supply, and manufacture of engineered stone under updated workplace health and safety laws. Since 1 July 2024, the products have been banned nationwide.

The reason for these legal changes is that evidence showed that working with engineered stone produces silica dust, which significantly increases the threat of silicosis among workers. Silicosis can lead to lung cancer, among other long-term health problems. You can learn more in our guide to the dark side of engineered stone and why it has been banned.

Porcelain, on the other hand, doesn’t have much silica in it at all and doesn’t pose a threat to safety for those who use it. It’s a safer material to fabricate, install, and be around.

It’s also worth examining how versatile porcelain benchtops are vs. Caesarstone and other engineered benchtop products. Porcelain comes in all sorts of colours, patterns, and textures (such as matte, polished, glossy, natural, and tactile ones) to suit all buyer tastes and property designs. Porcelain can be made to look like nearly any kind of material, from metal to marble and stone to concrete.

Many clients seeking high-performance alternatives to natural stone are now exploring sintered stone benchtops, with porcelain leading the way thanks to its refined finish and design flexibility. You can visit our showroom to see for yourself just how vast the range is. As for engineered stone (which of course is no longer available), while there were various options, it was generally available in fewer choices than porcelain.

One of the biggest advantages of porcelain is its impressive durability. The material is incredibly hard-wearing and able to withstand heavy use, scratches, and even high temperatures without showing signs of wear and tear. This means you can say goodbye to pesky knife marks or hot pan scuffs.

While engineered stone was a durable product that was resistant to stains and heat and non-porous, you couldn’t cut directly on a quartz surface like you can on a porcelain one. Plus, porcelain has been known to better withstand very high heat than Caesarstone and other engineered products. This makes porcelain benchtops perfect for kitchens where no trivet is required when you rest hot pots and pans on the surface.

Porcelain benchtops have a very long lifespan, too, lasting up to around 30 years or more with good care. Engineered stone countertops, though, only tended to last around ten to 15 years. Plus, keep in mind that while engineered stone tends to discolour and fade when used outdoors or with lots of natural light shining on it, porcelain doesn’t. Porcelain, unlike engineered stone, is UV-proof.

When looking at porcelain benchtops vs. Caesarstone or other brands, you’ll find that both options are reasonably comparable. Both porcelain and engineered stone benchtops are quick and easy to clean and maintain over the years, as they’re non-porous and simply need a wipe-down with a damp cloth to look good-as-new. You don’t need to worry about sealing or re-sealing such products.

However, for stains on engineered stone, you often need to use heavy cleaning products that remove the shiny layer on top of the quartz, meaning later spills can penetrate deeper into your benchtops. This isn’t an issue with porcelain countertops. Plus, porcelain is streak-free and fingerprint-proof, so requires less wiping over in general.

While engineered stone benchtops were an option before the safety concerns involved with them became evident, today, porcelain benchtops are the clear winners for many reasons as outlined. If you're after a durable, low-maintenance, yet gorgeous-looking material with a wide range of aesthetic options, porcelain benchtops are an excellent way to go. As a leading sintered stone surface, porcelain delivers the ideal combination of function and visual appeal — without the risks associated with engineered materials.

If you’re interested in additional choices, though, it’s also worth considering luxurious natural stone for the benchtops in your property. You can learn about some of the advantages of natural stone benchtops in our handy guide.

Remember, that it's always a good idea to consult with a trusted local supplier or renovation professional to get expert advice and explore samples of each material in person. Book a consultation with our friendly team today or simply contact us for more information about our range of porcelain and natural stone benchtop offerings. You can then make an informed decision that will have your home or commercial space looking sensational for years to come.