WHY USE PORCELAIN COUNTERTOPS IN YOUR KITCHEN?

There are several reasons why many people choose to use porcelain countertops in their kitchens. Here I present some of the advantages and benefits of this material:

Durability
Porcelain countertops are extremely durable and strong. They are designed to withstand daily use in the kitchen, including cuts, bumps, and light impacts. They are less prone to cracking or breaking compared to other materials, such as marble or granite.

Stain resistance

Porcelain is a non-porous material, which means it does not absorb liquids or stains. This makes it highly resistant to discoloration and the absorption of substances such as oil, wine, coffee, and other common products in the kitchen. A porcelain countertop will easily stay clean and look new with proper care.

Heat resistance

Porcelain countertops are highly resistant to heat. You can directly place hot pots or pans on them without worrying about damaging the surface. This is especially useful in the kitchen, where many cooking and baking activities take place.

Hygiene

Porcelain is a hygienic material since it does not allow the growth of bacteria or mold. Its smooth, non-porous surface makes it difficult for germs to stick, making it a safe and healthy option for food preparation.

Variety of designs and colors

Porcelain countertops are available in a wide range of designs, textures, and colors. This gives you the ability to find a countertop that perfectly matches your kitchen design and style, whether you're going for a modern, classic, or contemporary look.

Easy maintenance
Porcelain countertops are easy to clean and maintain. They usually only require warm water and mild detergent to remove dirt and stains. In addition, being resistant to stains, they do not need periodic sealing like other materials.

Porcelain countertops offer durability, resistance to stains, heat and chemicals, hygiene, and a wide variety of designs. These characteristics make them a popular choice for those seeking an aesthetic and functional kitchen surface.

The importance of having adequate equipment to cut dekton and porcelain

Dekton, among other alternative stone materials, continues to grow in popularity for applications such as countertops, flooring, and both interior and exterior wall cladding. Being a hard dense product, it is crucial to use appropriate tooling during the fabrication process. Carlos Sustaita, production director for STA Granite, provides several important tips of advice for those working with compact sintered stone.

Why do products such as Dekton need special/different tools than those that are used for cutting granite and marble?

Material hardness is the key to understanding why you need different tools to fabricate Dekton. The material has a

very high density (ultra-compact), which means that if you don’t use proper tools, you can either break the tool or the material or even worse, damage the machinery.

The cutting process requires trimming the edges to release tensions. Then you have to follow cutting recommendations, which include using plenty of water, the proper speed, feed rate, etc. Once you follow the rules, it’s a piece of cake.

When doing edging on Dekton, What is the difference in the process compared to a natural stone?

In this sense, Dekton’s edge is very easy to work with since the material is very homogeneous, and it is easy to get very good results. Any fabricator can do it well on the first attempt.

What are some common mistakes that fabricators are making when it comes to cutting this material? And, what are some common mistakes with doing edging or doing sinkholes or something?

The main mistake is trying to fabricate Dekton as if it was a granite or quartz composite. You will fail if you use the same tools, speed rates, and so on. Another common mistake is trying to cut Dekton in uneven support. It is a common source of problems too.

Sometimes people ask about what machine is best to cut Dekton. I believe the key is not the machine but the tools and proper maintenance. I have seen people with very modest equipment doing amazing things and the other way around.

7 Keys for Cutting Ultra-Compact and Sintered Dekton and Porcelain Materials

1. Water

It may seem too simple or too intuitive to matter, but less than adequate water AND hoses positioned incorrectly is the most common error causing headaches among cutting these materials.

2. Check your table level

One of the more overlooked aspects of successful cutting is, to the degree that your table is not level in the horizontal plane, vibrations will occur. This unevenness can result in chipping and likely breaking the edge of your slab.

3. Buy the right blade

As cliche, as it may sound, choosing the right blade for the material you are processing, is critical.

4. Removing tensioning strips

While each manufacturer of ultra-compact and sintered porcelain materials may, or may not have tensioning strips built into the perimeters of each slab, if they are not removed before cutting, the slab is at higher risk of cracking or breaking.

5. Feed rate and RPMs

Using the same feed rate and RPMs you may be accustomed to when cutting other materials can be a recipe for trouble. Unlike fabricating more common materials such as marble and granite, we’ve seen the most success cutting ultra-compact and sintered porcelain materials when following a systemized approach is used.

6. Avoiding Plunging

While plunge cutting tends to be of little concern for most sawyers when cutting ultra-compact and sintered porcelain materials it can pose big problems resulting in cracking or breaking your slab.

7. Cutting Sinks

Projects requiring a sink cut-out can be an obstacle many fabricators dread. Since we already know plunging is not the ideal way to go about this, what are your options? When preparing a sink cut-out, it is advised to drill each of the four corners with a 1/2” core bit before to start initiating cutting.