Quartz vs. Porcelain Countertops

Quartz and porcelain countertops bring elegance to any space, offering an array of designs. While both are excellent choices, their performance and minimal maintenance set them apart. Understanding their similarities and differences will help you choose the best option for you. 

Quartz vs. Porcelain

Choosing between quartz and porcelain countertops? We’re here to help you find the right fit for your home.

What Is Quartz?

Quartz countertops are made of natural quartz crystals combined with binders and pigments to create the final product. This process enables quartz countertops to be extremely durable, nonabsorbent, and resistant to stains, scratches, and chips. Available in a wide range of designs, colors, and finishes, Cambria quartz surfaces also offer rich depth, texture, and versatile edge profiles for a truly luxurious look.

What Is Porcelain?

Porcelain countertops are crafted through a precise manufacturing process. Raw materials are ground into a fine powder, mixed with water, and shaped into durable, nonabsorbent slabs. Decorative patterns are applied to the top of the surface with inkjet technology to create the look of natural stone or other designs, but these designs do not run through the slab. While resistant to stains, scratches, and heat, porcelain may be prone to chips that cannot be repaired.

Performance: Quartz vs. Porcelain

Quartz and porcelain have their own beauty and distinct qualities, but they perform differently. See how they compare.

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Maintenance

Quartz and porcelain countertops are effortless to maintain. Due to being nonabsorbent, both materials are stain resistant and never need sealing. Some options, including Cambria quartz and certain porcelain surfaces, are NSF-51 certified for safe food preparation. To clean either, just wipe with warm water, a soft cotton cloth, and mild soap, if desired.

Durability

Quartz and porcelain are both durable and scratch resistant. Porcelain tends to be a popular choice for outdoor spaces, though prolonged exposure may lead to fading over time. It is also more brittle and prone to chipping, especially along edges or during installation. Unlike porcelain, which is often impossible to fix, quartz chips can typically be repaired. Cambria surfaces also come with a transferable Lifetime Warranty, ensuring long-term durability and repair support, if ever needed.

Appearance

Quartz offers a wide range of colors and patterns, with depth and luxury running through the slab and edges. Some designs feature raised or debossed veining for enhanced dimension and texture. Porcelain’s surface-level inkjet designs can mimic natural stone but has limited edge profile options compared to the more intricate possibilities of quartz. While porcelain’s thin profile provides a sleek look, Cambria’s 1cm quartz surfaces offer additional benefits. They are lightweight, making installation a breeze; are incredibly versatile for unique applications like showers and fireplace surrounds; and can even be backlit for dramatic illumination. They’re also available in multiple finishes for greater design flexibility.

Environmental Impact

Quartz is harvested by removing small aggregate quartz stones, which leaves a smaller footprint and generates less waste. This harvesting practice allows for more optimal native vegetation restoration. Porcelain countertops offer durability and eco-friendly maintenance but may be less sustainable than quartz due to their energy-intensive production process.

Countertop Cost Considerations

When deciding between quartz and porcelain countertops, price often plays a big role. Beyond material and installation costs, consider how well each surface holds up over time to ensure lasting value.

Learn about quartz pricing

1cm Cambria Quartz Countertops

With 1cm quartz surfaces, you get the perfect mix of strength, beauty, and versatility. Designed to perform, they’re an ideal porcelain alternative, especially for applications like showers, fireplaces, wall cladding, and more. Enjoy easier fabrication, lasting durability, and the sophisticated designs only Cambria can deliver.

Browse porcelain-alternative designs

Annaleigh™

Marbled and soft taupe cascades across a lustrous, alabaster-hued background featuring honey accents, cool charcoal gray veins, and delicate ebony flecks for unparalleled depth.

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Everleigh™

Statement meets subtle in this movement-rich design that features cool gray and warm, sand-honey tonalities, combining the best of bold patterns and soft, tone-on-tone design.

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MacBeth™

Subtle honey shading adds warmth and depth to a serene, cool white background while soft taupe veins gently melt into the organic surface.

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Cambria Quartz Countertop Samples

 Loving multiple Cambria designs? Order samples to see which ones best stand out in your home. Just select the ones you want, and we’ll send them to you.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Are Cambria quartz surfaces made or manufactured in a plant?

Our slab manufacturing facility converts natural quartz into slabs by combining quartz with a small amount of pigment and binders. Through the process, we are able to create slabs that are nonabsorbent, durable, and compact.

How can I purchase Cambria?

Purchasing Cambria is easy. Use our retailer locator to find a retail location near you that can provide you with an estimate for your countertop needs. Generally, you will need the dimensions of your cabinet layout, information regarding backsplash requirements, edge profile selections, and your sink and stove locations and dimensions to get an accurate estimate.

Is Cambria resistant to surface damage?

Cambria is durable and more resistant to surface damage than other stone. However, all stone can be damaged by force and no stone is chip-proof. Objects hitting edges, particularly at sinks or dishwashers, may cause chips. Cambria is scratch resistant; however, no stone surface is scratch-proof. Surface markings are more visible on monotone designs than multicolored surfaces.

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What to Expect

Whether you’re planning a countertop refresh, room remodel, or a new build, learn what you can expect throughout the process.

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Cambria Kitchen & Baths

Come discover the Cambria Difference and see how our quartz surfaces transform any kitchen or bath into tranquil spaces.

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Get Inspired

Visit a Cambria showroom or retail partner to see your favorite porcelain-look quartz designs in person and get expert advice on your project.

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