Ceramic Worktops
Everything About Ceramic Worktops
A smart, durable choice. Sintered surface performance without the premium price.
Understanding Ceramic Worktops
Ceramic worktops deliver engineered performance at a sensible price. The kiln process creates a dense surface with strong resistance to heat, stains and daily wear. Porcelain sits higher for density and near-zero absorption, yet ceramic gives excellent durability for UK homes.
Modern slabs replicate marble veining, granite movement and concrete textures. Common thicknesses are 12 mm and 20 mm. Thicker looks use mitred or layered edges.
Ceramic suits projects that need real-world toughness and straightforward care without a top-tier price.
Ceramic performance
Heat resistant
Handles hot pans well. Use trivets to avoid thermal shock.
Low porosity
Good stain resistance. Porcelain is lower still.
Scratch resistant
Robust in daily use. Use boards to protect knives and finish.
UV stable
Colour-fast in bright rooms and near windows.
Chemical tolerance
Fine with normal kitchen cleaners. Avoid abrasives.
Design range
Strong palette. Realistic stone and concrete effects.
Edge vulnerability
Like porcelain, ceramic is very hard, so edges may chip on impact. Reduce risk with rounded or chamfered profiles and careful handling during fit.
Pros and cons
The advantages
- Excellent heat stability. Better than quartz, comparable to granite
- Good scratch resistance
- Low absorption with easy cleaning
- UV stable and hygienic
- Works with most household cleaners
- No sealing
- Wide design choice
- Modern thin profiles at 12 mm
- Often 20–30% cheaper than porcelain
The limitations
- Edge chip risk at corners
- Higher absorption than porcelain
- Lower density than porcelain
- Chip repairs are difficult to disguise
- Fewer edge profiles
- Professional fit required
- Quality varies by brand and batch
Ceramic vs porcelain
| Feature | Ceramic worktops | Porcelain worktops |
|---|---|---|
| Material composition | ||
| Raw materials | Blended natural clays and minerals | Refined kaolin-rich clays ✓ |
| Firing temperature | High | Very high for extra vitrification ✓ |
| Process | Sintered under heat and pressure | Higher refinement and compaction ✓ |
| Physical properties | ||
| Density | High | Very high ✓ |
| Water absorption | Low | Near-zero ✓ |
| Hardness | Hard | Harder ✓ |
| Edge strength | More prone to chip | Better edge strength ✓ |
| Performance | ||
| Heat resistance | Excellent. Use trivets | Excellent. Slightly more stable ✓ |
| Stain resistance | Very good | Excellent ✓ |
| Scratch resistance | Very good | Excellent ✓ |
| Chemical resistance | Good | Very good ✓ |
| UV stability | Excellent | Excellent |
| Aesthetics and options | ||
| Design variety | Wide range | Very wide ✓ |
| Thickness | 12–20 mm. Thicker via mitre | 6–20 mm. Thicker via mitre ✓ |
| Slab sizes | Standard to large | Very large common ✓ |
| Bookmatching | Selected ranges | More options ✓ |
| Cost and value (UK) | ||
| Material price | ~£250–£600 per m² ✓ | ~£400–£700+ per m² |
| Installation | Standard specialist rates ✓ | Often slightly higher |
| Best for | Balanced performance and budget | Maximum durability |
Thickness options
Ultra-modern
Sleek profile for contemporary designs. Use mitres for a thicker look.
Standard choice
Classic feel with added impact resilience over 12 mm.
Thicker appearance
Create 30 mm+ visuals with mitred or layered edges.
Living with ceramic
Maintenance tips
Daily cleaning
Mild detergent and water or a standard kitchen spray. No sealing.
Heat management
Heat resistant, yet use trivets for items fresh from the oven.
Edge protection
Avoid impacts near corners. Rounded or chamfered profiles help.
Scratch prevention
Use chopping boards to preserve the finish and your knives.
Stain control
Wipe spills promptly. Porcelain absorbs even less.
Long-term care
Routine cleaning keeps the surface fresh and hygienic.
Investment guide
Ceramic delivers much of porcelain’s performance at a lower price. Expect a saving of around 20–30% depending on brand, design and thickness.
Material cost
~£250–£400 per m² for popular colours
Premium designs
~£400–£600 per m² for complex veining or bookmatched sets
Supply and fit
Often priced per m². Where quoted per linear metre at 600 mm depth, ~£400–£800/lin m
Edge treatments
~£30–£80 per lin m for rounded or chamfered edges
Cut-outs
~£50–£150 each for sinks, hobs and taps
Versus others
Often 20–30% less than porcelain. Overlaps with mid-range quartz
Decision guide
Choose ceramic if you
- Want sintered-surface performance without premium pricing
- Need strong heat stability
- Prefer low maintenance and no sealing
- Like thin profiles with the option of mitred thick looks
- Want solid stain and scratch resistance
- Value broad design choice at sensible prices
Choose porcelain instead if you
- Want the lowest water absorption and highest density
- Need the best edge strength
- Prefer ultra-thin sheets or very large format slabs
- Accept a higher price for peak performance