It looks like you are renovating your bathroom. Otherwise, why would you be looking up porcelain vs. ceramic sinks in the first place? We said washroom sink because these two materials are the popular choice when it comes to bathroom sinks. They are not ideal for kitchen use—porcelain and ceramic look similar, which confuses people. Worry not because today’s blog post will help you know the difference between the two, along with their pros and cons.
Porcelain Vs Ceramic sink
Porcelain sinks are made of one of two things:
- Thick Gauge Cast Iron
- Steel
The material is then coated in baked-on porcelain enamel. Hence, the name porcelain sink.
Ceramic sinks are built using clay, water, and powder. The mixture is heated at high temperatures, after which you can use it to make sinks, tiles, or anything similar.
Which is Better Porcelain or Ceramic Sink?
By now, you know the materials that go into making a porcelain or ceramic sink. However, we are yet to mention the pros and cons for each. Instead of listing them individually, we will compare them with one another. Let us start.
1. Environment-Friendliness
Both are environmentally friendly. The materials can be recycled into tiles or used in road construction.
2. Durability
Both sinks are durable. However, if something were to strike against a ceramic force with a bit of force, it would shatter. It does not make ceramic sinks any less durable. After all, what are the chances of hitting the ceramic bathroom sink with something? But we will be honest. Porcelain sinks are much more durable than ceramic sinks, and the reason is that porcelain contains steel. Secondly, it is heated at high temperatures and goes under considerable pressure. Thus, porcelain comes out a lot stronger than ceramic. So, in the porcelain sink vs ceramic sink debate, porcelain is the winner.
3. Cost
When it comes to cost, porcelain is a bit cheaper than ceramic. You can get a top-quality porcelain sink for a few hundred dollars. In ceramic sinks, the prices vary greatly. If you go for premium ceramic sinks, they can cost more than the best porcelain sinks available in the market right now.
4. Resale Value
Whether we like to admit it or not, we think about the resale value whenever we undertake remodeling work or build a place from scratch. Questions like, ‘will this material help me get a better price for this place?’ are all too common. There is nothing wrong with this approach either. If you are getting good value for something, you should sell it and reinvest the money in another project.
What about a porcelain or ceramic sinks? Do they increase the resale value? Porcelain is the winner in this case. The reason is that porcelain sinks are expensive and durable. Thus, they are likely to fetch a higher value should you opt to sell your place at any time in the future.
5. Water Resistance
There is no doubt that the sink will see a lot of water. So, you will need a sink that is the least porous. In other words, it must not absorb water; otherwise, it will start to crack. Ceramic sinks must be glazed to decrease the porosity. Even then, they do absorb some water, reducing their durability. Porcelain sinks are less porous than ceramic. So, the answer to which is better porcelain or ceramic sink in terms of water resistance is porcelain.
6. Scratch Resistance
The harder the surface, the higher the scratch resistance. By now, you already know that porcelain is harder than ceramic. However, with the proper care and maintenance, you can prevent scratches on your ceramic sink.
7. Repair & Maintenance
If your porcelain sink runs into problems, it is difficult to repair it and costly too. On the other hand, ceramic sinks are easy to repair and do not cost as much as porcelain. Both require an equal amount of maintenance to ensure their shine and durability. However, ceramic sinks require frequent deep cleaning.
8. Design & Colors
Ceramic sinks come in various designs and colors. You can get confused as to which one you should buy due to so many options. Porcelain is equally versatile. However, one thing you must keep in mind is that porcelain sinks usually come in white. If you want it in your preferred color, it can be challenging to find it. You can custom order it, but it will cost you a lot.
Wrap Up
This concludes today’s blog post about porcelain vs ceramic sinks. If you have any questions in mind, feel free to let us know in the comments section below. When selecting an installer, we recommend that you go through their online reviews. It will help you decide if they are worth your money. Online reviews are an effective way of knowing a company’s professionalism and skills.
