Pro and Cons for using Thin Porcelain Tile Panels on Kitchen Countertops?

QUESTION

Pro and Cons for using Thin Porcelain Tile Panels on Kitchen Countertops?

Do you know the cons? All I see are pros for ceramic slabs for kitchen countertops.

ANSWER

 

Answer - Glazed Ceramic porcelain tile panel Pros: 1. They come in approx. sizes of 3’ x 10’ panels that range in thickness from 3 to 6mm is relatively new and are very thin compared to stone slabs. 6mm is about ¼”. Stone counter tops are normally 20mm (3/4”) or 30mm (1-1/4”) in thickness. 2. With ink jet technology the glazed panels stone look is very authentic looking. 3. No grout joints. 4. Impervious surface and stain and chemical resistant to most products found in a kitchen. 5. Minimal maintenance. Glazed Ceramic porcelain tile panel Cons: 1. More difficult to transport and store this material, since it is more fragile and has a greater propensity to be damaged if not properly handled. 2. Most tile distributors do not have this material in stock or have the proper equipment for warehousing and moving it around. 3. Most tile installers don’t have the experience, expertise or tools for working with tile panels. 4. The thin tile panels have to have a perfectly flat substrate to be installed over. 5. Tile panels have to be installed properly with full adhesive contact which is hard to accomplish with most tile installer labor. 6. Tile panels have a greater propensity to be damaged in not installed correctly or if abused. 7. Thin tile panels don’t have tradition trims and you can’t install the special aprons/edge shapes as you can with the thicker natural stone.

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