Top 5 Design Features of Archant Porcelain (Review)

The kitchen may be where all the cooking takes place, but it’s so much more than just a meal prep area. For our customers around New Zealand, the kitchen is at the heart of the home’s welcoming appeal. In the centre of this, is the benchtop and in some cases, an island as well.

Deciding on your benchtop material often requires a trade-off between price, style, functional features, durability, and maintenance. The effect of this important decision doesn’t stop here though.

Based on the counter you choose; other aspects of the design will also take shape. The sink, cabinetry, splashback, and appliances to name just a few.

Is Archant Porcelain the right material to build your kitchen around?

In this article, we’ll take a closer look at five of the top design features our customers are enjoying.

1) Cohesiveness of Design

Porcelain can be used throughout the kitchen and in many other areas of the home as well. Sure, it makes for a stylish benchtop, but that’s far from the whole story. Our large-format sheets are a fantastic option for bringing cohesiveness to your space.

You can seamlessly blend the bench with a gorgeous splashback, and a kitchen island without mixing textures and materials. In doing this, the entire room feels larger, and light is reflected beautifully from the stone’s surface.

Other unique ways to utilise porcelain are as a high-end flooring solution, a dining room table, and even decorative wall mounts. Of course, it also makes for exceptionally stylish bathroom vanities and is, therefore, more versatile than many of the materials on the market today.

2) Cost and Lifetime Value

We know how important the budget is to any project design. At Archant, we have five different collections with various price points. All our slabs come in generous sizes, creating more cost-effective design potential.

Crafting your space around these large-format sheets makes for the efficient use of raw materials. Rather than purchasing four smaller slabs of another material, you can buy two or three oversized porcelain sheets.

When you factor in the longevity of Archant Porcelain coupled with the lifetime warranty, it becomes a wise investment for your home. And should you decide to sell the property in the future, you can rest assured that it will hold value and appeal to potential buyers.

So, while the upfront cost of porcelain can be higher than laminate, for example, the overall benefit is much greater.

3) Functional Features of Porcelain

Put simply, porcelain is a worry-free type of material. That’s not to say it’s indestructible, as no benchtop is. Yet, we hear from customers often who rave about the ease of use enjoyed with their counter. Part of the reason is the incredible heat-resistant makeup of the product. Since it’s created in extremely hot temperatures, you don’t have to stress over where to put your hot pots and pans.

There’s no resin mixed into the surface so nothing will burn or become damaged. Those who love to cook relish the convenience of placing cookware directly on the bench.

Add to this, porcelain’s extreme resistance to stains and scratches, and you have a stylish yet fully functional space that works with you rather than against you. No more cutting boards, hot mats, and trivets.

And for those who want to design an outdoor space to entertain, porcelain won’t fade from the harsh sun. Unlike other materials that yellow or discolour, from the UV rays, porcelain will not be affected.

4) Ease of Maintenance

If you’ve ever owned or researched granite surfaces, you’re likely aware of the need to seal and reseal the bench once or twice each year. With porcelain, none of those extra steps are necessary.

To keep your porcelain benchtop looking great, it just takes a quick wipe down with warm soapy water and a soft cloth or sponge. It doesn’t get much easier than that.

Since the surface is non-porous, it holds liquids at the top, making it quick to clean up without the risk of staining. What’s more, is the hygienic, food-safe quality of the bench, keeping your family healthy.

5) Simple to Sophisticated Styles

As noted above, Archant offers five unique collections of porcelain with a wide variety of available styles. Whether you’re looking for an elegant surface that looks like marble, or the rugged appearance of concrete, there’s something for every design aesthetic.

Other options include the popular rustic look of our metal collection, the vintage quality of stone, or simple solid colours. Whatever collection you decide on, porcelain can elevate your design to a whole new level of sophistication.

To further customise the look and feel of your space, you can choose from various finishes. Some may love a polished and modern appearance, while others prefer a more textured, or matt finish.

Either way, the quality of the material is world-class, as is our fabrication and installation process.

Archant Porcelain – A Leading Design Solution

When you factor in all the benefits above and compare porcelain with other options on the market, you’ll notice a few big differences. First is the freedom this material offers homeowners. It’s a material you can use and enjoy without fussing over the care and maintenance. It doesn’t hinder you in the kitchen but works with you to make your time more pleasant and efficient.

As for the style and value, it’s challenging to find another surface that compares with the elegant beauty of porcelain while also remaining cost-effective.