When outfitting your home in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA), the type of material used is often the most important thing to consider. Porcelain slab is a widely used, luxurious item that can be applied in various ways throughout your GTA home. In today’s housing market for Toronto and the GTA, it is imperative to upgrade certain features in order to maintain and increase a home’s value.  Before you purchase these upgrades, you must understand what they are and why it is a good idea to use them.

 

 

Porcelain is also known as "china.” China commonly refers to smaller, more delicate and decorative items such as vases, cups, or plates. Porcelain has also been used in dental crowns and electrical insulators. Porcelain got its name from its resemblance to the inside of a shell found in Italy. It is called "china” because the heating method to develop porcelain was invented in China during the Shang Dynasty. This type of porcelain has been highly processed using heat and crafting to design various items with multiple functions.

 

 

When outfitting your GTA home with more permanent fixtures such as vanities, sinks, countertops, tiles, baths, or showers, the pieces of porcelain used come from large slabs. Porcelain contains clay, flint, and silica, all combined in a range of ways to produce different results. This differs slightly from china, as china uses a soft paste whereas porcelain uses a hard paste. The type of paste, combined with the intensity of heat the product is fired at, will directly impact the final product as well as the use it is best suited for. Porcelain uses a higher temperature, which produces a harder, less delicate finish. It was not until recently that porcelain has become a popular building material, and can now be found all over the world. Porcelain frequently appeared within the home during the 17th century – mostly used in bathrooms by populations in higher socioeconomic classes. The porcelain surface is smooth, easy to clean, and is not porous. Therefore, it makes a highly sought-after material where sanitation is important, and continues to have that appeal in today’s world.

 

 

Porcelain looks remarkably similar to marble; it is white, hard, and lustrous. However, there are many benefits to choosing porcelain over marble. Marble can be corrupted by certain substances like acidic foods or liquids; it requires maintenance in the form of a seal that needs to be reapplied once per year throughout its use. However, porcelain can withstand more conditions without the need for maintenance practices.

 

 

In Toronto and the Greater Toronto Area, it is not always possible to build a house from the ground up and outfit it with everything your dream home would have. Porcelain can be cut to a thin measurement and placed overtop existing fixtures such as countertops. This can reduce both time spent on renovations and the costs of removing existing materials. Having a thinner porcelain slab will make installation a simpler process, as it will be less heavy than a thick slab of marble, granite, or similar material. Porcelain is a visually appealing product that is cost-effective and very functional.