Porcelain & Ceramic Worktops
Contemporary Ceramic Worktops combining durability and Style
Looking for a high-performance kitchen surface material? Porcelain and ceramic worktops offer the ultimate in durability and are ideal for busy family homes and come in a host of colours and finishes to suit different every interior.
At Claremont Kitchens & Interiors, we supply and install custom porcelain worktops, for existing and new kitchens, in a range of styles throughout West Sussex. Each countertop is made to order and fitted by our trusted worktop partners, Sussex Stoneworks, ensuring an accurate fit and a high-quality finish. We can also provide complementary porcelain splashbacks and upstands to create a unified look.
With materials available from leading brands like Dekton, Uniceramica, Laminam and XTONE, we can offer a huge choice of ceramic materials options for both modern and traditional kitchens. Visit our Midhurst showroom to browse displays and compare finishes to find the best option for your space. We are open six days a week, with an expert team on hand to give tailored advice.
Why choose porcelain or ceramic worktops?
Porcelain and ceramic kitchen worktops are a stylish, highly durable and reliable option for a wide range of interior décor styles. Together, these features ensure that ceramic countertops can withstand the demands of frequent use over time, with minimal maintenance needed. Key benefits include:
Exceptional strength
Highly resistant to scratches, chips and general wear, making them well suited to kitchens that are used daily.
Heat resistant
Ceramic handles hot pans and rapid temperature changes without damage, performing reliably around cooking areas.
Non-porous & hygienic
Porcelain worktops resist moisture, stains and bacteria, with no sealing required and simple day-to-day cleaning.
Extensive Choice Of Designs
Available in a large selection of colours and finishes, including marble, stone, concrete, metal and wood effects.
Versatile applications
Suitable for worktops, islands, splashbacks and wall cladding, and can also be used for outdoor kitchens.
Complete supply & installation
We coordinate measuring, sourcing, fabrication and installation for professional and consistent results.
Design options, colours and finishes
Our specially engineered porcelain worktops offer one of the broadest design ranges on the market. From solid neutrals to striking patterns, there are options to complement any kitchen or bathroom, including styles by top brands like Dekton, Uniceramica, Laminam and XTONE.
Dekton is available in over 60 colours and finishes, with an ultra-compact composition that resists heat, staining and UV exposure. Meanwhile, Uniceramica replicates the look of natural materials such as marble, limestone and travertine in their hardwearing porcelain surfaces.
Alternatively, Laminam produces large-format ceramic slabs suited to both interior and exterior applications. And XTONE offers everything from subtly mottled limestone and authentic woodgrain effects to eye-catching Calacatta marble styles. The possibilities are endless!
Surface finishes vary by material and brand, including gloss, matte, velvet and textured options. Different thicknesses can also be specified depending on the application, from kitchen worktops and bathroom vanities to splashbacks and wall cladding.
Custom-made ceramic splashbacks and upstands
Porcelain surfaces can also be extended beyond the worktop to create a consistent finish across your kitchen. Whether you’re planning a full rework or updating an existing space, we can supply matching upstands and porcelain splashbacks to fit your layout. Options include subtle strips along the back of your counters through to larger panels behind hobs and sinks.
Whichever design you choose, our ceramic splashbacks provide a protective and decorative surface in areas exposed to heat and moisture. Meanwhile, upstands offer a neat transition between the worktop and wall, while also helping to guard against spills and grime.
Each feature is professionally measured and templated prior to fabrication, with precise cut-outs to accommodate existing features. Just tell us your ideas!
Visit our Midhurst showroom for displays & inspiration
If you’d like to explore porcelain worktop and ceramic splashback options in person, why not stop by our showroom in Midhurst? Open Monday to Saturday, you’ll find a range of samples alongside installed displays, allowing you to compare colours, finishes and textures up close.
Designs include a fully fitted Uniceramica Sahara Grey worktop with an integrated sink and matching splashback, as well as a bespoke sales desk clad in grey Dekton. These displays demonstrate how different finishes, thicknesses and detailing options work in practice, helping you visualise how each might suit your own space.
Can’t find what you’re looking for? Additional samples can be sourced on request if you have a specific style or finish in mind. Our team will be on hand to answer any questions, help you choose the find surface for your kitchen and book a home measuring visit to start the process.
Ceramic Worktops: Frequently Asked Questions
1. What are porcelain and ceramic kitchen worktops?
Porcelain and ceramic worktops are engineered surfaces made from natural materials such as clay, minerals and pigments, which are compressed and fired at very high temperatures. This process creates a dense material with very low porosity that offers a consistent finish with a high degree of resistance to heat, scratches and staining. This high-performance surface material does not need to be sealed like natural stone and is well suited to busy modern kitchens.
Ceramic and porcelain surfaces are widely used as an alternative to natural stone and quartz, offering a sleek, modern appearance with minimal upkeep required. Available in a variety of thicknesses and large-format slabs, they can be used for kitchen worktops, splashbacks, wall cladding and are also suitable for outdoor kitchens and bars.
2. What is the difference between porcelain and ceramic worktops?
The terms “porcelain” and “ceramic” are often used to describe the same vitrified stone material. Porcelain is a more advanced type of ceramic, manufactured using finer raw materials and higher firing temperatures. This results in a harder, more compact surface with improved strength compared to standard ceramic materials. Because of this, porcelain tends to offer greater resistance to wear, moisture and temperature changes. Ceramic surfaces can still be suitable depending on the application, but porcelain is generally preferred in well-used areas.
3. Are porcelain and ceramic worktops suitable for everyday kitchen use?
Yes, both porcelain and ceramic worktops are well suited for use in kitchens. They are generally more robust than natural stone, and even quartz surfaces, and provide the highest resistance to wear, heat. staining and scratching, making them an excellent choice for busy family homes and commercial environments.
Porcelain and ceramic surfaces to not require sealing, are easy to clean and are available in solid colours and stone, metallic and wood effects. These manmade surfaces tend to suit a more modern aesthetic, and as many are surface printed rather than full bodied, edge finishing options can be more limited. Unless you want the look and feel of natural stone, porcelain and ceramic worktops are worth considering and offer a great combination of style and performance, but they do tend to be slightly more expensive than quartz and cheaper forms of natural stone.
4. Do porcelain and ceramic worktops need sealing?
No, porcelain and ceramic countertops are vitrified materials and are non-porous, so they do not require sealing. Their dense structure prevents liquids from penetrating the surface, making them easier to maintain on more resistant to staining than natural stone and some quartz alternatives.
5. Are porcelain and ceramic worktops heat, scratch and stain resistant?
Yes, porcelain surfaces are designed to cope with high temperatures, resist everyday scratching and repel staining from common kitchen substances. With that said, we’d still recommend using chopping boards and heat protection to help preserve the finish over time.
6. Are porcelain and ceramic worktops easy to clean and hygienic?
Yes, routine cleaning is simple using warm water and a mild detergent. Their non-absorbent surface also helps prevent the build-up of moisture, residue and bacteria, making them a practical and hygienic option for food preparation areas.
7. Can porcelain and ceramic stone be used for splashbacks?
Yes, porcelain and ceramic materials can be used for both worktops and splashbacks to create a cohesive finish. Their non-porous surface makes them perfect for areas exposed to moisture and spills, such as behind hobs and sinks, and ensures they are easy to keep clean.
8. Can porcelain and ceramic surfaces be used in bathrooms?
Yes, our ceramic splashbacks and worktops are suitable for bathrooms and utility areas. Their resistance to moisture makes porcelain a practical choice for vanity tops, splashbacks and wall cladding. We can also supply large format designs with minimal seams – much easier to clean than traditional tiles and grout.
9. Do porcelain and ceramic worktops chip or crack?
They are highly durable materials, but exposed edges can be vulnerable to heavy impact. Extra care should be taken around corners and edges in high-traffic areas to prevent damage.
10. Are porcelain worktops better than quartz?
Both are hardwearing, moisture-resistant surfaces suited to use in kitchens. Porcelain is often chosen for its heat resistance and contemporary aesthetics, while quartz offers a slightly softer aesthetic with a uniform finish and slightly lower price-point -depending on the type of quartz chosen. The best option will depend on your design preferences, use and budget.
11. Do you supply & install porcelain & ceramic worktops in Sussex?
Yes. We measure, fabricate, and install ceramic and porcelain worktops and splashbacks in all areas of Sussex, including Surrey and Hampshire for retail and trade customers. Our expert fitting partner uses the latest in digital laser measuring and templating, have advanced stone fabrication capabilities, and many years of experience fitting all kinds of stone worktops and finishes.All of our stone worktops are manufactuyrerd right here in West Sussex.
