Ceramic or granite table top: which material should you choose?
Torn between a ceramic or granite table top? We compare both materials on maintenance, durability, heat resistance, appearance and price so you can make the best choice.
Ceramic or granite: both are hard and both work outdoors, but they differ on one point you notice every day. A ceramic table top takes a hot pan; a granite top does not. Granite is natural stone with its own pattern and needs sealing now and then; ceramic needs no care.
Quick guide
- Like to put a pan straight on the table and want no upkeep: choose ceramic.
- Want real natural stone where no two tops are alike: choose granite and use trivets.
- Want more colour choice: choose ceramic, with 29 colours against 4 granite types.
Ceramic vs granite in one table
| Property | Ceramic | Granite |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | Sintered at extremely high temperature | Volcanic natural stone |
| Thickness | 12 or 20 mm | 30 mm |
| Hot pan on the top | Yes | No, always use a trivet |
| Scratches and stains | Scratch- and stain-resistant | One of the hardest materials; stain-resistant once sealed |
| Care | Damp cloth | Seal after delivery, then every 2 to 3 years |
| Outdoors | Yes, frost- and UV-resistant | Yes |
| Choice | 29 colours | 4 types |
| Every top different | No | Yes |
| Watch out for | Heavy, edge sensitive to a hard knock | Thermal shock can crack it |
Ceramic table top: strengths and drawback
A ceramic table top is sintered at extremely high temperature. It is hard, non-porous and absorbs less than 0.1% water. Red wine and coffee wipe off with a damp cloth.
- Heat-resistant: a pan from the hob can go straight on the top.
- UV- and frost-resistant: no fading in the sun, and it can stay outdoors all year (EN ISO 10545-12).
- 29 colours: from light marble look to dark stone look.
- Drawback: ceramic is heavy and sensitive to hard point loads on the edge.
Granite table top: strengths and drawback
Granite is volcanic natural stone and one of the hardest materials. Every granite table top has its own pattern; no two are alike. The top is 30 mm thick and at most 2400 × 1000 mm.
You choose from four types:
- Steel Grey leather: grey, with a lightly textured surface.
- Coffee Brown leather: dark brown, also textured.
- Tan Brown polished: with a gloss.
- Nero Assoluto honed: black and matt.
The drawback: granite is not heat-resistant. A hot pan can crack it through thermal shock, so always use a trivet.
Care: ceramic versus granite
Wipe ceramic with a damp cloth, with a mild cleaning agent if needed. No periodic care is required.
Seal granite after delivery and again every two to three years. For daily cleaning use a pH-neutral cleaner, not vinegar or lemon. When water soaks in instead of beading, it is time to seal again.
Which material for outdoors
Both suit outdoor use. Ceramic is the most carefree: frost-resistant, UV-resistant and maintenance-free. See the ceramic garden tables.
Granite can stand outside too; keep up the sealing and do not put a hot barbecue dish straight on the stone. See the granite garden tables. Both work with a steel base with outdoor primer or a stainless steel base; outdoors they are equally suitable.
Which material for which interior
12 mm ceramic looks slim and suits a clean-lined interior; with 29 colours you can match the top to your floor and kitchen. All models are under ceramic dining tables.
30 mm granite looks solid and natural. A granite dining table suits a rural or classic interior; brushed stainless steel underneath lightens the look.
See, feel and configure
You notice the difference in texture and coolness only when you touch it. Order material samples; they are refunded when you return them. In the showroom in Maasbree, the Netherlands, also open on Saturdays, ceramic and granite sit side by side.
In the 3D configurator you choose material, colour, shape, size and base and see the price straight away. Delivery within 4 weeks, or at a lower rate within 8 weeks. Collection from Maasbree is also possible.
Frequently asked questions
Is ceramic stronger than granite?
Both are hard and resist scratches and stains. The difference is heat: ceramic takes a hot pan, granite can crack from thermal shock.
Can a granite table stand outdoors?
Yes, granite is suitable for outdoor use. Seal the top after delivery and then every two to three years.
How many colours of ceramic and granite are there?
Ceramic comes in 29 colours. Granite in four types: Steel Grey leather, Coffee Brown leather, Tan Brown polished and Nero Assoluto honed.
Do I need to seal a granite table top?
Yes. After delivery and then again every two to three years. For daily cleaning use a pH-neutral cleaner, not vinegar or lemon.
Which top is lighter, ceramic or granite?
Ceramic. The top is 12 or 20 mm thick against 30 mm for granite, so it is lighter than a granite top of the same size. Both are heavy.
Can a hot pan go on ceramic or granite?
On ceramic, yes. On granite always use a trivet, because a hot pan can crack it through thermal shock.
