What to look for when buying a ceramic dining table

Ceramic has become the most popular table material in our workshop over the past five years. Not without reason — but there are things you need to know before you buy.

How is this material made?

We work with Dekton® ceramic from the Spanish company Cosentino. The natural components — more than 20 minerals — are mixed and heated together with natural pigments to 600 °C under strictly controlled conditions. The slab is then cut to size and compressed using the exclusive TSP technology (Technology of Sintered Particles). This pressing is done with a force equivalent to the weight of 2.5 Eiffel Towers — 20% more pressure than in any other ceramic factory in the world (source: Cosentino). This extreme pressure gives Dekton® its unique properties.

Finally, the definitive pattern is applied to the slab and it is sintered at a temperature of 1200 °C (source: Cosentino). Dekton contains no organic materials and therefore does not degrade the way organic materials do. The slab is then cut to the customer's specifications and shipped to our workshop.

What does this mean for your ceramic dining table?

This process makes the table top so hard that no micro-defects can form that would cause stress or weak points. The porosity is virtually zero. As a result, the Dekton ceramic table top is scratch-resistant, resistant to UV radiation and temperature fluctuations, and suitable for both outdoor and indoor use.

Practical in everyday life

The material is low-maintenance, stain-resistant and resistant to acids and aggressive cleaning products. The latter does not apply to regular ceramic — this is where Dekton® clearly stands apart. You can easily place a hot pan on the table without worrying about your table top.

Ceramic with a marble look is a popular choice with us. Many customers want the appearance of marble but not the drawbacks. Marble is porous, prone to staining and not colourfast. Dekton® ceramic in a marble look offers the same aesthetic without compromising on practicality.

And yes — a Dekton® ceramic table top can also be used outdoors. The same colour and style as your dining table, but on your terrace. We regularly make matching dining and garden table sets.

How do you combine a ceramic dining table?

Ceramic has a sleek, modern appearance. With our 3D configurator you can customise the table top in shape and colour. A ceramic top pairs well with steel and leather for an industrial feel. With a coarser fabric on the dining chairs you make the whole setting more homely, and a stainless steel base gives a more modern look.

Drawbacks and considerations

We are honest: ceramic is not for everyone.

• Feels colder: ceramic feels colder than wood. On a winter morning you will notice the difference.
• Sound: tableware makes more noise on ceramic than on wood. A placemat or tablecloth solves that.
• Edge damage: a hard knock on the edge can chip a piece off. That is why we apply a bevelled edge as standard — this significantly reduces that risk.
• No warmth of wood: wood has a character that ceramic cannot match. If you value character and patina more than stain resistance, you are better off with oak.

Sustainability

Sustainability is an important reason for us to work with Dekton®. Production is entirely CO2-neutral at the factory in Almeria, Spain. Waste generated during the production process is collected and reprocessed. The Dekton Trilium and Radium ranges consist of more than 85% recycled material. The factory has its own solar panel park and reuses 99% of its water.

In 2022, Cosentino received the B-rating from the CDP organisation (Carbon Disclosure Project).

Warranty

The ceramic table top comes with a 25-year warranty, provided you register with Cosentino. We are happy to help you with that. More information on our warranty page.

Delivery time

Because we keep production within Europe and are not dependent on suppliers outside Europe, the delivery time is 3 to 6 weeks.

Summary

Curious whether ceramic suits your interior? Below is an overview of the advantages. And you are always welcome for advice in our showroom in Maasbree.

Advantages of Dekton® ceramic:

• Scratch-resistant
• UV-resistant
• Temperature-resistant
• Low-maintenance
• Stain-resistant
• Suitable for indoor and outdoor use
• CO2-neutral production
• 25-year warranty