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Porcelain is a relatively affordable, mid-range countertop material. It typically costs between $50 to $70 per square foot.

Compared to quartz, porcelain is slightly more affordable, as quartz generally ranges from $50 to $200 per square foot. However, lower-quality, builder's grade quartz can be similar in price to porcelain.

Compared to granite, the price can be similar, depending on the quality of the stone. While granite slabs can range from $50 to $200 per square foot, you can find lower-end granite in the same price range as porcelain. High-end granites will cost significantly more.

Porcelain is generally more expensive than laminate, acrylic, and ceramic, but less expensive than high-end slate, concrete, and marble. A key benefit is that porcelain does not require sealing, which reduces long-term maintenance costs.

You can cut food on tough, scratch-resistant granite countertops. However, these hard surfaces can quickly dull your knife blades, and continual cutting in the same spot can eventually lead to marks forming and compromising the protective sealant. As with any countertop material, it’s always best to use a chopping board.

Granite is one of the most popular options for countertops, and most homeowners believe that granite countertops are worth the money. Granite is more affordable than marble and quartz, and provides outstanding durability and longevity. Granite countertops are also desirable because they are entirely unique; unlike some other countertop materials, your granite slab won’t be identical to any others. Granite is porous, which means it has the potential to stain if you don’t clean up spills quickly, but the general durability and relatively low cost make it well worth the investment.

Yes, Corian® and other solid surface countertops can be cut with standard woodworking tools like a circular saw or a jigsaw, but using the correct blade is crucial for the best results.

The recommended blade is a tungsten carbide-tipped blade, often called a solid-surface planer or triple chip grind blade. This type of blade is hard enough to cut through the material effectively. For a jigsaw, a fine-tooth down-cutting blade should be used.

It is important to note that a diamond blade is not necessary. Diamond blades are designed for harder materials like natural stone, concrete, or brick, and Corian is not a natural stone.

Using blades designed for wood is not recommended as they can cause microfractures that weaken the countertop's edges. While a tungsten carbide blade provides a much cleaner cut, the resulting edge will still be rough and must be sanded and smoothed to prevent microfractures from developing over time.