Porcelain countertops, from the kitchen to the braai
Dekton, Neolith, Sapienstone and Infinity, cut in our own workshop in Diep River and fitted across Cape Town. Porcelain takes heat and sun that would mark standard quartz, so it works inside and out. Measuring and quotes are free.
Inside
Outside
Porcelain we cut
- Dekton
- Neolith
- Sapienstone
- Infinity
- Heat, sun and stains
- Slabs from 6 to 20 mm
- Inside and outside
- Free measuring and quotes
What are porcelain countertops?
Porcelain countertops, also sold as sintered stone or ultracompact surfaces, are made from clays and minerals pressed and fired at very high heat. There is no resin in them. That is why it handles hot pans and years of sun that can mark standard quartz, though the makers still ask for it to be kept away from open flame and the direct heat of a fire.
The slabs are thin, very hard and very large, so an island or a wall can go in with few joins. Marble Mill cuts the four brands most asked for in Cape Town: Dekton, Neolith, Sapienstone and Infinity.
-
6 mmWalls, splashbacks and furniture.
-
12 mmThe usual countertop.
-
20 mmHeavier tops and outdoor work.
-
Mitred edgeA 12 mm slab that shows 40 mm at the front.
Most porcelain carries its pattern on the surface, with a plainer body underneath; some ranges run the colour through the slab. It shows at a cut edge or a sink cut-out, so ask which one you are looking at before you choose.
Where does porcelain work best?
Anywhere heat, sun, water or a very large surface would push quartz or marble past its limits. These are the places we fit it most.
Outside, at the braai
The one place standard quartz should not go. Strong sun discolours it over time; porcelain holds its colour, handles hot pans and wipes clean of fat and ash. It goes beside the fire, not into it: the makers ask for a gap from direct heat, and we plan it when we template.
- Choose
- A matte finish: it hides fingerprints and does not glare in the sun.
- Plan for
- Solid, level supports and a slight fall so rain runs off. We check both when we template.
In the kitchen
A slim 12 mm top with a crisp edge, a pan straight off the hob, red wine left overnight: porcelain shrugs off the things that mark other surfaces.
- Choose
- A thin top for a light, modern look, or a mitred edge if you want it to read thicker.
- Plan for
- A cutting board: porcelain is harder than your knives and will blunt them.
On the walls
Large panels make a splashback, a fireplace surround or a feature wall with one or two joins instead of a grid of tiles. Two panels cut from neighbouring slabs can be book-matched so the veins mirror each other.
- Choose
- 6 mm panels for walls: light to hang, and each one as large as the slab allows.
- Plan for
- A flat, sound wall behind. We look at it when we measure.
In the bathroom
Shower walls in two or three panels and no grout lines to clean, and a vanity top in the same stone. Porcelain does not absorb water, so steam and splashes leave nothing behind.
- Choose
- One pattern for the walls and the vanity, so the room reads as one surface.
- Plan for
- The panel sizes: large panels need a clear way in to the room.
Which porcelain brands do you cut?
All four, from the brands’ own current colour lists. Use their catalogues for the swatches, then send us the name.
Dekton
By Cosentino. Ultracompact surface, 58 colours on the South African list.
Shown: Laurent. Also Nebbia, Entzo, Kreta, Sirius.
All 58 Dekton colours
Adia, Aeris, Akara, Albarium, Arga, Argentium, Aura, Ava, Avorio, Awake, Bergen, Borealis, Domoos, Dunna, Entzo, Eter, Evok, Grafite, Grekk, Grigio, Halo, Helena, Kedar, Keena, Kelya, Khalo, Kira, Kobuk, Kreta, Laos, Laurent, Lucid, Lunar, Marina, Marmorio, Moone, Morpheus, Nacre, Nara, Nebbia, Neural, Nordal, Polar, Rem, Reverie, Sabbia, Sandik, Sirius, Soke, Somnia, Talma, Thala, Trance, Trevi, Trilium, Umber, Zenith, Zira.
Neolith
Sintered stone from Spain. 68 models worldwide; ask which are held in South Africa.
Shown: Calacatta Luxe. Also Iron Corten, Pietra di Osso, Nero Zimbabwe.
All 68 Neolith models
Abu Dhabi White, Amazonico, Arabesque, Arctic White, Arena, Artisan, Aspen Grey, Azahar, Azure, Barro, Basalt Black, Basalt Grey, Beton, Black Obsession, Calacatta, Calacatta Gold, Calacatta Luxe, Calacatta Roma, Calacatta Royale, Calatorao, Calista, Cappadocia Sunset, Cement, Colorado Dunes, Colosseo, Crème, Estatuario, Everest Sunrise, Himalaya Crystal, Ignea, Iron Copper, Iron Corten, Iron Frost, Iron Grey, Just White, Krater, La Bohème, Layla, Lux, Mamba, Metropolitan, Mont Blanc, Nero, Nero Zimbabwe, New York-New York, Niagara, Nivola, Obsidian, Pasadena, Pietra di Luna, Pietra di Osso, Pietra di Piombo, Pietra Grey, Pulpis, Rapolano, Retrostone, San Simone, Serpeggiante, Shilin, Strata Argentum, Summer Dala, Taj Mahal, Terrazo Ceppo, Toscano, Victoria, WhiteSands, Wulong, Zaha Stone.
Sapienstone
Italian porcelain made for kitchen tops. 48 models.
Shown: Fior di Bosco. Also Calacatta Macchia Vecchia, Taj Mahal, Urban Antracite.
All 48 Sapienstone models
Alaska White, Arabescato, Arabescato 4D, Balance Azure, Balance Chester Green, Balance Ivory, Balance Light Grey, Balance Marsala Red, Balance Nude, Balance Ochre, Balance Steel Blue, Bianco Lasa, Black Diamond, Breccia Imperiale, Breccia Rosa 4D, Bright Onyx, Calacatta, Calacatta 4D, Calacatta Aureo 4D, Calacatta Macchia Vecchia, Calacatta Macchia Vecchia 4D, Ceppo Varese, Crema Avorio, Crema Neve, Dark Marquina, Dress Code, Fior di Bosco, Fior di Viola 4D, Grigio Savelli, Jatoba Brown 4D, Kuroca 4D, Luna Limestone, Muschelkalk, Palladium Grey, Piasentina, Pietra Grey, Platinum White, Premium White, Quarzite Vals, Rovere Baio, Rovere Buckskin, Silver Wave 4D, Taj Mahal, Travessa, Uni Ice, Urban Antracite, Urban Argento, White Calacatta.
Infinity
Italian large-format porcelain. 89 models.
Shown: Metal Corten. Also Calacatta Oro, Travertino Bianco, Absolute Black.
All 89 Infinity models
Absolute Black, Absolute White, Andromeda, Antibes, Arabescato Diva, Arabescato Nabuk, Bercy, Breccia Laurentina, Buxy Select, Calacatta Brasile, Calacatta Glory, Calacatta Hermitage, Calacatta Magnifico, Calacatta Oro, Calacatta Viola, Cammeo, Ceppo Romano, Chianca di Ostuni, Classic Statuario, Concrete Grey, Concrete Light, Crystal Clear, Crystal Ice, Défense, Extra Statuario, Fior di Luna, Fossil, Fossil Row, Fossil Tartan, Fragmentis Burn, Fragmentis Row, Ginza Doro, Ginza Midori, Ginza Sorairo, Gordes, Holos Aegean Blue, Holos Andaman Emerald, Holos Hyams White, Holos Vik Black, Iconic Cipollino, Magellano, Metal Corten, Metal Dark, Milan Stone, Nacra Bronze, Nacra Steel, Nacra Titanium, Nero Marquinia, Ocean Blue, Onyx White, Orobico Luxe, Palladium Ivory, Panda White, Pietra Grey, Pigalle, Plaster Ash, Plaster Bone, Plaster Ground, Plaster Sand, Plaster Snow, Plaster Warm, Provençale, Pulpis Brown, Rosso Domus, Royal, Royal Peacock, Sahara Noir, Sandstone Dune, Sandstone Gray, Sandstone Light, Sandstone Silver, Sandstone Warm, Santos, Statuario Principe, Taj Mahal, Terrazzo White, Thunderstorm, Total Black, Total Grey, Total White, Travertino Bianco, Travertino Chiaro, Travertino Dust, Travertino Grey, Travertino Trilogy, Tundra Select, Velvet Ivory, Verde France, White Macaubas.
The rooms and close-ups on this page are renders of the surfaces named, generated from each brand’s own slab images. For photographs of work we have fitted, see the gallery.
Porcelain, quartz or granite?
We cut all three, so the honest answer is the one that fits the room.
Choose porcelain if
- The top goes outside, or gets strong sun through a window.
- You want a slim, modern edge or a very large island with few joins.
- Hot pans often go down wherever is nearest.
Choose quartz if
- You want the widest choice of colours, from plain whites to marble looks.
- It stays indoors, out of direct sun.
- You want a thicker, softer-edged top.
Choose granite if
- You want a natural stone, every slab different.
- It is a hard-working kitchen or scullery.
- You are happy to seal it now and then.
What decides the price of porcelain?
We quote every job from its measurements, so there is no price list. These are the things that move it.
-
The brand and the range
Each brand prices its ranges differently, and marble looks usually sit above plain colours.
-
Thickness and slab size
A 20 mm slab costs more than a 12 mm one, and how well your pieces fit on the slabs decides how many slabs the job takes.
-
The edges
A slim square edge is the simplest. A mitred edge that makes a thin slab read thicker takes a strip of stone and careful hand work.
-
Cutting and fitting
Porcelain is harder to cut and polish than quartz, and thin, large slabs need more hands and care to move and fit.
-
Outdoor work
A braai counter needs supports, a fall for rain and a gap from the fire, and the site has to allow the slabs in.
How do you look after porcelain?
- Warm water and a mild cleaner. Nothing soaks in, so there is nothing to seal.
- Hot pans are fine. There is no resin in it to scorch.
- Use a board to cut on. Porcelain is harder than your knives and will blunt them.
- Mind the edges. The surface is very hard, but a heavy knock on a sharp corner can chip it, which is why the edge detail matters.
From measuring to fitted
-
Measure and quote
Send a drawing or bring your plans, and we quote from that. For a firm price we come out and measure. Free, either way.
-
Template
Once the cabinets or supports are in, a fitter templates the exact shape, inside or out.
-
Cut and polish
The slabs are cut in Diep River, the cut-outs machined and the edges finished.
-
Install
Usually 4 to 5 days after templating, our own crew fits the pieces and fills the joins with a colour-matched filler.
What customers say
“From start to finish of our new countertop we experienced the impeccable service of Marble Mill. Upon entering their office, we had the most kind help in choosing the material. The template was made in our house by one of Marble Mill’s crew members who gave us exquisite advice to make our new kitchen more amazing. Soon after, the installation crew did their job and I must say, what fantastic workers! Kind, thorough, hardworking and true craftsmen. The end result is better than we expected.”
Linda, Google review, June 2026
“I had an excellent experience with Marble Mill for my kitchen countertop installation. Dewald, Mandy, Cisco, Scott, and the whole team were very professional, efficient, and did a fantastic job! The countertops look amazing, and the entire process was smooth from start to finish. Highly recommend their services!”
Fourie, Google review, November 2024
Questions people ask about porcelain
What is sintered stone?
Sintered stone, ultracompact surface and porcelain slab are names for the same kind of material: clays and minerals pressed and fired at very high heat into a thin, very hard slab with no resin in it. Dekton and Neolith are sintered stone; Sapienstone and Infinity call theirs porcelain.
Is porcelain better than quartz?
It is better at heat and sun: it handles hot pans and years of sunlight that can mark standard quartz. Quartz offers more colours and a softer, thicker look. For indoor kitchens both work well; for outdoor kitchens and braai areas, choose porcelain.
Can porcelain countertops go outdoors?
Yes. Porcelain resists UV, heat and water, so it suits outdoor kitchens and braai areas. A matte finish is kinder in bright sun, and the counter needs solid supports, a slight fall for rain and a gap from the fire itself, all planned when we template.
Can I put a hot pan on porcelain?
Yes, at countertop thickness, because porcelain is fired at far higher temperatures than a pan reaches. Thin slabs want a trivet (Dekton asks for one on its 8 mm), and every maker says to keep it away from open flame and the direct heat of a fire.
Does porcelain chip?
The surface is very hard and resists scratches, but a heavy knock on a sharp corner can chip the edge. Choosing the right edge profile and fitting it carefully matters more with porcelain than with thicker stones.
How thick are porcelain countertops?
The brands make slabs from about 6 mm to 20 mm. 12 mm is the usual countertop; 6 mm suits walls and splashbacks; 20 mm suits heavier and outdoor work. A mitred edge makes a 12 mm slab show 40 mm at the front.
Which porcelain brands do you cut?
Dekton, Neolith, Sapienstone and Infinity. You choose the slab and we measure, template, cut and fit it from our workshop in Diep River.
Do you charge for measuring and quotes?
No. All measuring and quotes are free. You only pay for the work we do.
Send us the measurements, inside or out
A drawing, a photo of the plan or a list of lengths is enough to start. We come out to measure before anything is cut, and the quote is free.
Mon to Thu 7:45 to 16:30, Fri 7:45 to 15:00. 11 Mocke Road, Diep River, Cape Town. Also see quartz countertops, kitchen countertops and wall cladding.
Recent Comments