13 Dekton Countertops Pros and Cons

Dekton is a blend of raw materials used to produce porcelain, glass, and quartz work surfaces. It utilizes a process referred to as Sinterized Particle Technology, which accelerates the metamorphic changes which occur to natural stone. Instead of spending thousands of years under high pressure and temperatures, this high-tech option creates a synthetic replica that can be used to create an amazing countertop.

The manufacturer of Dekton is Consentino North America. Lorenzo Marquez, the Vice President of Marketing for the company, described the material like this to Consumer Reports. “I would describe it as a hybrid of the best materials in the market for surfacing. It’s a new product category. There are similar products from an aesthetic since, but nothing like it from composition.”

“The look and feel is unique,” said Marquez.

If you’re thinking about giving your kitchen a new look, or you’re working on building a new home, then here are the pros and cons of Dekton countertops to review.

List of the Pros of Dekton Countertops

1. It offers a high UV resistance once installed.
Dekton countertops are very resistant to ultraviolet light. They do not experience the same issues with color fading that other materials in the kitchen encounter. It doesn’t degrade with use either, which makes it suitable for indoor or outdoor installations. If you want your kitchen countertops to look just as good 10 years from now as they do when they’re first installed, this is a material you’ll want to consider.

2. Dekton offers homes a surface that is scratch-resistant.
Countertops often take a nick or two from knives over the years. That’s the nature of baking and cooking on a regular basis in your home. When you encounter a slip of the knife with other surfaces, you might damage your countertop. A different outcome occurs when you have Dekton installed in your kitchen. Although cutting boards are still recommended with this material, the scratch resistance it offers protects against accidental damage caused by your common household utensils.

3. It offers a strong resistance to stains.
Dekton isn’t just stain-resistant; it is stain proof. Even if you spill coffee or wine on the countertop, the unique nature of its zero-porosity design stops a stain before it starts. The material contains zero resins, which makes is a chemical-resistant surface as well. Even if you accidentally drip bleach on your new countertops, the surface can withstand the potential harm to keep looking like it was newly installed. It even resists rust and markers, making it the perfect go-to material for a remodel or new construction project.

4. Dekton is also heat- and fire-resistant.
You can place a hot pot or pan on your Dekton countertops without worrying that the surface will be damaged. Even the heat from a Crock Pot won’t affect the surface once it is properly installed. The unique nature of this product is that it doesn’t crack, scorch, or burn when exposed to high temperatures. That means your kitchen becomes more versatile when you have this surface available to you.

5. It is resistant to abrasion.
When compared to granite countertops, Dekton provides a superior resistance to abrasion. The manufacturer suggests that this makes this material an option for high-traffic areas, commercial applications, and even flooring. As a surface, it never needs to be re-finished or re-surfaced because of its anti-wear capabilities. When used as a countertop, you don’t need to worry about sealing the countertops either. Once installed, it does a good job standing on its own.

6. Dekton offers resistance to thawing and ice.
Another unique property associated with this synthetic material is its low co-efficiency rating. It does not expand or contract during temperature changes like other materials do. That means you can install this material in outdoor kitchens where other materials wouldn’t be well-suited. Dekton offers a natural resistance to the cold, including ice, which allows you to enjoy your new counters, whatever the weather happens to be. It offers a consistent dimensional stability.

7. It offers a high level of mechanical resistance.
Compared to a granite countertop, Dekton offers a product with five times the flex strength. That means you can install it as a thinner material over a larger span in your kitchen. Up to 12 inches of unsupported overhang are possible with this product, giving you more options for islands, bartops, or other kitchen elements. With its high compressive strength, you will find that it creates surfaces that are versatile, meeting almost any need you may have for an indoor or outdoor kitchen.

8. Multiple color options are available for Dekton countertops.
You have a wide variety of options from which to choose if you like the idea of owning a Dekton countertop. Many of the looks replicate what granite or marble accomplish for the modern kitchen. It is possible to achieve a comparable look for about half the price of what it would be to install a premium product in the modern kitchen. That kind of versatility makes it easier for more homeowners to create the kitchen of their dreams, no matter what their budget might be.

List of the Cons of Dekton Countertops

1. It cracked under standard testing procedures from Consumer Reports.
Consumer Reports tested Dekton for the first time in 2015 to determine its strength, durability and resistance factors. It scored very well in tests for stains, heat, cutting, and chopping. It was also rated “very good” for its resistance to abrasion. When the impact tests were run, however, the material didn’t stand up well when compared to other materials.

Pieces of the edges chipped off of the countertops that were tested. When a weighted object was dropped onto the surface from height, simulating a heavy pot falling a distance from 2 feet from above the counter, the Dekton cracked into two pieces that were at the manufacturer’s recommended thickness.

It was the only material tested by Consumer Reports which cracked in such a way.

2. Dekton must be professionally installed.
If you attempt to install a Dekton countertop on your own, then you will void the 25-year warranty which is associated with the product. The only possible exception to this would be if you work as a professional contractor, marble manufacturer, or countertop installer. For the warranty to apply, you must be able to provide proof of purchase for the materials. You must also register for the warranty within 60 days of purchase.

Because Cosentino does not participate in the manufacturing or installation process, damage which occurs from these activities are not covered by the warranty. You are able to transfer the warranty to a new owner if you sell your home.

3. It may be affordable, but it isn’t the cheapest option on the market today.
If you’re thinking about a Dekton countertop, then you’re facing a price range of about $75 to $100 per square foot. Despite the material being marketed as an affordable alternative, that only applies to marble, granite, and some stainless-steel countertops.

You can purchase Formica or plastic laminate countertops for as little as $20 per square foot installed. Corian countertops top out at the $65 range, while travertine, soapstone, silestone, and recycled glass are competitively priced with Dekton.

4. Dekton is available from specialty retailers only.
The only exception to this rule is The Home Depot, where you can find Dekton available exclusively from a chain retail standpoint. Although the materials are supported by a licensed and insured fabricator network that is background-checked, the only way to see how the materials look in your home is to purchase a $10 sample from your local store. You’re limited to three 4-inch by 4-inch tiles per order of the color that you want.

The Home Depot does provide a credit for samples when you bring in your receipt to purchase a Dekton countertop later. Unless you have a specialty installer in your community, this is your only option in the United States for this surface option.

5. It is up to you to verify the installer is certified to work with Dekton.
If you decide to purchase Dekton countertops for your kitchen, then you must verify that the installer is qualified to work with the product. Choosing an installer that is not certified may void your warranty, even though they might be a professional installer. Although you don’t need to seal the countertop, if you use tiles for your kitchen instead, then the joints must still be sealed 24 hours after laying the tiles.

You must use a rubber trowel when working with Dekton countertop tiles. If the mortar is not properly removed, the shine of the material can be reduced, which would become a warranty violation because Consentino doesn’t cover installation issues.

These Dekton countertop pros and cons indicate two potential issues to consider before installation: (1) will there be heavy items that could fall onto the surface; and (2) does it meet your budgetary expectations. If you can avoid impacts on the surface, or if you use a thicker product, then the other traits of this material are strongly worth considering. Should that not be the case, a different material might make a better option for your new kitchen counters.