it's not the support that's the issue. It's expansion and contraction that causes tiny cracks. If the wood underneath expands, and the material doesn't not flex with it, what do you think is going to happen? the thinset allows for flexion w/o breaking.
Do you apply silicone blobs to porcelain floor tile or wall tile? no. it's set w/mortar. A porcelain slab is no different than a giant tile.
This material is not stone and it's not a man made material from quartz and resin. Porcelain is made from clay. So why would install be the same?
The slabs also need to be handled differently during transport to be fabricated. during fabrication special tools are needed to prevent hairline cracks and fissures. Mitering and cuts need to be done differently. And of course 90% coverage is needed w/proper mortar. When fabricated and installed correctly, porcelain countertops can be stronger than granite.
So, as you can see, it's a specialized product that should not be treated like other materials.
They have schools that show fabricators/installers how to install this material. if it was supposed to be 'silicone blobs', why the extra courses? Why all the hoopla over porcelain countertops getting cracks and fissures? It's because the install was done incorrectly.
As for price not as high as people are quoting. Maybe because we have hundreds of fabricators in my area.
Or maybe it's because they don't do anything differently than installing stone/or quartz. what they don't tell you is complaints they get down the line. They blame it on the product, not their method of install.
Q
Special considerations for porcelain slab installs.
Q