A ceramic tabletop is becoming more and more common on the terrace. It looks like natural stone, can take a knock, and needs almost no maintenance. But is it really as strong as it's often claimed to be? What are the drawbacks you only notice after a few months? And how does ceramic compare to Centostone, Vironwood, wood and aluminium? In this article we set out all the advantages and disadvantages honestly, with a short test, maintenance in steps and tables with a ceramic top from our range.
In short: a ceramic top is hard, scratch-, heat- and stain-resistant and you keep it clean with a bit of soapy water. The drawbacks: it is heavy, feels cool to the touch, the edges are vulnerable to a hard knock, and the price is higher. Ideal for a fixed dining table where a lot happens. If you move the table often or want warm wood, look at a different top. Not sure? Take the test.
At a glance: today's prices
| Product | Today's price | |
|---|---|---|
| Scotland garden table 230x115 cm carbon black | €1,149 at bol.com | View at bol.com → |
| Garden table 240x100 cm Centostone Napoli sand | €1,399 at bol.com | View at bol.com → |
| Lowland round garden table 150 cm carbon black | €999 at bol.com | View at bol.com → |
| Lowland round garden table Ø120 cm light teak look | €684.95 at bol.com | View at bol.com → |
| Domingo dining garden table 160x90 cm grey | €499 at bol.com | View at bol.com → |
What is a ceramic tabletop?
Ceramic is a collective name for materials based on clay and other minerals that are fired at high temperature. The result is a hard, dense slab with a smooth surface. For tabletops it is used because it looks like natural stone but is far less porous. Liquids stay on the surface instead of soaking in.
You hear both keramiek and keramisch. The difference is simple: keramiek is the material, keramisch is the adjective. A keramisch tafelblad is therefore a tabletop made of ceramic. In the garden you usually find it on an aluminium frame, so the base can stay outside just like the top. We compare ceramic tables from Taste by 4 Seasons, such as the Denia and the Manolo, and from 4 Seasons Outdoor, among others. Not every table has an aluminium base: the Donato has one in steel and the Arizona in stainless steel.
Ceramic and Centostone: the same?
If you go looking for a ceramic garden table, you'll soon come across the name Centostone. That is the material of the tops of a number of Garden Impressions tables. The brand describes Centostone as comparable to ceramic, but more compact and stronger. In the product specifications the top of these same tables is often simply listed as ceramic. Whether it is technically exactly the same material is something the brand leaves open.
For you as a user, the similarities matter more than the label. Both are hard, smooth and, according to the product information, do not absorb moisture, and both are maintained in the same way. You can read more about the material itself in what is a Centostone garden table.
The advantages of a ceramic tabletop
The reason ceramic is so popular can be summed up in one sentence: it is a top you don't have to look after much. These are the strong points at a glance.
Advantages of ceramic
- Scratch-resistant: sliding crockery and cutlery leave no marks in normal use
- Heat-resistant: a hot dish doesn't have to cause immediate panic
- Stain-resistant: wine, coffee and barbecue grease don't soak in, so no rings
- Low maintenance: no oil, stain or sandpaper, a bit of soapy water is enough
- Weather-resistant: many models are listed as All Weather and can stay outside
- Sleek look: a calm stone look that suits both modern and rural gardens
You only notice the biggest advantage after a few years: a ceramic top looks almost the same after a season outside, whereas an untreated wooden top has already turned grey by then.
Especially if you eat outside often and the barbecue is on, that stain-resistant surface is worth its weight in gold. A forgotten glass of red wine or a drop of olive oil just wipes away the next morning.
The disadvantages of a ceramic tabletop
No material is perfect. These are the points you should think about in advance, so you aren't disappointed afterwards.
It is heavy
A large stone-like top weighs considerably more than an aluminium top. You can't simply move such a table into the sun. Decide on a fixed spot in advance and lift it with a few people, rather than dragging it.
The edges are hard, not unbreakable
Ceramic is hard, but not flexible. A solid blow with something heavy on the edge or a corner can chip it. Be careful with parasol bases, wheelbarrows and heavy pots near the table.
It feels cool
On a fresh spring evening or in autumn, stone feels colder than wood. A table runner, placemats or a few cushions on the chairs make the table instantly cosier.
Higher price range
A table with a ceramic top is generally in a higher price range than a simple table with an aluminium or wooden top. On the other hand, you don't spend money and time on oil, stain or a new top. Compare the current prices on the product pages.
Heat is no licence
Heat-resistant doesn't mean you can put every pan straight from the flame onto a cold top. A large temperature difference in one spot is an unnecessary strain for any hard stone-like material. A trivet or board costs nothing.
Ceramic compared with Vironwood, wood and aluminium
Torn between tabletops? This table sets the main differences side by side. It is a qualitative comparison, not a measurement.
| Top | Strong point | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| Ceramic or Centostone | Scratch-, heat- and stain-resistant | Heavy, cool stone look |
| Vironwood | Wood look without oil | Don't sand |
| Wood (teak, acacia) | Warm and natural | Cleaning and oiling |
| Aluminium | Light and rustproof | Sleek, cool look |
In short: ceramic wins on maintenance and stains, wood on warmth and atmosphere, aluminium on weight, and Vironwood sits in between with a wood look without oil. Which wood works best you can read in which wood is best for a garden table.
Want to look at it per situation? Then this decision guide helps.
| Your situation | Best top |
|---|---|
| Fixed dining table, lots of barbecuing | Ceramic or Centostone |
| Wood look, no maintenance | Vironwood |
| Atmosphere, maintenance is no problem | Teak or acacia |
| Table often moved | Aluminium |
| Small balcony or lounge corner | Low table or side table |
Test: is a ceramic top right for you?
Answer four short questions and see which tabletop best suits your way of gardening and eating outdoors.
Is a ceramic tabletop right for you?
How much time do you want to spend on your tabletop per season?
- As little as possible, a bit of soapy water should be enough
- Wiping it now and then is fine, but no oil
- I actually enjoy an oiling or staining session
- Little, and I also want to be able to lift the table easily
How do you want it to feel when you rest your arms on the table?
- Smooth and sleek, like natural stone
- A wood look, without splinters or grain
- Real wood with a warm grain
- A thin, sleek metal top
How often does your garden table move around the terrace?
- Never, it gets a fixed spot
- Rarely, and then with two people
- Regularly, into the sun or into the shed
What is most often on your garden table?
- Barbecue platters, red wine and olive oil
- Breakfast and coffee, and it always has to look neat
- Candles and long dinners, atmosphere comes first
- A drink next to the lounge set, not much else
A ceramic or Centostone top suits you. You want a fixed table that can handle stains, heat and weather and needs virtually no maintenance. You are happy to accept the weight and the cool stone look.
Vironwood probably suits you better. You want the warm feel of wood, but without oil or sandpaper. A Vironwood top gives you a wood look that you keep clean with a bit of soapy water, just like ceramic.
Go for a wooden top. You are looking for atmosphere and warmth and don't mind a maintenance session. Teak or acacia ages beautifully, as long as you clean and oil it now and then.
A table with an aluminium top is more practical. You move the table often or use it as a place to put things down. Aluminium is light, doesn't rust and is quick to wipe clean.
Do you also need to choose the size, shape or chairs alongside the top? The selection guide will help you on your way in a few questions. How much space you need around the table is explained in how much space do you need for a garden table.
How to maintain a ceramic tabletop
Maintenance is exactly why many people choose ceramic. With these steps you keep the top and frame looking good in a few minutes. The product information for the Garden Impressions tables says the same: a mild soap solution, a soft cloth and no aggressive cleaning agents.
Remove crumbs, leaves and sand with a soft brush or dry cloth. Grains of sand that you rub over the top with a wet cloth act like sandpaper.
Lukewarm water with a few drops of washing-up liquid or green soap is enough. Use a soft cloth or a non-scratch sponge.
Dampen dried-on grease or bird droppings with soapy water first and let it soak for a moment. Then wipe it away without scratching or scrubbing.
Wipe the top with clean water and dry it with a microfibre cloth. This prevents soap residue and limescale marks from dried drops.
Clean the aluminium base with the same soap solution and let it dry thoroughly. More tips in maintaining aluminium garden furniture.
How often?
During the season, a quick wipe with a damp cloth after eating is enough. A thorough clean with soapy water, the top and the frame, is done at the start and end of the season. You'll find detailed maintenance advice in maintaining ceramic garden furniture.
In winter
Most tables with a ceramic or Centostone top are listed as All Weather and may stay outside. The product descriptions do recommend a protective cover, though. Choose a breathable protective cover rather than a sealed plastic sheet, because condensation gets trapped underneath.
Checklist before you buy
Tick off what applies to you. If you can tick most of the points, a ceramic top is a good choice.
- The table will have a fixed spot on the terrace
- I don't want to spend time on oil or stain
- A lot of eating and barbecuing takes place at the table
- I like a sleek stone look
- The ground is level, or the table has adjustable feet
- I have coasters and a chopping board at home
- There is a breathable protective cover for winter
Garden tables with a ceramic top
Convinced? These are available tables with a ceramic or Centostone top from our range. All specs come from the product information; current prices and shops are on the product page.
Oval for 6 people: Scotland 230x115 cm
An oval top in Napoli sand on a dark grey aluminium frame, with 6 seats and 68 cm to the underside of the top. The table is listed as All Weather in the specifications.
Scotland garden table 230x115 cm carbon black
Rectangular and spacious: garden table 240x100 cm
A rectangular top measuring 240 x 100 cm with 6 seats. The distance between the table legs is 170 cm, so you have plenty of legroom, and with the adjustable feet you can level the table on an uneven surface.
Garden table 240x100 cm Centostone Napoli sand
Round: Lowland Ø150 and Ø120 cm
A round table makes for cosier conversation. The Lowland Ø150 cm offers 6 seats and 72 cm underneath the top. For a smaller terrace there is the Lowland Ø120 cm for four people, with adjustable feet.
Lowland round garden table 150 cm carbon black
Lowland round garden table Ø120 cm light teak look
Compact and grey: Domingo 160x90 cm
Prefer a grey stone look instead of sand? The Domingo has a Centostone top in medium grey on a grey aluminium frame, with 4 seats and 69 cm to the underside of the top.
Domingo dining garden table 160x90 cm grey
For the lounge set
Want to carry the stone look over to the lounge corner? There are also low lounge tables and a compact side table with a Centostone top.
Nice lounge table 130x70xH40 cm
View table →
Nice lounge table Ø80xH40 cm taupe
View table →
Vento side table Ø45xH41 cm
View table →You'll find all the models together in the ceramic garden tables and the Centostone garden tables. Want to look at other materials too? Then browse all garden tables or first read buying a garden table: what to look out for and best garden table 2026.
Frequently asked questions
What are the main benefits of a ceramic table top?
A ceramic top is hard, smooth and barely absorbs moisture. That makes it highly resistant to scratches, heat and stains, and you can keep it clean with a little washing-up liquid and a soft cloth. You don't need to oil or stain it, and with most models it can stay outside all year round.
What are the drawbacks of a ceramic table top?
A large ceramic top makes the table heavy, so you won't move it around on a whim. The surface feels cooler than wood, the edges can chip after a hard knock, and such a table is usually in a higher price bracket than a simple table with an aluminium or wooden top.
Is a ceramic table top scratch-resistant?
Ceramic is one of the hardest table top materials for outdoor use. Sliding crockery and cutlery leave no marks in normal use. Scratch-resistant does not mean indestructible, though: cut on a chopping board, don't drag heavy objects across the top, and never use steel wool or abrasive cleaners.
Can you put a hot pan on a ceramic table top?
Ceramic can handle heat well, but a trivet is still sensible. A large temperature difference in one spot, such as a scorching hot pan on a cold top, is an unnecessary strain for any hard, stone-like material. A trivet or board eliminates that risk.
What is the difference between ceramic and Centostone?
Centostone is a material from Garden Impressions, which the brand describes as similar to ceramic but more compact and stronger. In the product specifications, the same tables are often listed as ceramic. For use and maintenance it makes little difference: both are hard, you clean them with a mild washing-up liquid solution, and neither tolerates abrasive cleaners.
Can a table with a ceramic top stay outside over winter?
For the Garden Impressions tables with a ceramic or Centostone top, the specifications state All Weather, so they can remain outdoors. For other brands this isn't always stated, so check the product information for your table. The product information does recommend a protective cover for winter. Choose a breathable cover, and clean and dry the table first.
