What Kitchen Tile To Choose: The Floors
Kitchen floor tiles come in multiple different materials, styles, and colors. Each type of tile has its advantages. Here are the most common types of tiles people will choose for their kitchen flooring.
Ceramic
Ceramic is very similar to porcelain. Both are made from clay mixtures fired at high temperatures to produce rugged and durable tile. Ceramic floor tile is sometimes called “non-porcelain”. It is made from clay, but it is softer than porcelain. Because it is more delicate, it is superb to deal with. Ceramic floor tile can be easily cut and installed. It is more porous than porcelain, though glazing makes it water-resistant. Glazed ceramic is also excellent at avoiding stains from those pesky kitchen spills.
Porcelain
Porcelain differs from ceramic kitchen tile as sand is added to its mixture when manufactured. This produces a kitchen tile that is harder and stands up to heat and pressure. It is a good choice for high-traffic areas in your kitchen. Porcelain can also be applied outdoors. Unglazed porcelain has color in its mixture, making it available in a wide array of patterns and schemes. Porcelain is more challenging to install than ceramic, so we recommend reaching out to a contractor for a safer installation.
Stone
Stone floor tiles are dynamic and come in a multitude of material options. Slate, granite, limestone, travertine, and marble stone floors are all options if needed. Stone can be polished, so there is no worry about wear and tear. A good floor polish will restore stone flooring to its original luster. In addition to being easy to shine and restore, stone is naturally beautiful and elegant.
When it comes to installation, it is important to note that stone flooring requires sealing and is the most expensive flooring material. The most popular stone tiles are usually large formats or slabs that minimize grout lines.
What Kitchen Tile To Choose: The Backsplashes
The kitchen backsplash is an extension of the kitchen countertop. A good backsplash will prevent grease splatters or other spills from damaging and staining your walls. Choosing a suitable tile for your backsplashes, especially the ones behind the stove and the sink, is extremely important. They are essential not just for looks, but also for the resell value of your home. Choosing the right tile will make your kitchen brighter, safer, and more aesthetically appealing. Here are the most common types of tiles people choose for their backsplashes.
Ceramic
As in the case of flooring, the reason ceramic is an excellent choice for backsplashes, is that it is easy to clean. The days of applying degreasers to your walls are over if you choose ceramic for your home kitchen. Ceramic is prone to some cracks and dings, so just as in the case of flooring, be careful when installing. If chosen for the backsplash behind the stove, the wear and tear brought on by cooking (dings and scratches from pots and pans) will likely introduce cracks and chipping. However, ceramic is the most aesthetically pleasing option for backsplashes. It comes in such a wide array of designs and colors that customization is easy.
Glass
Glass tiles are stunning. It comes in many variations, including the luxurious glass mosaic variant. Like ceramic tile, it is easy to clean. In addition to its ease of cleaning, it is a good option for backsplashes because it is DIY friendly. However, glass tiles suffer from one major pitfall: it is tough to replace when broken.
Porcelain
It has already been said that porcelain tile is a stronger version of ceramic. Besides durability, porcelain offers one significant advantage against all other tiles. Porcelain can, in some cases, hide those pesky grease stains. As a stove backsplash tile, it is perfect for taking dings and scratches from pots and pans. The only major problem with porcelain is that it requires specialized tools. A contractor best handles it.
Stone Tile
Stone tile for kitchen backsplashes is excellent at increasing resell value. When choosing stone setups for kitchens, homeowners are not only going for aesthetics but an increase in home value. Stone tile like granite and marble is highly durable and perfect for installation behind the sink and stove. Unfortunately, it has only one pitfall; it is prone to staining. This makes it a costly option as tons of maintenance fees go into stone tile projects.
Also Read: Top Tile Trends for Kitchen and Bathroom Remodels