Choosing the best floor tile and wall tile can be crucial for the success of your kitchen remodeling project. Tiles on walls will protect working areas, including backsplash and being hard, durable, and water-resistant, they are a natural choice for kitchen flooring. Besides, tile is beautiful and can give your kitchen a sleek, sophisticated look.
But with so many options available on the market, selecting the right type of tile can be tricky. It’s important to understand pros and cons of each type of tile to make an informed decision.
In this article, we discuss the most common types of tile to help you choose the best material for your tiling project.
Natural Stone Tile
Natural stone tiles are made from pieces of natural stone – marble, granite, travertine, slate, onyx, limestone, sandstone, to name a few. It’s one of the most expensive types of kitchen tiles but it has beauty and individuality, offering a rich, one-of-the-kind look.
Stone tile is the perfect material for walls, backsplashes, and floors but it has stricter care requirements than manmade tile. Stone is porous so you will need to seal stone tile regularly in order to keep it look lovely for many years.
You will also need to use special cleaning products designed for the natural stone. Stone tiles are available in different finishes – polished, honed, and age-looking tumbled. Polished stone tiles show the full beauty of the stone but their surfaces may be slippery when wet. Honed stone floor tiles ensure more traction but they have less vibrant look.
Marble tile
It is an ideal option for an elegant modern kitchen where a luxury style is as important as its overall functionality. Marble tiles typically come in white and grey tones but you can find dark and colored shades as well.
Granite tile
These tiles are considered a luxury flooring material. Granite tiles are nonporous just like those made of slate so they are one of the most popular type of tile used for flooring. Granite flooring will give your kitchen an upscale look, especially, if you add a matching granite countertop. Granite is one of the hardest stone materials and being stain-resistant, it’s a great choice for high-traffic kitchens.
Slate tile
Slate tiles offer gorgeous natural beauty and is considered a high-end luxury material. It’s the right choice for a contemporary kitchen which can remind you of the wonders of the natural world. The tile creates a textured surface that adds interest to kitchen if you install it on walls and boosts grip at the floor level. State tile is strong, durable, stain and water-resistant and stands well to scratches, cracks, and chips.
Travertine tile
It has a natural charm and most commonly comes in earth tones of tan, rust, and brown. This type of tile is a good choice for kitchens with a rustic look. Each tile has natural voids on the surface, filled in most finishes and features unique patterns. Travertine tiles are less expensive than marble or granite and if maintained properly, they will likely last for a lifetime.
Glass Tile
Glass tiles are available as individual pieces of glass in rectangular shapes and in mosaics on a mesh backing. Coming in a wide variety of colors and finishes, glass tile will add a dash of color and brightness to any kitchen. It’s best for walls and backsplashes. Glass backsplash tile can be installed in a wide range of designs and patterns and can make a stunning focal point. Some glass tiles can be used on floors. Glass tile is resistant to stains, mildew, and mold and is easy-to-clean. Being susceptible to scratches, glass tile is not recommended in high-traffic kitchens.
Ceramic and Porcelain Tile
Ceramic and porcelain tiles look similar because both types are made from clay mixtures which are fired at high temperatures. Ceramic tile is an immensely affordable option for the kitchen. It is stylish in appearance and comes in an endless array of colors and designs. It is also durable and easy-to-install. Unglazed ceramic tiles are often called “quarry” tiles. Glazed ceramic tile is hard and has a scratch- and stain-resistant surface. Ceramic tiles are perfect for walls and some of them can be used on floors.
Porcelain tile is denser and less porous than ceramic because it is fired at higher temperatures. Unglazed porcelain tile is thicker, denser, and more scratch-resistant than glazed porcelain. Being very hard-wearing and stain-resistant, porcelain tiles are often chosen for floors but they can be installed on walls as well. Porcelain tiles are one of the most durable kitchen floor materials and can be installed even in commercial kitchens. They are a good choice for backsplashes because they are easy-to-clean and water-resistant. However, porcelain tile is more expensive than ceramic and is not a good choice for DIY project because it requires special tools for installation.
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