Selecting the Right Kitchen Tile
Tile, especially porcelain or ceramic tile, is an excellent choice for a kitchen floor because it’s easy to maintain, durable, and given the variety of colors and sizes available for every budget, you’re guaranteed to find kitchen tile perfect for your home. Here are a few tips to follow before hitting the tile showrooms to better prepare you to choose the right kitchen tile.
Types of Kitchen Tile Available
Kitchens typically see a lot of action, from high traffic to food splatter, to accidentally dropping a dish. This means that the tile floor you choose should be both durable and easy to clean. If, however, your kitchen is seldom used, and is mostly for show, you can be less discerning of what materials you need.
For instance, natural stone, such as slate, is beautiful and comes in a variety of shades and sizes, but will most likely chip if a heavy pot is dropped on it and could stain if not sealed properly. Natural stone also requires upkeep, such as sealing the tile once a year (sometimes more if your kitchen falls into the first category), so you might want to consider a natural stone for elsewhere in your house or perhaps as a backsplash.
The most durable and popular forms of tile are glazed kitchen ceramic tiles and porcelain tiles. These tiles don’t need to be sealed, so there is virtually no upkeep other than routine cleaning. Also, you can choose porcelain or ceramic that was designed to simulate a natural stone product so you get the beauty of natural stone without the hassles of the real thing.
You can also purchase tile that mimics hardwood flooring, also without the upkeep of actual hardwood. Glass tile and mosaic tiles are best used as accents in areas that won’t receive high traffic or best reserved for a backsplash, especially since these are more expensive and will get the most attention above your counters rather than under your feet.
Measure, Determine Budget and Gather Samples
Measure your kitchen (multiplying length by width) to get an approximate square footage-don’t worry about being exact because you’ll need to figure in about a 10 to 15 percent surplus for cuts and mistakes. Then, determine a budget and divide it by your kitchen measurement so you have an idea of the price per square foot you’re willing to pay once you’re in the store. Don’t forget about paying for labor if hiring a contractor when determining your budget.
Also, gather color samples from your kitchen, such as a paint swatch, a cabinet door and even a countertop sample if possible. This way, once you’re in the showroom, you’ll be better equipped to choose possibilities that will work with your current color scheme. It’s best not to buy impulsively, even if you fall in love with a particular tile. Take several samples home so that you can see tiles in your lighting, in your home, and make sure to put it against any flooring that might connect to the kitchen as well as pay attention to how it looks in both natural and artificial light. You’ll be surprised what looks great in the showroom could look completely different in your home. It’s best to take your time and get it right, because tile is not something easily replaced once installed.
About the Author
Bob Fischer is a writer who focuses on kitchen design ideas and resplendent kitchen ceramic tiles.
what paint for ceramic kitchen tiles?
i would like to paint over the glazed ceramic tiles in my kitchen. i bought a tin of international tile paint only for it to say on the back that you can’t use it near cookers! does anyone know of a brand and where to buy it in a red colour within the UK? no joy on google!
Any ceramic tile can be painted no matter if it is old or new. The most important thing is to make sure the tile is perfectly clean. Many people ignore the instructions on paint cans. If you take a few moments to read these instructions, you will discover that they tell you to apply the paint to clean, dry surfaces that are free of grease, wax, dirt and dust.
I have had great success with oil-based paint.
Water-based paints that contain a urethane resin are good paints to use as well. Urethane is a very sticky glue, and after all, that is what paint really is – a liquid glue that contains color. You really need a sticky paint to adhere to the glossy surface of most ceramic tile
Do not apply it to ceramic tile that gets wet on a regular basis. Examples of this are tile surfaces inside a tub or shower area
Kyocera Advanced Ceramics Cutlery & kitchen tools
