Different Types of Tiles Used in Kitchen

The five basic materials for tiles in the kitchen are metal, glass, ceramic, porcelain, and stone. Here we will give you a synopsis of these materials and a rounded view of the tile world vis a vis your kitchen.

Tiles are tough, durable, and easy to clean. Be it the floor, the backsplash or the sidewalls, tiles give your kitchen a chic, pleasant and clean look and come in various colors, textures, and shapes and will aggrandize you the way you want it.
We give you a decided run-through on each type and its pros and cons. The first ones we are discussing are the ceramic tiles.

Ceramic Tiles: They are most common in the kitchen. They are made up of a mix of water, clay, and minerals which are fired at very high temperatures. These can be glazed or unglazed. Glazed ceramic tiles are treated with a liquid glass coating which makes them resistant to scratches, stains and suitable in withstanding various temperatures.

These tiles are very durable and not very expensive and come in many colors, patterns, and designs. They are easy to fix and as these tiles come in many colors and patterns they can be creatively put together. They have a multi-dimensional quality about them and can create intricate tile designs.

Ceramic tile flooring can be black and white or grape and vine combinations with deep purple and cream or light brown. These are just some examples.

These tiles can work in any type of kitchen and are child-friendly and pet-friendly. They are good for a low-budget model. If you are a DIY person these are simple and easy to install.

Maintaining these tiles is easy. Proper cleaners might be needed. Soapy hot water is pretty good. The wrong cleaners can make the tiles slippery. Sweeping or vacuuming tiles is good. You can also use a tile and grout cleaner with water. Let it stay for a while, and then mop it up. Rinse with clear water, dry mop then let it dry.

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Porcelain Tile: This is a type of ceramic tile that is less porous than a ceramic tile as it’s fired at a higher temperature. It is made with different kinds of sands and other materials harder than what ceramic tiles are made of. They are water-resistant but hard to install. They come in a variety of colors and sizes. They are easy to clean and maintain. They are stain-resistant. You could sweep or vacuum the tiles, say on the floor. Don’t use harsh or abrasive cleaners or hard bristles. Mop with tile or grout cleaners as in ceramic tiles.

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Glass Kitchen Tiles: These are made of pieces of glass. Individual pieces for a mosaic pattern. Mainly used as a backsplash. It can be integrated with ceramic or porcelain or other tiles. They are not easy to install on your own. They add finesse to your kitchen. They make good backsplashes and they are transparent in colors, and give a lovely sheen and glow to the kitchen.

To clean, wipe the glass surface with a glass cleaner like colin, or a damp cloth or sponge with water or a solution in vinegar. Basically use a non-abrasive material for cleaning.

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Stone Tiles: These are made from natural stones. The most popular are slate, granite, marble, onyx, travertine and sandstone. These can be used on floors, walls, or as a backsplash. These require high maintenance, more expensive than ceramic or porcelain. These stylize your kitchen. These are best for kitchen floors as they are non-porous. These tiles are hard and cool and are suitable for hot places but these are not good if your kitchen is wet most of the time as water can damage them.
Stone kitchen tiles must be sealed at installation time and must be re-sealed every ten years or so. Sweep them or vacuum or dust them daily. Twice a week wipe the floor down with a damp mop. Use a stone floor cleaner for cleaning. Do snot use cleaners with acid or vinegar or chlorine.

Vinyl Kitchen Tiles: Give your little kitchen a sophisticated look and more endurability at an affordable price. Vinyl has the flexibility to behave like wooden, natural stone or ceramic floor. Plank vinyl floors can look like hardwood, believe it or not without the plus cost of maintenance.

Vinyl would be a good choice if you cannot afford wood or stone but don’t wish to spend a lot then opt-out of it.
Cleaning can be done over a week. Sweep and mop without using soaps and detergents.
Travertine is another great material. It’s a type of limestone which gives it a subdued, rustic look available in brown rust, and tan. It can last a lifetime, it is eco-friendly, recyclable and the pricing is between porcelain and ceramic.

Quarry: Quarry tiles are made of clay.

There are also cement tiles, pebble tiles, floating wood tiles, and cork floor tiles to choose from.
So, we hope that this will help you decide on the best tiles for your kitchen-money and time and design, and flavor all playing their parts in your choice.

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