I’m thinking of replacing the kitchen tiles. What kind of tiles should I replace them with?
2 Likes
Kitchen tile should match well with the cabinets, countertops and the overall aesthetic look of the kitchen. There is a wide array of beautiful and inexpensive tile available. If you are referring to floor tile, I recommend using a larger tile, at least 6" x 6" and depending on the size of the kitchen, up to 18" x 18" in size. Typically, 12" x 12" tile is a very popular choice.
Slate and marble are also good options, but can be more expensive.
Good luck!
The answer can depend on how you use your kitchen. Do you have small children (or do you expect to at some point), pets or large/frequent gatherings? Do you spend a lot of time in your kitchen? Do you notice things being dropped and spilled frequently? If any of these are answered with “yes”, I’d avoid natural stone. Stone is much let inert than most people realize. It can be worn down, scratched, broken, stained, etc. quite easily. For high traffic, heavy use areas I prefer a porcelain tile. It’s very strong and there are many designs that can be highly complimentary to any room.
If you’re looking for something beautiful and your kitchen is lightly-used, natural stone is a great choice. Brick pavers in mortar is extremely durable and gorgeous as well.
Porcelain tile is very durable and available in lots of patterns and colors. It’s a bit more expensive than ceramic but worth the upgrade. Porcelain is very easy to clean and maintain.
I always suggest to customers to go with ceramic or porecelain as a first choice.Unless they have specific designs, or focused on particular upgrades. Both ceramic and porcelain are economical, offering wide ranges of options,varieties,styles, and patterns to stay current with trends. For instance, subway tile has been a staple ceramic trend for a few years now in both commercial and residential kitchens and bathrooms.You can achieve a great look and not go overboard with budget.
I also try to veer away from porous stone and marbles,due to staining,overall maintenance,and the fact that food bacteria can penetrate it without proper sealing.
First check your kitchen floor to see what types of tile can be installed. Natural stone tiles and large tiles all require a very sound, inflexible floor. You can find various calculators on-line to measure or predict floor deflection, but as a rule of thumb, if your floor bounces at all when you jump up and down on it, it is not suitable for stone or very large tiles, unless you do structural work to stiffen the floor. And no, an additional layer of plywood underlayment will not solve the problem.
Now, consider your lifestyle. Kitchen floors can take a terrible beating. Dirty shoes, dropped pans, and spilled wine all can damage a marble or other natural stone floor. That may be OK if you’re willing to see your floor age and weather, or if your kitchen gets light use and you’re more interested in design than functionality. Marble and other natural stones are very popular in homes with meticulously clean owners with a very high sense of design.
Glazed porcelain is the go-to choice for heavy-duty kitchen floors. It is durable, it cleans easily, and it is available in many styles and sizes. Glazed ceramic tiles, while less durable, will do well in most kitchens.
Finally, don’t skimp on the installation, including the grout. Use an epoxy or urethane grout. They will clean as easily as the tile, and they require no sealing.
I prefer tile that will clean itself, will not chip, crack or stain, does not require maintenance, will not shatter dropped dishes and is cool in the summer and warm in the winter…
Let me know if you find one!