Is it about time your kitchen got a facelift? According to statistics, the average person spends just under an hour in the kitchen a day and around 400 hours in a year. So, it’s safe to say that we spend a decent amount of time in the kitchen! So why not make it a space you can enjoy being in?
There’s so much you can do to transform your kitchen, from its layout to its style. One significant way of enhancing your kitchen’s appeal is by retiling the surfaces. Choosing tiles, on the other hand, can be a headache all on its own. We’re here to help! Here’s how to choose tiles for your kitchen.
Factors to Consider when Choosing Tiles for Your Kitchen
Before we start looking at choosing tiles, there are a few key factors that you need to consider first:
Safety
Safety should be a top priority when it comes to retiling your kitchen. Now, we know it’s nice to have smooth, shiny tiles, but they get wet. Wet tiles can be slippery and difficult to walk on until they dry. However, you have to clean your tile, don’t you? Generally, the you use in a bathroom are slightly textured to give you traction when the floor is wet. Kitchen floors don’t get nearly as wet as bathroom floors, but the same principle applies. You want to get tiles that’ll be safe for you and your family.
Water Resistance
Accidents happen in the kitchen, and from time to time, they may involve dropping a glass of wine or water on the floor. In case of this, you don’t want your tiles to be super porous, but rather, you want them to be water-resistant to increase their durability and longevity.
Your budget
Whenever you do a home makeover, the first thing you need to look at is what you can afford. Once you’ve set a budget, stick to it! You can find the most gorgeous tiling options at stores like Cheap Tiles Online to suit any budget.
The size of your kitchen
The area you want to cover will also have an impact on your budget. For instance, if you have a larger kitchen and want to cover most of the area, then your budget is going to climb. Likewise, if you have a smaller kitchen, you can choose tiles that’ll help it appear more spacious too.
Match Your Wall Tiles
Lastly, consider the order in which you choose your tiles. This might depend on the contractor or the duration of the project, but you can choose whether you want to tile your walls or floors first. Tiling the floors will be more disruptive than the walls.
In addition to that, consider the colour of your kitchen. Look at the cupboards, the walls, and its light source and then choose tiles that’ll amplify these aspects.
Popular Types of Tiles to Choose From
When it comes to tiles, there are two main materials that people can choose from: ceramic and porcelain. That said, there are some other tile types to choose from, like natural tiles. Here’s an overview of each of them:
Ceramic Tiles
Ceramic tiles tend to be among the most popular because they’re more readily available and easier to make. They are also more porous than porcelain tiles, and they’re softer, meaning that they’re more likely to break when extreme pressure is applied. For that reason, these tiles are commonly used on the walls and on floors with light foot traffic.
There are ways in which you can make ceramic tiles more durable, though. For instance, you could coat them with a sealant that would seal them from allowing water and moisture to get into them.
Natural Tiles
When we refer to natural tiles, we are talking about tiles made or cut from stone or other harder materials. Often, these tiles will vary in density depending on their type, but they can add a beautiful aesthetic to your kitchen, giving it a natural look. Because of the labour that goes into cutting natural tiles, you might find that some are a lot more expensive.
Porcelain Tiles
Lastly, porcelain tiles. Porcelain tiles are considered to be the premium option. They’re more dense and durable, so they’re often the go-to choice for areas with higher foot traffic. Porcelain is a kind of ceramic that hardens under extreme heat. As a result, it become far more durable than ceramic tiles, and they’re less porous.
With Porcelain tiles, you’re paying for convenience. They’re stainless, don’t absorb water so you don’t need to seal them, and they’re super easy to clean. All you need to do is give them a good wipe with some tile cleaner and a mop, and you’re all sorted.
You can purchase porcelain tiles in many different shapes and sizes. They also come in a large range of styles, so you can pair them well with your vision. However, the downside of porcelain tiles is that they’re often quite expensive, making them an impractical decision for homeowners. But if you want quality, there’s nothing better.
Final Thoughts
Choosing tiles doesn’t need to be a complicated scenario. All you need to do is choose your style, factor it into a budget, and start shopping. It could be a simple click away and the perfect tiles for your kitchen can be delivered. Happy tiling!
