Kitchen Tiles - Top Materials

Ceramic, Porcelain, Quarry, Glass & Natural Stone

Kitchen tile is cooked under high temperatures and made from materials that come from the earth. These properties make them ideal for this area of the house as they conduct heat extremely well and won’t burn if you place pots on them. (Kitchen tiles are also water resistant.)

When selecting a tile, the function should determine the type of tile you choose. For example, for a kitchen countertop you will want a durable, flat tile that you can cut and roll on that won’t crack or chip. Whereas a kitchen backsplash tile can be more delicate (glass tiles), but it helps if they have a color or pattern to hide flecks of food and oil that may hit them.

There are five main types of kitchen tile you can choose to cover your walls and floors:

Ceramic:

These tiles are made from pressed clays with a matte finish of metallic oxides and ceramic stains. They are generally cost effective and very easy to work with.

Porcelain:

They are also made from clay but they’re fired at a higher temperature, which makes them stronger, their color also goes right through the tile instead of just covering the surface. Porcelain tiles are usually at the higher end of the market and more expensive than ceramic tiles.

Quarry:

Terra cotta tiles fall into this category; they retain the clay’s natural colors. Quarry tile also includes tiles that are made out of a clay mixture such as shale.

Glass:

These are very delicate so they’re not suitable for kitchen countertops but they do make ideal kitchen backsplashes.

Natural Stone:

Stones such as granite, marble, slate, travertine and limestone are cut into thin squares and used placed on walls and floors

There are very few downsides of kitchen tile and the major fault doesn’t actually involve the tile but what is used to hold them together. The grout in between the tiles can become stained if not cleaned regularly, so try to use an epoxy grout which is recommended to help resist stains.

 

Home | Legal | Contact Us | Advertise with Us | Site Map | Privacy ©Guide4Home

Interior Decorating

Kitchens

Fixtures and Fittings

Countertops Granite Kitchen Countertops Kitchen Curtains Kitchen Faucets Kitchen Lighting Kitchen Sinks Kitchen Taps Kitchen Tiles Kitchen Worktops

More Kitchen Pages

Kitchens Getting Started

Kitchen Furniture

Back to: Decorating Home Page See our Sister Sites for Guides on: Payment Protection Claims Mobile Phone Insurance Cover Breast Pumps