Is it time for a kitchen makeover?
When preparing for a remodel, one of the most important decisions you need to make is to decide what kind of kitchen tile you will be using.
Here are a few of the most crucial things to remember when choosing the right kitchen tile for your remodel.
Determine Your Budget
Before you choose kitchen tile materials you should know what your budget will be. There are many materials available and the price of kitchen tiling can vary quite a bit.
Whether you’re working with a limited budget or the sky’s the limit, the perfect option for you is out there.
Materials such as vinyl and linoleum can be on the cheaper side, but custom designed ceramic tiles and natural stone tiles can be much more expensive.
Decide on Tile Location and Design Goals
You may have different needs depending on the location of the kitchen you are adding tiles. Make a list of locations and think about how you would like each of them to look.
Are you looking for kitchen tiles for the floor, counter tops, or walls? Or do you need a backsplash?
Decide whether you want tiles that blend in seamlessly with your current design scheme or if you would rather create a look that stands out.
Finally, you should also consider longevity. While it’s fine to follow current trends in kitchen design, you may want to pick a classic look if you want a kitchen that will look good for the long haul.
Choose Your Kitchen Tile Materials
Most tiles will be either porcelain, ceramic, or natural stone.
Some primary materials and styles include cork, vinyl, linoleum, bamboo, glass, limestone, and marble. Each material has their benefits, so perform some research to decide what is right for you and your kitchen.
Porcelain tiles have pros and cons. Porcelain tiles are usually more durable than ceramic tiles and are more resistant to wear and tear.
Non-porcelain tiles are known as “ceramic” and in comparison, are often better for residential uses.
Ceramic tiles use a rating system, PEI, and classes range from 1-5. PEI Class 1 marks tiles that are better for walls and other areas while PEI Class 5 tiles are the most adequate for heavy foot traffic.
Natural stone materials will generally require more cleaning and maintenance than ceramic and porcelain.
Consider Your Habits and Lifestyle
It’s important to consider how you and your family will be using your kitchen.
Do you have pets in your home? Are you worried about spills? How many kids do you have?
If you plan on having heavy foot traffic make sure to purchase floor tiles that will be able to take a beating.
If you’re tiling your floor, make sure to use tiles that are specifically meant for floor use. A slightly textured, raised tile that is meant for floors will be better for preventing slips and falls.
When choosing tiles for counter tops, a ceramic tile is a good durable choice that can withstand the heat from hot pots and pans.
Final Thoughts
If you’ve been preparing for a remodel you’ve probably discovered that there are a lot of options to choose from for kitchen tiling.
But don’t worry. Just take your time and choose carefully. If you do, you may just end up with the perfect home kitchen.
Looking for inspiration for your remodeling project? Click here to schedule a time to come visit our San Diego showroom.
