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Ceramic tiles are the most commonly found tiles in
the kitchen. Check out the kitchen ceramic tile design.
Ceramic Kitchen Tiles
Ceramic tiles are thin slabs of clay, in the form of
shale, gypsum or sand, converted into a material known as bisque. This
bisque is given the shape of tiles and hardened, through the process of
firing, in kiln with temperature up to 2500 deg F. Best known for their
durability; these tiles are also very cost effective and add to the
beauty of a place. Since ceramic tile are porous in nature, they are
often coated with glaze. The coating is followed by firing in the kiln,
to make the glaze hard and sturdy. The main value of ceramic tiles lies
in the fact that they can be made in an infinite variety of colors and
shapes. In kitchen, they can be used for flooring, walls, countertops as
well as backsplashes.
Why Ceramic Tile for Kitchen?
Ceramic is the most preferred choice as far as kitchen tiles are
concerned. The reasons for the same have been listed below.
- Ceramic tiles are extremely durable and can be cleaned by
investing minimal time and effort.
- There is wide variety, in terms of sizes, shapes, textures and
colors, as far as ceramic tiles are concerned.
- Ceramic tiles can match almost any and every decorating style.
- With the right instructions and a bit of patience, ceramic tiles
can be laid by homeowners themselves.
- Ceramic tiles are quite inexpensive, when compared to other types
of tiles.
The Disadvantages
Along with presenting a number of advantages, ceramic tiles suffer from
numerous cons as well. The main ones have been listed below.
- When compared to paint and wallpaper, ceramic tiles come across
as expensive.
- Ceramic tiles are more difficult to maintain than vinyl, paint,
wallpaper and fiberglass.
- Being hard in nature, ceramic tiles are susceptible to chipping
or cracking on forceful impact.
- Ceramic tiles feel colder to touch as compared to the other type
of flooring, thus being at a disadvantage in low-weather conditions.
Choosing the Right Ceramic Kitchen Tile
Before installing ceramic tiles in your kitchen, you need to decide on
their particular size, hardness, etc. These tiles come in a wide variety
of sizes, ranging from squares of 1 inch to 24 inches, though the 12
inch and 18 inch sizes are the most common. If your kitchen is not too
big, it is better to go for tiles in the form of 12-inch squares or
smaller. Since larger tiles overshadow the décor of a room, using
them is advisable only if your kitchen is big enough. In terms of
hardness, ceramic tiles are rated from zero to five. For kitchen, those
with two or three rating will be the best.
Some Tips
- When buying tiles, always purchase a few more than you will need.
This is because there is a strong possibility of some tiles breaking
down during installation.
- Instead of placing the tiles in the form of a grid, try going for
a diagonal pattern. It would add visual appeal to your kitchen.
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