Tile, especially porcelain or ceramic tile, is an excellent choice for a kitchen floor because it's easy to maintain, durable, and given the variety of colors and sizes available for every budget, you're guaranteed to find kitchen tile perfect for your home. Here are a few tips to follow before hitting the tile showrooms to better prepare you to choose the right kitchen tile.
Types of Kitchen Tile Available
Kitchens typically see a lot of action, from high traffic to food splatter, to accidentally dropping a dish. This means that the tile floor you choose should be both durable and easy to clean. If, however, your kitchen is seldom used, and is mostly for show, you can be less discerning of what materials you need.
For instance, natural stone, such as slate, is beautiful and comes in a variety of shades and sizes, but will most likely chip if a heavy pot is dropped on it and could stain if not sealed properly. Natural stone also requires upkeep, such as sealing the tile once a year (sometimes more if your kitchen falls into the first category), so you might want to consider a natural stone for elsewhere in your house or perhaps as a backsplash.
The most durable and popular forms of tile are glazed kitchen ceramic tiles and porcelain tiles. These tiles don't need to be sealed, so there is virtually no upkeep other than routine cleaning. Also, you can choose porcelain or ceramic that was designed to simulate a natural stone product so you get the beauty of natural stone without the hassles of the real thing.
You can also purchase tile that mimics hardwood flooring, also without the upkeep of actual hardwood. Glass tile and mosaic tiles are best used as accents in areas that won't receive high traffic or best reserved for a backsplash, especially since these are more expensive and will get the most attention above your counters rather than under your feet.
Measure, Determine Budget and Gather Samples
Measure your kitchen (multiplying length by width) to get an approximate square footage-don't worry about being exact because you'll need to figure in about a 10 to 15 percent surplus for cuts and mistakes. Then, determine a budget and divide it by your kitchen measurement so you have an idea of the price per square foot you're willing to pay once you're in the store. Don't forget about paying for labor if hiring a contractor when determining your budget.
Also, gather color samples from your kitchen, such as a paint swatch, a cabinet door and even a countertop sample if possible. This way, once you're in the showroom, you'll be better equipped to choose possibilities that will work with your current color scheme. It's best not to buy impulsively, even if you fall in love with a particular tile. Take several samples home so that you can see tiles in your lighting, in your home, and make sure to put it against any flooring that might connect to the kitchen as well as pay attention to how it looks in both natural and artificial light. You'll be surprised what looks great in the showroom could look completely different in your home. It's best to take your time and get it right, because tile is not something easily replaced once installed.
How To Kitchen Tile
Kitchen tile back splashes are one of the typical features of all modern-day residences and live-in quarters. Actually, kitchens in most contemporary constructions occupy so central position that it becomes one of the most frequented areas of your home ? a fact that calls for the need to keep the kitchen clean, tidied and (if possible) beautified.
It is precisely for this reason that kitchen backsplash tiling becomes as essential as equipping the kitchen with useful countertops and cabinets! A tiled kitchen backsplash helps hide all the mess that go together with cooking activities. The right choice of kitchen tile back splash, in addition, enhances the aesthetic worth of your kitchen manifold times.
- Your Kitchen Tile Back splash Options -
Kitchen tile back splash essentially happens to be an eye-catching addition to your home d'cor and you will indeed be spoilt for choices with regard to materials, designs and color combinations.
As for materials, you may select among ceramic, glass, porcelain, stainless steel and stone tiles.
These days you get kitchen tiles in countless shapes; as regards colors, with different hues and shades available in back splash tiles; you will have enough choices to realize your dreams.
Use of designer or decorative tiles such as accents, ceramic murals and hand-painted tiles give a rather artistic look to your abode's culinary zone. You can also try innovating with colored glass and mirrors.
- Tips For Buying Kitchen Tile Back splash -
? Although you are offered with plethora of choices, you would do better if you stick to kiln baked, glazed tiles. You will hardly have any staining problems with them. The colors being permanently sealed in, they will not wash away and last you your lifetime.
? The best tiles for kitchen back splash are the square 4-by-4 or 6-by-6 inches tiles. You may also go for 3-by-6 inches subway tiles.
? Lighter shades will best illuminate your kitchen and make it look clean and well arranged. Dark colors are only suitable for large, open kitchens. Murals and decorative tiles used as backsplash tiles do liven up your kitchen, but then you need to arrange special accents/border tiles, etc. to highlight them.
- Installing Kitchen Tile Back splash -
Kitchen tile back splash accentuates the beauty of your kitchen hundred times. It is neither a time-consuming, nor a pricey affair. The tiling job in reality is so interesting that you might be tempted to set about it on your own.
Some simple supplies like tape measure, level, sand paper, tile-cutter, tile-saw, serrated trowel, mastic adhesive, grout and a little dedication are all that you will require to accomplish the tiling job.
Before you go ahead with it, turn off the power-supply to the area and remove electrical outlet covers. Roughen the wall/surface with the help of sand paper and dust/wash the area with warm water.
Once the groundwork is done, spread a thin layer of the mastic adhesive at the base-center of the backsplash and place the first tile. Check level for accuracy.
Thereafter place the spacers in the corners after checking and crosschecking with level and measuring tape for flawless tile-placement, even cutting tiles (marking them with tile-cutters and cutting them with tile-saw) to match the desired tile-level.
With the baseline ready, you will have your reference line ready. You will hardly experience any difficulty rounding off the tile-fixing job. Just go on spreading adhesive, cut the tile to required shape and size and fix it. Remove every trace of extra adhesive with a damp cloth.
The next step is all about applying grout between the tiles. You can apply grout with a rubber float, wiping away excess grout with a damp cloth and smoothen the grout joints with a round-stick.
This brings your kitchen back splash tiling program to an end. Pick up a dry, clean cloth and polish-off the tiled area to reveal the kitchen tile back splash in all its glamour.
Both Bob Fischer & Manolok are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Bob Fischer has sinced written about articles on various topics from Alarm System, CCTV Camera Security System and Kitchen Home Improvement. Bob Fischer covers unique applications of and offers insightful perspectives on the latest. Bob Fischer's top article generates over 9900 views. to your Favourites.
Manolok has sinced written about articles on various topics from Barcelona Holidays, Kitchen Home Improvement and Home Remodeling Ideas. Easy & Tricks, inmediately gaing the knowledge to make your home a better living space for YOUR Family & YOU. Loads of Home Improvement articl. Manolok's top article generates over 9900 views. to your Favourites.
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