Kitchen Tile

Choosing kitchen tile can be a rather daunting prospect. There are so many choices these days, with many different materials in a range of colors, that it is easy to get overwhelmed. This quick guide to kitchen tile should help you weigh your options and find a look you love.

Ceramic tile is a popular choice for kitchen tile.

Kitchen Tile Materials

If you thought kitchen tiles were just those plain old ceramic tiles that everyone's been using for decades, think again. These days, there are many different choices when it comes to kitchen tile materials.

Ceramic Tile

Ceramic tile and porcelain tile are excellent choice for kitchen flooring. They tend to be relatively inexpensive compared to some of the other choices out there, and are incredibly durable.

Ceramic tile is easy to clean and is non-porous, so it doesn't absorb water or other things spilled on the floor. It doesn't pick up smells and is easy to keep from staining.

Ceramic tiles come in a wide range of colors and designs, so going with the classic doesn't have to mean basic. Choose a color to match the kitchen walls, or select a ceramic tile that looks like brick or stone for a beautiful look on a budget.

Vinyl Tile

Vinyl tile is a budget choice for your kitchen tile, but that doesn't mean it has to look cheap. In fact, there are high-end vinyl tile styles available now that mimic the look of wood, marble and stone.

Vinyl tile is available in a dizzying array of styles. Your kitchen does not have to look like a supermarket! What's more, installing vinyl tile is relatively easy and a good do-it-yourself project.

Vinyl is resistant to water but it is prone to scratching if crumbs are allowed to collect on the floor. Regular sweeping and wet mopping can keep your floor looking great for years to come.

Stone Tile

One of the most popular new looks for the kitchen is stone tile. Many different kinds of natural stone are available for flooring, including granite, limestone, slate, marble and travertine. Slate and travertine tend to be the less expensive options, while granite and marble are the most expensive, costing as much as $8 a square foot.

Stone kitchen tiles add warmth and beauty to your kitchen, especially if you have a matching kitchen counter. The tiles aren't pleasant to walk on in bare feet (because they get cold) and if you drop something, it's a sure bet that it will break.

Stone tile should be sealed, and regular maintenance to remove stains will keep your floor looking nice. Check the manufacturer's instructions for information on how to remove stains and clean your tile.

Cork Tile

A final type of kitchen tile that is gaining in popularity is cork tile. Cork is a renewable resource and makes a soft, cushiony flooring material because of the natural air pockets in the cork. It is available in parquet tiles that are simply glued down in planks with tongue and groove joints.

Cork tile is incredibly durable and won't be harmed by furniture or high heels. It is resistant to chemicals and abrasion and is relatively easy to maintain. It doesn't come cheap, but the price is comparable to that of slate.

Kitchen Tile Design

Once you've picked the material you want for your kitchen tiles, you'll need to think about any design elements you want to include in your flooring scheme. It's fine to have tile that matches all the way across a room, but if you want to jazz up the look of your floor a bit, you can add a mosaic or another design to the tiles.

Look at home design magazines and home improvement catalogs for inspiration and design ideas. If you're planning to have a contractor install your tile for you, ask him or her for ideas from past projects.

Even just adding a border of a different color or an accent in the middle of the room can really make your kitchen tile pop. Sure, it will add to your costs, but it will also add greatly to the beauty of the most used room in the house.

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