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Best tile for the kitchen


How to Make the Right Choice – Rubi Blog USA

Thanks to HGTV and motivated millennials, the home improvement industry is booming. In fact, it’s estimated that Americans spent more than $380 billion last year on home improvements. Of all the home improvement projects, bathroom and kitchen floor renovations led the way.

For many people, the kitchen is an integral part of their home. Not only is it the place where families cook and spend time together, but it’s also the heart of the home. That’s why we’ve created this guide to go over everything you need to know about choosing the best tile for your kitchen floor.

What You Need to Know About Kitchen Renovations


79% of home improvement projects involve the kitchen. We already went over the reasons why, but there are a few more things to keep in mind.


The first is that kitchen renovations are not cheap. On average they cost around $22,700, but, you have to look at the workmanship and materials that go into it. Most people want granite quartz, or Carrera marble for their countertops. Then there are the cabinets, which have to withstand regular use from your family members. They also have to hold the weight of plates, glasses, and everything else you store in them.


Then, there’s the flooring. The kitchen floor is a high-traffic area so you want heavy-duty material that can handle it.
In the early 20th century, linoleum was all the rage in kitchen flooring. People still use it today but to a lesser degree.
That’s because technology has evolved. Logistics make imported materials easier to get a hold of, which leads to what seems like thousands of flooring choices. But don’t worry! We’re going to help you navigate through your options, so you can pick the best tile for your kitchen.

Picking the Best Tile for Your Kitchen Floor

Here are some things to consider before we get into all your options.

Durability


As we mentioned, your kitchen is a high-traffic area, so you need durable flooring. This means that you should avoid choosing cheap stick-on tile to save money. It’s popular, but it don’t last long. The corners will come up, they tear, and the adhesive may give out. You’ll know a tile’s durability by its PEI rating. This is a system that tells you, in essence, where the best place to install a certain tile is.

Not all manufacturers list the PEI rating for their tiles. But most will at least give you a recommendation for the location where you should install it.

Size

Tiles come in a variety of sizes. You may love the look of a 24″ tile but if you have a smaller kitchen, using it may not fit well or look well-proportioned. The smaller, decorative tile may accent your countertops and complement your aesthetic, but may not give you the durability you need. They also may not be cost-effective.


It’s very common for people to use 12″ tiles for a kitchen floor. Some even prefer 18″. In all cases, you have to make sure you have exact measurements. Measuring incorrectly and not ordering enough tile are two of the biggest mistakes in DIY flooring projects. You can avoid a lot of headaches by hiring a flooring contractor, but if you’re going 100% DIY, be sure to measure the area more than once. Additionally, make sure you buy enough tile for the project. Flooring stores and even big-box retailers do sell out of products. This means, just because there were dozens of cases available on Friday doesn’t mean they’ll be there Monday.

Color


When it comes to color, you have a lot of options. This comes down to what you like and what will match the rest of your kitchen. But take into consideration that while darker colors may “hide” more, they can make your kitchen appear smaller. Lighter hues will brighten your space and make it bigger, but won’t hide much.

Texture


Texture and safety go hand in hand. Textured and matte tiles are less slippery than glass or smooth tiles.
Your kitchen floor will get wet at times, and even slippery from spills. Keep this in mind when buying tiles.

Installation


If you’re a first-timer, prepping and installing tiles is a challenge, but it’s not impossible. Just make sure you follow the manufacturer’s suggestions. You also need to use the right tile saw. Many equipment places rent them out but keep in mind, you can buy a wet table saw for less than you think.

Don’t forget your installation job needs more than just tiles and a saw. You also need tile spacers, a level, a trowel, and a grout float. Make sure you read our top tips for using tile spacers effectively before you start your tiling job.

Maintenance

No one wants to spend their weekends on their hands and knees cleaning tiles. But, proper maintenance ensures that you’ll getting the longest life possible out of your flooring. Let’s look at how to maintain different types of tiles.

Wood


Hardwood flooring is as popular as ever. If you live in an older home, you probably have it throughout your house, including in the kitchen. But, natural hardwood is high-maintenance. You need to re-seal it every so often and it can get scratched. Laminate is more durable, but may not match your existing hardwood flooring. Wood look tile is a popular alternative that’s made of porcelain but with a finish that resembles wood. These are tricky to install, so be sure to read up on all the unique challenges you’ll face.

Porcelain Tiles


Porcelain and ceramic tiles are often confused. They look alike and share the same colors and sizes. But, believe it or not, there are differences between them. Porcelain has added sand to its clay mixture. It’s made with heat and pressure so the result is a harder, denser material. It’s also less porous. Because of their durability, porcelain tiles are also installed outside in patios, porches or verandas. They withstand any climate, so they’re pretty versatile. The coloring is added to the clay, creating a richer color that won’t fade as easily as other types.


Glazed porcelain is different. During the firing process, the material gets glazed to give it a glass-like effect. The color is added during the glazing process, so it may appear uneven. It also scratches easier than non-glazed nd is more slippery than non-porous porcelain.


Installing porcelain tile requires special tools and patience. If you’re going it alone, make sure you follow the manufacturer’s recommendations to a tee. RUBI’s DS-250 and DS-250-N Laser & Level tile saw works for both ceramic and porcelain, but its ability to cut the latter is where it shines brightest. The TP-T tile cutter is ideal for porcelain.

Ceramic Tiles


Ceramic tiles are softer and more porous than porcelain. This material also goes through a glazing process to create a harder surface. These tiles are available in any color you can think of and in many different textures. While they are softer, the glazing gives them a surface that is very easy to clean. They’re low maintenance and durable, which is why they’re a favorite among kitchen remodelers.


Installing ceramic tiles is easier than working with porcelain, though installing any tile is difficult if you’ve never done it before. And even if you have, one misstep can throw off the whole project. Taking your time during the prep work will make the job smoother. Also, be sure to check out our step-by-step guide for installing ceramic tiles.


RUBI was founded in 1951 to solve problems in cement cutting, and today, RUBI is still the leader in ceramic tile cutting. We want to lend our expertise to your projects, so take a look at some of our tools like the ND-180 tile saw, which offers the perfect solution for cutting tile on the go or several locations. There’s also the DU-200-Lite tile saw, which you can use for renovations and light work. Additionally, the TZ tile cutters have incredible power and the TX-N tile cutters offer unparalleled precision.

Stone Floor Tiles


Natural stone tiles are exactly what they sound like. They’re made from stone, not clay or sand. The most popular stone tiles are:

Because these are natural substances, you’ll need to re-seal them every two to three years. There are also two types of stone tiles: polished and honed. Polished stone, like marble, is slippery. Sometimes it doesn’t even have to be wet to cause someone to slip or fall! But, polished stone is gorgeous and the natural beauty of the material can shine through.

In general, honed stone has a rougher texture. It also has a duller color. But, you can find travertine in many textures and finishes.


Stone tile generally comes in larger sizes and is more expensive than porcelain or ceramic tile. It also requires different saws and cutters than ceramic and porcelain. When it comes to saws, the RUBI DX-350-N Laser & Level or the DT-180 Evolution wet tile saw should be among your top choices.

Let’s Build Together


Tiling or re-tiling your kitchen is the quickest way to give it a facelift. But, you have to make sure you’re choosing the best tile for your kitchen floor. Decorative tile or glass-like textures can look beautiful, but they are slippery and may not hold up as well as you need them to. Stone tiles are rugged and durable but they are also high-maintenance. Ceramic and porcelain are classic choices but wood like tiles are becoming more popular.


If you’re still unsure of what kind of material you should choose for your kitchen floor, check out our tile blog. After you decide on your tile, there’s only one choice for your tile tools: RUBI.


Visit our page to see everything we have to offer so you can carry out your project with confidence. Don’t forget, your tile cutter won’t run as efficiently as it should without a good blade. Check out our diamond blades for precision cuts.

Best Tiles for a Kitchen Floor That Are Durable and Stylish

Best Tiles for a Kitchen Floor That Are Durable and Stylish
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Photo: Catherine Delahaye/DigitalVision/Getty Images

Find the recipe to discover the best tile for your kitchen floor

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The kitchen is the heart of your home where you’re probably spending a great deal of time. Before you shop for tiles for your kitchen floor you should take a few moments to consider your lifestyle, the vibe of your kitchen, how much time you want to spend maintaining the tile floor, and your budget. Ask yourself the following questions:

The Best Tile to Use in a Kitchen

Thinking about your lifestyle when looking for the best tile for your kitchen is a smart way to navigate the process. Once you have those questions answered, the following materials are the best for kitchen flooring.

Ceramic

Ceramic is a popular tile that is a good fit for many kitchen floors. It’s easy to maintain and comes in a wide variety of styles and colors. Ceramic tiles are excellent conductors and can heat up and cool down making for a comfortable and durable all-season floor. Glazed ceramic tiles are a smart choice for kitchen tiles as they provide added protection in the kitchen.

Key benefits of using ceramic tile:

Drawbacks of using ceramic tile:

Porcelain

Porcelain tiles are similar to ceramic tiles in that they come in a wide variety of colors and styles, are excellent conductors, easy to maintain, and can heat up and cool down making for a comfortable and durable all-season floor. The thick tiles are fired longer than ceramic tiles and can also mimic natural stones, hardwood planks, wood, or brick. You will need to hire a flooring professional to install porcelain tiles.

Key benefits of using porcelain tile:

Drawbacks of using porcelain tile:

Slate

Photo: Cavan Images/Cavan/Getty Images

Slate offers a more affordable alternative to more costly tiles like marble and granite. Its smooth texture, natural beauty, and low maintenance make it a great choice for your kitchen floor. A bonus is that it is slip-resistant.

Key benefits of using slate tile:

Drawbacks to using slate tile:

Marble

Marble is a fine stone that can add elegance and an elevated design element to your kitchen. Each tile is an individual piece of art that can be patterned or veined. Available in a medley of finishes, it can be tumbled, honed, polished, or brushed. Marble is an expensive option that requires a great deal of maintenance, compared to other tiles like porcelain.

Key benefits of using marble tile:

Drawbacks to using marble tile:

"Anything unearthed from the ground and cut to use inside our homes reacts to its new environment by slightly changing over time,” says Joe Renda of Tile by Design.

Granite

Natural stones are also excellent with some upkeep required to maintain their original appearance. Granite is an excellent choice for high-traffic areas. Its signature veining and speckling create design interest as no two tiles are the same. Available in a wide range of colors, granite is scratch-resistant and creates a luxurious feel for your kitchen.

Key benefits of using granite tile:

Drawbacks to using granite tile:

Travertine

Travertine tiles are made from a type of limestone whose origins can be found in springs and caves around the world. Used in ancient Roman structures, the natural stone is available today in many colors. Travertine tiles add a natural element to your kitchen. 

Key benefits of using travertine tile:

Drawbacks to using granite tile:

Final Considerations When Choosing Tile

In addition to price and style, Joe Renda of Tile by Design says to make sure to check for the following when picking out your new kitchen tile:

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In terms of practicality, among the finishing materials for non-residential premises, ceramic tiles for the kitchen on the floor stand out. Excellent technical characteristics, the number of shapes and designs, a wide range of sizes - it is not surprising that tiles are used in almost every interior. Today we tell you what to look for when choosing tiles for the kitchen and share photos of real interiors.

Kitchen floor tiles


Porcelain stoneware

This is one of the most durable floor finishes. It was originally designed for use in public and industrial areas with a high load. Modern technologies have helped not only to preserve the excellent characteristics of the material, but also to create a variety of design options and textures: for example, wood, concrete and natural marble.

The Mohs scale is used to evaluate the hardness of minerals. So, porcelain stoneware has a score of 7–8, which is a little less than that of a diamond. This suggests that such a floor will retain its original appearance for a long time: it is not afraid of chips, scratches.

Ceramic tiles

The most popular flooring option. In terms of technical characteristics, it is slightly inferior to porcelain stoneware, but in a variety of textures and designs it has no equal. There are five classes of tile wear resistance, for the kitchen it is recommended to use PEI III (3) and PEI IV (4) - they are suitable for rooms with high traffic.

Project author: Irina Lavrentieva, Anastasia Kamenskikh

Metlakh tiles

This is one of the ceramic tiles with higher wear resistance and durability. This is ensured through the use of special high-strength clay and special production technology. The workpiece is fired at a temperature of 125–140 degrees: clay and glaze are firmly sintered, forming a material that is not afraid of water, cold, caustic chemicals, or high traffic.

Project author: Oleg Toshchev


Project author: Tatyana Tsivileva

Size and shape of floor tiles

Ceramic floor tiles for the kitchen can be of completely different shapes and sizes. Square and rectangle are the most popular options: firstly, any master can handle their installation, and secondly, they are easiest to combine with other materials, such as parquet.

Also in trend today are tiles of a more complex shape - hexagonal (hexagons) and octagonal.

Project author: Svetlana Dikushina

Choose between large and small floor tiles - look at the parameters of the room. For small kitchens, products from 20 to 40 cm long and their variations are suitable.

To avoid trimming and a large amount of "waste", be guided by the dimensions of the room: the width of the tile should be a multiple of them. For example, one meter is three tiles 33.3 cm wide. If you still cannot do without trimming, the seams can be hidden behind kitchen furniture.

Author of the project: Maxim Novinkov

Photo: Olga Melekestseva


Large-format porcelain tile is suitable for large rooms where you can fully appreciate the stylish and effective look of the floor. Some types of this material can be laid with virtually no seams: such a coating looks unified.

Project author: Varvara Zelenetskaya


Project author: Svetlana Zhdanova

Author of the project: Oksana Oleinik


What can be the design of the floor in the kitchen from tiles

The simplest, but at the same time spectacular design is a plain floor in the kitchen. The coating in one color looks uniform, does not distract attention from stylish furniture and interesting finishes. Such a design will not get bored for a long time and will help create an interior “out of time”. When buying, please note that the tiles are from the same batch, otherwise the elements from different boxes will differ in tone.

Multi-pattern flooring for a bolder kitchen floor solution. This can be a geometric print on the product itself or a layout of several types of tiles in the form of a pattern. The color palette and design of the material largely depends on the decoration of the walls, the color of the kitchen set and the textiles on the windows - all the details must be combined with each other.

Designed by: Enjoy Home


Natural parquet or laminate in the interior of the kitchen will replace porcelain stoneware imitating the texture of wood. Some types of material look so realistic that it is easy to confuse them with the original.

In addition to the best technical characteristics, wood-look porcelain stoneware has another advantage over natural parquet in the kitchen: as with other tiles, it can be used with "warm floor".

Project author: Oleg Klodt

Another popular porcelain stoneware design is natural stone flooring. It looks spectacular in classic and modern interiors, where luxurious yet durable materials are needed.

Designers also advise to combine tiles of different designs in one room: for example, create a multi-colored carpet of metlakh tiles in the dining area and complement it with plain tiles in the cooking area.

Photo: Sergey Morgunov

Designed by: Enjoy Home

Color tiles for the kitchen: what shade to choose

When choosing a tile for the kitchen floor, you need to think about what color will be more suitable and practical. The white floor in the kitchen is a great solution: a light coating visually expands the space and looks organic in rooms of different sizes. White color only at first glance may seem easily soiled and impractical: in fact, it shows fewer traces of water and bare foot prints. What can not be said about black tiles. As practice shows, a dark coating is an excellent choice only if your interior is perfectly clean.

Project author: Natalia Dashkova


The most versatile kitchen floor colors are grays and beiges. They are suitable for both classic and modern interiors, do not require special care and maintenance.

Which grout to choose for your kitchen floor

The traditional solution is to choose a grout that matches the tile: white, cream or gray to create a unified flooring without sharp contrasts. If white tiles are planned in the interior, you can try the option with contrasting grout - with hexagons or small-sized tiles, it will look more stylish and impressive.

Project author: Svetlana Khakhaeva

Project author: Anna Bystrova, Irina Shulgina


Author of the project: Maria Danelia, Oleg Nikitin, Marina Serebryanaya, Alexandra Oznobishcheva


When laying tiles of different colors, designers advise using a grout that matches the main shade, which takes up more space in the interior.

Of course, all apartment owners want to keep their grout looking as long as possible. To do this, special sealants and protective compounds can be applied to the cement grout. As an alternative, epoxy grout is suitable: it is more difficult to use, more expensive, but worth it - it is easier to wash off dirt from it, plus it is moisture resistant.

What can tiles be combined with in the kitchen

Increasingly, designers suggest laying ceramic tiles only in the “wet” area, directly 40–50 cm from the edge of kitchen cabinets, and use the main flooring – parquet or laminate – on the rest of the kitchen area. Or the question of combining several materials arises when designing a kitchen-living room.

What combinations are possible:

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Another important point when combining floor coverings is the decoration of the joint between them. This is true not only for the kitchen, but also for the hallway.

Cork compensator is suitable for a beautiful and most imperceptible joint between tiles and parquet. At the same time, it is not recommended to join the coating laid in a “floating” way in this way - it is advisable to glue the parquet to the base in order to avoid swelling. Another option is silicone or acrylic sealant. The thickness of the seam in this case should not exceed the thickness recommended by the instructions.

Decorating the joint between tiles and laminate is somewhat more difficult, since laminate is traditionally laid in a “floating” way, plus it is afraid of water at the cuts. You can use an L-shaped butt sill, or try a cork expansion joint or cork sealant, after gluing the laminate boards to the plywood backing.

Project author: Elena Li


what kind of floor tiles to put, how to choose and choose, types, sizes in the photo and video

Content:

Specifics of the kitchen
Requirements for the floor surface of the kitchen
Types of floor tiles
Design styles and flooring in the kitchen
Choosing the optimal tile size
Other quality characteristics

From a practical point of view, tiles are considered to be the highest quality flooring material for the kitchen. It fully meets all the requirements put forward to the floor surface. When buying this facing material, you should take into account the general style of the room and the properties of different types of floor tiles.


Specific kitchen area

The choice of which tiles to put on the floor in the kitchen has its own characteristics due to the specifics of this room. It is used every day by all family members, food is prepared here and food is taken in the dining area.

Features of the kitchen that affect the selection of floor tiles:


Since the surface of the coating is constantly in contact with water, when deciding which floor tiles to choose for the kitchen, you need to buy products that, after installation, will not let a single drop of liquid through, and the floor will slide.

Kitchen floor requirements

Tiles for the kitchen floor must meet a number of requirements:


Modern floor tiles have a long service life without losing their original appearance. Only improperly executed laying can spoil the coating. Based on the requirements, we can conclude which tile is best for the kitchen on the floor - it must be class 3 and above.

Types of floor tiles

Kitchen floor tiles are represented on the domestic market with a huge variety of patterns and colors. To determine which floor tiles are best for the kitchen, a professional can help, taking into account the base material and the personal preferences of the property owner.

For flooring, you can not use the same tiles as for walls. Manufacturers produce a category of products designed for laying on surfaces that will be subjected to increased load during operation.


The following main types of floor tiles for the kitchen are presented on the market:

  1. Ceramic . This type of coating differs in structure, color, thickness, outer coating. Ceramics can imitate any materials, for example, as in the photo. For the kitchen area, the best choice would be a matte unglazed tile with a ribbed surface or coated with a corundum coating.
  2. Stoneware . In terms of its qualities, this material, which has a low-porosity structure, is superior to ceramics. It is more durable, wear-resistant and durable. For the floor in the kitchen, they mainly buy porcelain stoneware with a matte finish.
  3. PVC tiles . You don't need to buy glue to mount it. Laying is carried out thanks to the locking connections available on the tiles and the self-adhesive surface. To mount it requires a completely flat base.
  4. Glass . Surfaces created with glass tiles have a particularly attractive appearance. In terms of performance, the glass coating is not inferior to ceramics (for more details: "How to make a glass floor - types and methods of arrangement"). The main disadvantage of this floor is its high cost.
  5. Natural stone . Marble is the most commonly used, but it is costly and slippery and is therefore used in mansions where food is rarely prepared in the kitchen.
  6. Living 3D floor . It consists of several layers of polycarbonate with a liquid placed between them. Tiles withstand mechanical loads and considerable weight. For installation of a 3D floor, a perfectly flat surface is required.

Design styles and kitchen flooring

Before choosing floor tiles for the kitchen, you need to familiarize yourself with the design of the room. It is necessary to take into account the style of the room and the color scheme of the interior. Only after that proceed to the purchase of materials.


Most often, when decorating a kitchen, the following styles are used:

  1. Classic . The ideal choice would be beige, brown, white tiles. Looks good imitation of stone, marble, wood.
  2. Country . In a rustic-style kitchen, light-colored materials should be used for decoration.
  3. Minimalism and high-tech . It is preferable to lay simple tiles to the maximum without color patterns and rich decor. The color of the flooring is white, gray, less often black.
  4. Modern . It is appropriate to use lining of any color. The floor must be selected in accordance with the interior of the kitchen.

So that traces of dirt are not visible on the floor covering in the kitchen, it is advisable to choose products with stains or a similar texture. By the way, a matte or embossed surface is more difficult to clean, and water drops are clearly visible on a glossy tile.

Choosing the right tile size

The sizes of floor tiles for the kitchen are selected depending on the area of ​​​​the room. If the finishing products are chosen correctly, you can visually change the feeling of space and the perception of zones in the room.

For the most part, in apartments and houses, the area of ​​\u200b\u200bkitchens is limited, therefore, for such premises, the best solution would be to lay medium-sized tiles: 20x20 or 35x35 centimeters (read also: "What sizes of floor tiles are there"). After the installation of such products, the lack of square meters will be visually less noticeable.


In addition to the size of the tiles, the layout of their installation is important. A room with elements laid diagonally looks more spacious and interesting. Square fragments are easiest to mount according to the “seam to seam” pattern.

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