The kitchen is the heart of any home, a warm and cozy space not only for eating, but also for friendly and family meetings. Therefore, you should carefully approach the choice of practical flooring material. For this purpose, tiles that do not absorb water and dirt and are resistant to damage are suitable.
Even if you accidentally spill oil, you don't have to worry about stains remaining. A regular cleaning product will perfectly remove any dirt and after a few minutes the floor will be sparkling clean again.
Which kitchen tiles are best? It all depends on your preferences. Large-format porcelain tiles, reminiscent of marble, look especially impressive.
Is it better to choose matte or glossy tiles? Gloss can add depth to even a very small kitchen. In the case of large interiors, we can combine matte flooring with shiny wall tiles and vice versa.
Ceramic tiles - the choice of many generations
Modern methods of cladding various surfaces are extremely diverse. The place that tiles occupy among wall and floor coverings is deserved by many years of testing their high performance characteristics.
Already in ancient times, the advantages of tiled tiles were known firsthand, but were available only to the wealthy class. Such luxury as ordinary floor tiles for the kitchen and corridor a hundred or two hundred years ago was an indicator of the prosperity of the owners of the house.
In the 21st century, tiling surfaces has become available to customers with any income level. Thanks to high competition, the technological characteristics of finishing materials are constantly improving, and prices are becoming lower after the next update of the range.
When choosing tiles for the kitchen floor, a prudent owner will consider not only the options offered at the nearest hardware store, but will also analyze all the offers available on the market.
Disadvantages of tiled flooring
The disadvantages of using tiles include:
- Cold surface. You will have to wear slippers in the kitchen, especially in the winter. Installing a floor heating system will help solve this problem.
- The occurrence of chips from falling heavy objects.
- Slippery surface. You can encounter this drawback if you choose the wrong tile. There are many models on the market with a matte rough surface.
- Requires a perfectly flat and dry floor for installation. If you do not adhere to this condition, cracks will form in the kitchen.
- Low level of sound insulation. This problem can be solved by laying soundproofing material.
Advice! Relief tiles look very beautiful, but dirt is difficult to wash off from its surface.
Types of floor tiles
Tiles can be wall, floor and facade. These three types of products differ in their technical characteristics. The thinnest are wall tiles, the most durable are tiles that cover the external walls of buildings. For example, all types of outdoor tiles almost do not absorb water, are heat and frost resistant, and have the properties necessary for many years of outdoor service.
Minimum requirements apply to the durability of wall tiles used in the bathroom and kitchen. It can be quite thin, but this should be kept in mind and not expose the ceramic to excess.
In terms of their strength and thickness, floor tiles are the optimal middle option between façade and wall tiles.
Luxurious marble effect
Real natural stone tends to be expensive and isn't always the most practical choice. Porcelain tiles offer an alternative that is both affordable and durable. In addition, there is a huge variety of design variations.
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Marble tiles will provide a luxurious appearance without special financial costs. This tile floor will make your kitchen more elegant. You can choose tiles that would go well with a marble countertop. Marble is a timeless classic. This sophisticated material or marble effect tiles will create a clean, elevated look.
Pros and cons of ceramic tiles
Where food is prepared, dirt collects on the floor much faster than in other areas. The only thing that can compete with the rate of contamination of the kitchen floor is the hallway hallway.
It is quite understandable why homeowners first choose the design of floor tiles for the kitchen, often leaving other characteristics of the facing materials without attention.
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Both low soiling and the combination of tiles with other components of the interior are certainly important, but from a practical point of view, you should first decide not on the design or size of the ceramic elements, but on its functional properties.
Why do many people choose tiles rather than laminate or other floor coverings:
- the tile does not absorb water and dirt and is easy to clean;
- resistant to abrasion, deformation, exposure to ultraviolet radiation, chemical reagents, non-flammable;
- there are many options for its execution: for example, wood floor tiles (most likely it will be porcelain stoneware) do not differ in appearance from real wooden floors.
There are not many disadvantages to tiles as a floor covering. These include the relatively high cost of some types of this material, as well as professional work on preparing a heated floor for the kitchen under the tiles (if you don’t want to constantly wear slippers in the kitchen and hallway).
Color and tone
It is important to know here that the tiles can differ significantly in shade if they are from different batches. The store must be warned about this. A responsible manufacturer marks the product with special markings.
Before purchasing, you should make sure that each box has the same symbol of the product type.
What to do if the tiles are still different or the purchased material was not enough and you had to buy another package from a different batch. Some design tips:
- choose the closest possible tone;
- calculate the masonry so that the visible part of the floor is the same;
- hide the boundaries of difference under the kitchen set and other furniture.
To avoid such problems, it is better to make sure in advance that all products are the same color, but to do this you will have to open the packaging.
Expert opinion
Olga Kovalenko
Since 2010 I have been engaged in interior design and architectural design.
For the kitchen, it is better to choose tiles with a matte finish, which are more practical to use.
Types of wear-resistant tiles
Porcelain tiles or ordinary floor tiles? Mosaic, square or rhombic? Seamed or seamless, wide format or standard size? When figuring out which tile is better for the kitchen floor, you should know that the tiles vary:
- By manufacturing method:
- pressed (a special mixture is pressed, then fired in an autoclave for firing, laid using the joint method, requires grouting the joints after laying on the surface);
- extruded (the same material is extruded through a special mold and also processed in an autoclave, but the finished product is laid using a seamless method);
- porcelain stoneware (very different in composition, but made using the above-mentioned pressed tile method).
- glazed tiles (a glass-like glossy coating that can be painted on);
- unglazed tiles (the color of the tiles is always from the range of red-terracotta undertones, or is determined by the pigment added to the initial mixture for firing). This type of tile is frost-resistant and has high adhesion, so it is often used on steps, terraces and streets. However, it is more difficult to clean from dirt;
- porcelain stoneware - in appearance it is similar to ordinary granite, therefore it is often used in solutions for premises that require a note of monumentality and emphasized financial well-being of the owners.
Laying methods
When the color and shape of the tiles are chosen, installation of the product begins. Here everyone decides for themselves whether to trust the master or start styling with their own hands. The methods differ according to the type of masonry:
- Traditional. The figures line up corner to corner. This method is suitable for single-color tiles or a checkerboard layout.
- Bias. It will help you create an original floor design from a modest and discreet base.
- Diagonally. A modern solution for a small kitchen space. Thanks to this method, you can visually lengthen the room.
- Imitation of parquet pattern. It is difficult to perform this installation option without experience and skills.
- Modular grid. The tiles are laid in a special pattern, which is difficult for a beginner to imagine and design; it is better to entrust the work to a master.
- Christmas tree with attachment. Not suitable for material with a catchy design or pattern. Using small inserts, a composition with bright splashes is created.
Expert opinion
Olga Kovalenko
Since 2010 I have been engaged in interior design and architectural design.
The size of the tiles should be a multiple of the width and length of the room, so that there is as little trimming of solid products as possible.
Sizes and shapes of floor tiles
The choice of any type of finishing materials depends on the expected intensity of their use, the type of room and other parameters.
Professionals select the shape and size of floor tiles in accordance with the final purpose of use - tiles, which have an unusual shape and high wear resistance, allow the implementation of many original design solutions. Multifaceted, mosaic or rounded kitchen floor tiles are a fairly popular solution in modern interiors.
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Today, ceramic cladding materials are available on the market in a variety of sizes. Before the actual laying of tiles on the kitchen floor begins, you should make an accurate measurement of the area of the room, simulating the matching of the tile pattern.
If it is not possible to take the advice of an experienced craftsman, you should find special online calculators on the Internet and calculate the tiles for the floor, remembering that if there is not enough quantity, it may be difficult to purchase more, and in any case it will not hurt to have spare tiles on hand.
If the size of the solid elements does not coincide exactly with the area of the room, then some of them can be given a suitable shape using professional cutting.
Advantages and disadvantages
You should consider the advantages and disadvantages of each individual type of ceramic tile.
| Material | pros | Minuses |
| Tile | Durability, reasonable price, long service life, ease of maintenance, environmental friendliness, fire resistance, damaged floor area is easy to replace | The material is cold and slippery and requires careful surface preparation before installation. It has low sound insulation |
| Porcelain tiles | Wear resistance, clear pattern, strength | Heavy slabs are very fragile and difficult to lay |
| Quartzvinyl | A floor made from this material is warm, non-slip, and easy to install. | Difficulty in transportation due to the heaviness of the slabs |
All shortcomings of any type can be corrected. Sound insulation will be enhanced by an additional layer of special material, cold tiles will be corrected by the “warm floors” system, and the textured surface will reduce slipping.
Beauty and functionality
Wherever kitchen floor tiles are sold - in Leroy Merlin or in any other hardware store, you should not only listen to the sales consultant, but also clearly understand what kind of final result is desired upon completion of the finishing work. To do this, you need to familiarize yourself in advance with the range and properties of goods offered on the market.
Having seen a photo of kitchen floor tiles that fit perfectly into the intended design project, you should not rush to order it. First you need to check the main technical characteristics inherent in the selected material and the manufacturer’s guarantee for the long-term preservation of the appearance of the product and its functional properties.
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Any ceramic floor tiles for the kitchen should continue to be suitable for use if:
- a caustic liquid spilled on the floor, boiling water spilled, a heavy hot household item fell;
- there are sudden temperature changes in the room;
- There is constantly high humidity in the room;
- tiles are regularly exposed to physical impact (moving furniture, interacting with objects that scratch its outer layer).
It is precisely because wall tiles do not meet the last criterion that they cannot be laid on the floor, while on the contrary - as much as you like.
Everything you need to know about tiles in the kitchen:
Specifications
- Wear resistance
- Hardness
- Friction coefficient
- Chemical resistance
- Water absorption coefficient
Dimensions: what to focus on?
Design Features
- Color
- Imitation of stone and wood
How to choose grout?
Ceramic tiles for kitchen flooring have many advantages: wear-resistant, environmentally friendly, durable, and easy to clean. In addition, the choice is really wide: you can find products for every taste and budget.
But there are also disadvantages. Tile is a cold material; it does not heat up even in the hot season. If you like warm floors, which is especially important in winter, you cannot do without installing the appropriate system. In addition, it has poor sound insulation - this should also be taken care of at the installation stage.
Instagram @anna_mikheeva_design_studio
ETRURIA design
Cersanit
Instagram @gretafoto_ru
The main criteria for choosing tiles for the kitchen
So, the product must meet the following requirements:
- wear resistance (5 levels of strength);
- frost resistance (indicates the minimum temperature at which the ceramics will not crack);
- water absorption (the figure should not exceed 3%);
- resistance to mechanical and chemical stress (5 strength classes - from AA to D, where AA is the most reliable);
- fire resistance (indicates the maximum temperature at which the ceramics will not begin to melt);
- suitable coefficient of friction (from 0 to 0.75, the latter is considered the safest).
Quality indicators
What are the main criteria for choosing tiles? Read carefully a number of tips that must be taken into account when purchasing.
Before purchasing tiles, you should pay attention to the performance characteristics of the products - durability and strength
Important! The tiles must be of good quality. The best choice for the kitchen would be to buy tiles on the PEI scale of at least class III, but according to GOST it is better to buy class 5.
The packages of floor tiles indicate the caliber - the permissible deviation from the nominal size. It is important that all purchased packs have the same caliber, otherwise the seams between the tiles will be crooked
Additional Information! There are 1, 2 and 3 grades of tiles. The probability of a defective specimen of the first grade is 5 pieces out of a hundred, for the third - 25.
Another quality criterion is the Mohs scale, which shows hardness. We recommend purchasing products with a hardness of at least 7 units.
Glossy or matte? As for glossy, it is guaranteed to provide the kitchen space with style and comfort, and will look neat and beautiful. However, according to the Mohs scale described above, such material will not exceed 5-6 units, so sand, small glass or crumbs will easily leave small scratches on it.
Glossy tiles are very beautiful, easy to clean and visually lighten the space
Matte surface is more resistant to mechanical stress
Matte tiles are more practical. Unlike gloss, it is much more difficult to leave scratches or other damage on it. If you decide to buy matte tiles, then give preference to a smooth material, without relief, patterns, patterns or roughness, otherwise maintenance of the coating will be significantly more complicated.
Important! Remember that the better the quality, the higher the price! When choosing tiles, focus on your financial capabilities, your own preferences and the interior of the kitchen.
The size and format of the tiles affect the cost, degree of difficulty of installation and the amount of waste
Tile base
Regular floor tiles or porcelain tiles? Everyone decides for themselves according to their needs and financial capabilities.
In addition, the owner of the renovated kitchen will have to decide what the base for the kitchen floor will be under the tiles and how much he is willing to pay for it.
There are many options:
- drywall is a fairly durable and inexpensive material that does not require special leveling;
- plywood - careful processing is required to increase the moisture resistance of the base. However, there is special plywood for outdoor use and so-called bakelite plywood, which is used in aircraft and shipbuilding;
- plaster - with its help the concrete base is leveled, but permissible unevenness should not exceed 3 mm;
- old tiles - they must be covered with a special primer and the loose tiles must be dismantled before doing this.
The ceramic tile itself is attached to the base using an appropriate elastic adhesive that is able to adhere to smooth and non-absorbent surfaces.
Direct laying of ceramic tiles on aerated concrete, foam concrete, as well as wood chipboards and oriented strand boards is prohibited.
Grout options
There is a special mixture for decorating seams, which can be applied in several ways:
- choose a color to match the coating to completely hide the seams;
- emphasize the geometric pattern using contrast (black tiles - white stripes);
- use a clear mixture. Suitable for surfaces with an ornamental pattern, a special play of colors, or a variegated pattern.
If there is high humidity in a house or apartment, it is recommended to use epoxy grout. It prevents the appearance of black mold and mildew and is impervious to moisture. This option is more expensive, but will eliminate problems with dampness.
Variety of shapes and colors
Having decided on the quality of the product, you can proceed to the most enjoyable part of the process - choosing a color scheme.
In Russia, since the end of perestroika, more and more new companies producing ceramic tiles began to appear - both private ones offering handmade products for individual orders, and representatives of foreign companies with many years of experience. Everyone has been hearing about Kerama Marazzi tiles for many years, which in the early 1990s showed citizens of the former USSR that the number of decorative solutions for facing materials tends to infinity, and the range can be completely updated every new season.
The choice is huge and it’s unlikely that any harsh advice is appropriate here.
Many owners prefer the classics - and this, of course, is white tiles in the kitchen, on the floor of which, however, any crumb or pet hair will be instantly noticeable. However, housewives who keep the kitchen as clean as an operating room choose this particular floor color.
A marble-like floor tile, which has graceful veining and matches most kitchen interiors, will hide an untimely speck much better. Gray tiles for the kitchen floor are very practical - they are most suitable for temporarily hiding minor dirt that is inevitable during cooking.
But the main decision that the buyer of this type of ceramic products has to make is, oddly enough, not the quality, shape or color, but whether the heated floor in the kitchen will be prepared for tiles, or whether the base will remain unchanged.
In case you go to the store
Before going to the store, carefully measure the kitchen, approximately decide on the installation pattern, color and design of the coating as a whole.
- Don’t forget to grab a notepad and pen to write down the parameters of the options you like: article number, price, name of the manufacturer and collection, and most importantly, dimensions (caliber can be ignored at the planning stage). When you return home, carefully consider which tile to choose in terms of size and design, calculate the material consumption, if possible, make layout drawings, read reviews and monitor the market. Perhaps in some online store the tiles of the article you need are cheaper.
- And we remind you once again that before paying for your purchase, you need to independently double-check the caliber and tone of the assembled boxes, and also buy material with at least a 10% reserve.
Warm floor under tiles in the kitchen
Heating elements for underfloor heating in an apartment building can only be electric, while in a private house you can also use a so-called water circuit that does not take water from the general heating system used in high-rise buildings.
Installation of floor heating systems is carried out not only in rooms with ceramic flooring, but also where laminate flooring is installed. But ordinary wooden floors, as a rule, do not need such heating.
The thermal conductivity of ceramic flooring is very high, so this kind of home upgrade will be appreciated by both owners and guests.
The reasons why underfloor heating cannot be installed can be both financial and domestic. In this case, you should choose floor tiles with high adhesive properties and be sure to buy cozy slippers for the winter. Slippers are relatively inexpensive, and the beauty and benefits of tiles are certainly priceless.
Large format porcelain tiles for more space
Larger tiles are also a great choice this year and next. The larger size means less grout and a more cohesive, virtually seamless appearance. This option is perfect if you want the kitchen to look more spacious or fit into an open design project where the kitchen is combined with the dining room.
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Keep up with the latest trends in kitchen tiles and you can create a look for your kitchen that will look amazing for years to come. You can already view samples of the collections on the stand in our branded showroom-shop KERAMOGRANIT.RU.
Sellers who are attentive to your needs, who are well aware of the huge assortment of the salon, will be happy to provide you with qualified advice and full order support.
SALON ADDRESS: MOSCOW, ST. NOVOGIREEVSKAYA, BUILDING 10, Bldg. 1. TELEPHONE
