Kitchen Flooring Upgrade: What Type of Tile Should You Use?
American homeowners and landlords spent a whopping $424 billion on home improvements in 2017, up from $397.8 billion in 2016, according to Improving America’s Housing 2019, an analysis of government data by the Harvard Joint Center for Housing Studies. The report shows the popular renovations are minor improvements that have an impact on your home’s aesthetics and value.
At the top of the list is flooring, which transforms your home at a reasonable cost. If you’re planning to improve your floors, start in your kitchen. Tile is ideal for kitchen flooring because it withstands heavy foot traffic, spills, water, and resists odor and bacteria common in this area of the home.
Choose the Right Tile for Your Project
The type of tile you choose affects your remodeling project. Tiles come in different types, and not all of them are suitable for every project. The two most common types of tiles are:
- Porcelain – this type of tile has crispier, cleaner edges. It also has a denser composite, and it can keep from absorbing water and air better than ceramic. This type of tile keeps chipping and color issues from occurring.
- Ceramic – this type of tile is usually handmade and has an imperfect shape. Unlike porcelain, ceramic tiles are more porous by nature. You can use this material as a backsplash in your kitchen or decorative accent in a transitional space. It’s not recommended for exterior use because it absorbs too much water.
Porcelain tiles would be an excellent choice for your kitchen flooring. This material works well in areas in high traffic and high moisture areas. It’s also durable, easy-to-clean, and stylish.
Shopping for Kitchen Floor Tile
Beauty is not the only factor you should consider when shopping for floor tiles, especially for the kitchen. These are other factors you should also remember along with aesthetic:
- Water-resistance – the material should be able to resist the water your kitchen gets.
- Durability – your kitchen floor tile needs to withstand a lot of activities that may or may not be related to cooking.
- Standing or walking comfort – the material shouldn’t hurt your back and legs, especially when you stand on the surface for a long time.
- Breakage – make sure your tile floor won’t break when a heavy object drops.
Once you have chosen the right tile floor for your kitchen, you need to prepare your kitchen for installation. Preparations help make the installation process smooth and efficient. And a professional installation ensures your porcelain or ceramic flooring lasts for as long as you need it.
Extensive Flooring Products, Quality Installations
Main Street Kitchen & Flooring pays attention to detail and craftsmanship. We will help you upgrade your kitchen flooring using tiles that match your style and suit your needs. We have worked on a variety of projects, from custom homes to multi-unit, high-end townhomes. We’re here to help you transform your home into the dream space you envision.
Contact us today or visit our showroom to learn more about our products.