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Ceramic tiles are the most commonly found tiles in the kitchen. Check out the kitchen ceramic tile design.
Advantages & Disadvantages of Ceramic Tiles in Kitchen
Ceramic tiles are thin slabs of clay, in the form of shale, gypsum or sand, converted into a material known as bisque. This bisque is given the shape of tiles and hardened, through the process of firing, in kiln with temperature up to 2500 deg F. Best known for their durability; these tiles are also very cost effective and add to the beauty of a place. Since ceramic tile are porous in nature, they are often coated with glaze. The coating is followed by firing in the kiln, to make the glaze hard and sturdy. The main value of ceramic tiles lies in the fact that they can be made in an infinite variety of colors and shapes. In kitchen, they can be used for flooring, walls, countertops as well as backsplashes.
Why Ceramic Tile for Kitchen?
Ceramic is the most preferred choice as far as kitchen tiles are concerned. The reasons for the same have been listed below.
- Ceramic tiles are extremely durable and can be cleaned by investing minimal time and effort.
- There is wide variety, in terms of sizes, shapes, textures and colors, as far as ceramic tiles are concerned.
- Ceramic tiles can match almost any and every decorating style.
- With the right instructions and a bit of patience, ceramic tiles can be laid by homeowners themselves.
- Ceramic tiles are quite inexpensive, when compared to other types of tiles.
The Disadvantages
Along with presenting a number of advantages, ceramic tiles suffer from numerous cons as well. The main ones have been listed below.
- When compared to paint and wallpaper, ceramic tiles come across as expensive.
- Ceramic tiles are more difficult to maintain than vinyl, paint, wallpaper and fiberglass.
- Being hard in nature, ceramic tiles are susceptible to chipping or cracking on forceful impact.
- Ceramic tiles feel colder to touch as compared to the other type of flooring, thus being at a disadvantage in low-weather conditions.
Choosing the Right Ceramic Kitchen Tile
Before installing ceramic tiles in your kitchen, you need to decide on their particular size, hardness, etc. These tiles come in a wide variety of sizes, ranging from squares of 1 inch to 24 inches, though the 12 inch and 18 inch sizes are the most common. If your kitchen is not too big, it is better to go for tiles in the form of 12-inch squares or smaller. Since larger tiles overshadow the Decor of a room, using them is advisable only if your kitchen is big enough. In terms of hardness, ceramic tiles are rated from zero to five. For kitchen, those with two or three rating will be the best.
Some Tips
- When buying tiles, always purchase a few more than you will need. This is because there is a strong possibility of some tiles breaking down during installation.
- Instead of placing the tiles in the form of a grid, try going for a diagonal pattern. It would add visual appeal to your kitchen.
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