Love Your Kitchen (Again)
From preparing food to spending time with family and friends, the kitchen is the unofficial gathering space of your house. So, when you decide to give your kitchen a much-needed makeover, you need flooring that is smart, stylish, and easy-to-clean.
At St. Louis Tile Company, we specialize in durable floor tiles for kitchen renovations. Our knowledgeable team of experts provides you with a variety of tiling options and design advice so that you can achieve the kitchen of your dreams.
How to Choose Floor Tiles for Kitchen Remodels
Whether you desire a sleek, modern style or a classic farmhouse design, you can create a beautiful kitchen with decorative floor tiles. However, before you begin tiling, there are specific factors you should consider.
Cost
Before you begin shopping for tile, you need to determine your budget. Due to manufacturing costs, vinyl or linoleum tiles are affordable, while a natural stone or ceramic tile is more expensive. The cut you choose for your kitchen floor tiles will also affect the cost, which majorly impacts your budget.
Durability and Density
Most kitchens endure heavy to moderate traffic, which means you need a tile that is durable, hard, and slip-resistant. Hardness is determined by the Mohs scale, which measures a material’s ability to withstand wear and heavy foot traffic, as well as chips and scratches. By utilizing the scale, you can select the right floor tile for your kitchen.
Installation
Some tiles are easy to install, while others require the help of a professional. Before you choose the kitchen floor tile, you need to decide if you want a DIY project or if you are willing to pay others to install it.
Maintenance
Whether you live in a home with small children or pets, you should choose a floor tile that is easy-to-clean and maintain. While stone and vinyl tile is beautiful, they require frequent sealing and scratch easily. Porcelain and ceramic tile, however, are more durable and require minimal maintenance.
Slip Resistance
Unfortunately, accidents can happen, which means you need slip-resistant tile. Slate has a naturally slip-resistant texture, while ceramic or porcelain tile has a specially textured surface with slip-resistant coatings.
Style and Design
Ranging in material, color, size, and style, there are a variety of floor tiles for kitchen remodels on the market. Whether you want a tile that resembles wood or intricate mosaic tile, you can find a floor tile that suits your specific design needs.
Water Absorption
In a kitchen, you need a non-porous tile that is ideal for moisture-resistance and absorbing water spills. Porosity is determined by the ratio of air holes to solids in a tile, which impacts the amount of water it absorbs. Water is incapable of degrading inorganic materials, which means natural stone and ceramic tiles are ideal for kitchens.
Popular Floor Tiles for Kitchen Renovations
Regardless of the look you want to achieve, there are various types of floor tiles on the market, including ceramic, porcelain, and natural stone tile.
Ceramic Floor Tile
Softer and more porous than porcelain, ceramic tile adds durability, flexibility, and beauty to your kitchen. With a glazed surface, ceramic tile is impervious to everyday kitchen spills, stains, and scratches, as well as humidity and heavy foot traffic.
Available in a variety of colors, patterns, and styles, you can achieve various looks with ceramic tile, including a checkered pattern or decorative border. It is also easy to cut and install on your own, which makes it perfect for DIY kitchen renovations.
Natural Stone Tile
If you want to achieve a luxurious, upscale look in your kitchen, you should consider natural stone tiles. Natural stone tile is available in various materials, including slate, travertine, granite, marble, sandstone, and limestone.
Typically, slate and granite tiles are the most popular stone floor tiles for kitchen renovations. Natural stone tiles are either polished or honed in appearance. Polished stone surfaces are slippery when wet but incredibly beautiful, while honed stone tiles provide more traction but have a less vibrant appearance.
Porcelain Floor Tile
As a type of ceramic tile, porcelain is more durable and water-resistant than ordinary ceramics. Porcelain tile is composed of clays fired at a high temperature and has a non-porous surface that is waterproof and durable.
Porcelain is a popular option for wall and floor tiles for kitchen remodels, as well as backsplashes and countertops. It is easy-to-clean, so you only have to sweep or mop the tile with a damp rag.
Additionally, porcelain tiles can mimic a variety of traditional flooring materials, including marble, granite, and wood. With its flexibility in design, you can enjoy the performance advantages and durability of porcelain tile without compromising style.
Your Destination for Kitchen Floor Tile
At St. Louis Company, we offer a variety of floor tile for kitchen remodels. We also have a team of expert designers, who are available seven days a week. To learn more about our products and services, visit our showroom in Ellisville, or schedule a free consultation today!
