Benefits of using tiles
Among the advantages of choosing a material, the following points should be noted:
- Strength of the material.
- Easy to install tiles. You can start working on your own with only minor construction skills.
- Fungus does not form under the tiles (if the installation rules are followed).
- Tiles allow you to hide defects and irregularities on the walls.
- A wide range of models of all colors, sizes and textures.
- The tiles are resistant to moisture, so wet cleaning is not difficult for the housewife.
A wide price range can also be considered a plus, because this parameter is often the main one for buyers.
What do different styles of floor tiles look like?
Tiled flooring can be an excellent solution for a kitchen designed in any style direction, for example, loft, Provence, hi-tech, Scandinavian, oriental, classic or modern style.
The photo shows a kitchen-living room in a classic style with a floor decorated with tiles with monogram patterns.
- For classics, they often prefer marble finishes or plain products with a restrained, discreet pattern, for example, monograms or stripes that organically complement the overall interior.
- Tiles imitating aged brick or stone in dark colors will perfectly complement a loft room, and tile modules with imitation wood with a patina or plain tiles in pastel colors will decorate a kitchen in the Provence style.
- In a modern or high-tech style, a glossy or matte tiled floor in a plain gray, black, white or beige would be especially appropriate.
Disadvantages of Practical Choices
However, using ceramic tiles also has its disadvantages:
- When purchasing ceramics with a plot pattern, the master must follow the sequence of laying the modules.
- The need to cut tiles to lay difficult places.
- Finishing wall panels requires a large amount of consumables.
- When using mosaic tiles, large gaps are formed between adjacent elements in which dirt can accumulate.
For some types of ceramics, preliminary preparation of the walls is necessary (primer, putty, leveling).
Floor design in the kitchen-living room: examples of zoning
The kitchen-living room can have zoning elements in the floor design, which allows you to create an exclusive, cozy interior. Zoning makes it possible to comfortably use each zone and create a unique atmosphere for it. The most common combination is marble and wood porcelain tiles, as well as ceramic parquet and marble tiles.
Combination of porcelain tiles imitating wood and marble in the design of a kitchen-living room with heated floors
The combination of wood- and marble-effect porcelain tiles in a kitchen-living room design may be the best solution for separating two zones. For example, in the culinary area and in the island area you can use a marble design, and in the living room itself - a wood design.
Combined marbled porcelain tile finish with dark perimeter outline with black accent
The intricate porcelain tile finish with black accented perimeter looks especially luxurious. The photo above is a perfect example of just such an Art Deco finish with a minimalist set. Gold accents beautifully highlight this dark interior with natural marble countertops and backsplash.
Choice of colors
The design of kitchen wall tiles is an important parameter that should be approached with special care. It has long been known that the optimal color combination can create the desired visual effect.
The choice of color depends on the personal wishes of the owner, the chosen interior style, and the size of the kitchen space. Possible options:
- Light shades are perfect for small spaces and combined rooms (for example, studio apartments). These can be cream, pale blue tones.
- Dark tones (black, dark brown shades) are used as a contrasting color (for example, to visually highlight a white set).
Also a common option is the use of mosaic tiles or tiles with a stencil pattern. Such models are successfully combined with modern interior styles - Loft, minimalism and eco-style.
Expert advice
Tiles are a very durable material, and the costs of purchasing and installing them are quite high, so before purchasing the material it is better to take the advice of experienced finishers:
- It is necessary to buy tiles only after the kitchen design has been fully thought out and its color scheme has been determined. The material can complement other decoration or furnishings, match tone-on-tone or contrast with them.
- You shouldn’t trust even professional calculations too much. During the renovation, something will definitely go wrong (the tile will break, a piece will fall off, it will be cut incorrectly), so a small supply of tiles (10-15% of the total need) will definitely find its use.
On the other hand, online store calculators can produce an error in the other direction, providing customers with excess meters of goods offered. In this case, the store has every right not to accept back material that is not needed.
- The tiles must be checked before paying. There are cases when a perfectly flat package contains tiles with chipped edges.
- The size of the tile also plays an important role. Small tiles will avoid a lot of waste, but will create too many joints, and a room decorated with small objects will look too difficult to perceive. Large tiles (especially with a pattern) will visually reduce the space and will not be an effective way to save: some of the rectangles will have to be cut, and using small pieces will be quite problematic.
Relief tiles will more readily collect dirt and carbon deposits, and will be more difficult to clean. Therefore, it is better to stick to smooth materials.
Glossy tiles will bring more light into the kitchen, but water droplets and stains are clearly visible on them. Accordingly, you will have to wash it more often. Matte tiles will be a more pleasant finish in this regard.
Methods for attaching tiles to the wall
The quality of laying tiles on the kitchen wall largely depends on the technique used and the method of fastening. The following fastening methods are known today:
Cement mortar. The most reliable type of installation. Used for problem walls, in places where dampness and moisture accumulate. For optimal installation, the correct ratio of sand, cement and water is required, as well as the use of a special mesh for ceramic elements.
Use of special glue. Each type of tile requires the selection of the optimal adhesive solution to ensure reliable and durable fastening of the material.
To prevent the formation of gaps between adjacent elements, putty or plastic layers are used between the tiles. Instructions on how to glue tiles to a wall in the kitchen can be found on any web resource for practical repairs.
Advantages and disadvantages of different types
Ceramics (tiles)
Advantages of tiles:
- high strength, able to withstand the fall of even heavy objects;
- low cost and best value for money;
- ease of care. Tile is not afraid of chemical detergents and is easy to clean from dirt, which is an important factor for the kitchen;
- durability. The service life of such flooring is from 15 years;
- moisture resistance. Unlike laminate or parquet, ceramic floor tiles for the kitchen will be a more reasonable solution;
- fire resistance. In case of fire it does not burn, and when exposed to high temperatures it does not deform;
- UV resistance. This means that the design will not fade in a sunny kitchen;
- environmental friendliness. The material does not emit harmful substances and is safe for health;
- large selection of interior solutions. Using the direction of the drawing, you can visually correct the shape of the room. You can choose a design for a kitchen of any size and any style;
- You can quickly and easily replace a locally damaged area, rather than replacing the entire floor.
It is fair to note the disadvantages of tiles:
- poor sound insulation;
- cold material;
- troublesome installation due to the need to eliminate voids before installation and level the floor;
- slippery surface.
All of the above disadvantages can be solved using various methods. For example, the disadvantage of poor sound insulation can be easily eliminated by laying an additional layer of special soundproofing material.
Cold tiles will be warmer if you install a “warm floor” system. Good thermal conductivity allows this to be done.
The surface will become less slippery and traumatic if you choose not a smooth coating, but a rough, textured one with a certain coefficient of friction. Detailed recommendations on how to choose the option that is suitable for the kitchen will be discussed below.
Preparation of the working surface and installation are the only things on which you should not save either time or effort.
Porcelain tiles
For objectivity, also consider another option for kitchen floor tiles - porcelain stoneware .
Tiles in an industrial interior with minimalist elements
The main competition for ceramic flooring consists of the following qualities:
- durability of the drawing. Thanks to a special production technology, the pattern is not on the surface, like a tile, but as if inside the layer. And without additional enamel, the design, even under intense loads, will not rub off or fade, which cannot be said about tiles, which can lose their attractiveness over a long period of use;
- strength. If you meet all the requirements for high-quality installation, then it will be very difficult to break such a coating or even slightly damage it.
The main disadvantages that make the main competitor, ceramics, more popular are the high price, complexity of transportation and installation. Due to the fragility of the material itself before installation and its heavy weight, many simply abandon it in favor of tiles.
Types of tiles for the kitchen
Manufacturers of construction and finishing materials today can offer their customers a huge range of products. The most interesting types of ceramic tiles for the kitchen wall:
- Pressed tiles.
- Model without enamel.
- Glazed tiles.
- Clinker model.
All presented options differ in a set of positive and negative properties that determine the buyer’s choice.
Note!
- Linoleum for the kitchen - master classes on installing linoleum in the kitchen interior. The best design ideas and color schemes (120 photos)
- Illumination of the work area in the kitchen: TOP-130 design options. Rules for selecting and installing lighting in photo reviews
Stretch ceiling in the kitchen - TOP-130 design options for stretch ceiling in the kitchen + photo examples
Tips for caring for tiles
To ensure that the tiles serve you for a long time and do not lose their original appearance, you should adhere to several rules:
Use special tile care products. Conventional detergents can damage the integrity of the tiles, scratch them or damage the paintwork. Tile care products are not much more expensive than ordinary household chemicals, but they significantly extend the service life of the surface coating.
The apron or wall should be washed after each cooking. To avoid difficulty cleaning the tiles later, wipe the tiles immediately after preparing a dish.
Use soft foam sponges or flannel fabrics. This way you will not damage or scratch the surface of the apron or wall.
Use a soft mop when cleaning tile floors. Floor tiles are not very different from those you use on walls, so it is also worth using softer materials when caring for your flooring.
When finishing the walls and floor of the kitchen, pay attention to the tile covering. Despite the high price, you get a beautiful, practical material that will last you a long time if you follow the rules of care.
Wall decoration with tiles is practiced in many rooms, including the kitchen, due to its practicality and design. Tiles can be selected to suit any decision; they have a lot of design options, which adds choice and gives free rein to your imagination.
Glazed tiles
An excellent option for finishing the dining area. It has a stylish design and a pleasant glossy shine. Will highlight any interior style. The advantages of use include special strength, a smooth surface without a relief pattern.
The disadvantage is the high cost. Before carrying out repair work, you will need to carefully calculate consumables to avoid unnecessary financial expenses.
Apron design
The kitchen work area is an apron. Its finish should not only be functional, so that it is easy to wash away grease and soot, but also beautiful. Designers offer many solutions: bright tiles, a different installation method, a non-standard shape. Photo tiles are gaining popularity; they can be ordered in an online store or on the seller’s website. You should work with such material very carefully, since all tiles come in one copy.
Marking
Having decided on the materials and adhesive mixtures, you can begin marking the room. But first you need to determine how to lay floor tiles in order to accurately calculate the required quantity.
The easiest option is to first draw everything on a piece of paper. It is best to use a computer layout program. Now there are many of them.
After purchase, it is recommended to lay at least part of the tiles “dry” on the floor and visually look at the result. You may need to adjust (move in one direction or another) the location.
Important! The tile is highly durable, but at the same time fragile. Therefore, it is recommended to buy it with a margin of 10-15%.
