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Kitchen tile has so much potential to be both beautiful and functional. From mosaic glass to marble, you have a wide variety of styles and materials to choose from. Here are some common kitchen floor tiles, plus the pros and cons of each material: 

1. Ceramic Tile

Ceramic tile is a classic, timeless choice. Cultures have been using ceramic for thousands of years in decorative and functional pieces. Considering it’s been popular for that long, it’s clearly a great material. If you seal ceramic tiles, it will keep microbes and moisture from soaking deep into the stone. That means germs and debris stay on the surface, making it easy to clean. If you have pets and children, ceramic is a good choice because of these hygienic benefits. Additionally, ceramic is crack resistant. 

Sadly, because ceramic is a hard material, it’s tough on your body. You may find your feet, joints, and back ache after standing on ceramic for too long. Thankfully, you can alleviate this problem by using padded mats in areas where you stand for long periods. 

2. Limestone Tile 

Limestone tile is a beautiful and unique choice for floor tile. This tile comes in a wide variety of colors and patterns, and it pairs well with wooden accents and furniture. If you’re looking for a natural stone that adds character and depth to your kitchen, limestone is a great choice.

Unfortunately, limestone does require regular resealing. You should reseal this tile every three to five years. It’s a more high-maintenance material and sustains damage easily. Even daily tasks like vacuuming and sweeping may scrape the floor. Also, keep in mind natural stone costs run high. Limestone costs up to $10 per square foot

3. Travertine Tile 

Travertine tile is both durable and attractive. It’s also very versatile. You can get this tile finished to look rustic or new, depending on your preference.

While travertine tile is a great choice for your kitchen floor, it does have several drawbacks. Travertine tile stains easily because it is a porous material. That means it absorbs any liquid if you don’t clean it up right away. Additionally, if exposed to acidic substances like coffee, wine, or tomato, a chemical reaction will cause wear and tear on the stone. Bleach and ammonia cause this chemical reaction as well, so it’s best to use stone cleaner when maintaining travertine floors. It’s not hard to maintain travertine if you sweep and mop every week, but you must be faithful to clean it or it won’t last. 

4. Porcelain Tile

Porcelain tile comes in a wide variety of styles. It doesn’t stain, and it’s one of the most durable types of tile. You can expect your porcelain tiles to last up to several decades. Maintenance requirements are low, so if you don’t want to do much upkeep, porcelain is a great choice for kitchen tile. 

On the other hand, porcelain tile weighs a lot and is hard to install. If you’re looking for an easy DIY tile, porcelain isn’t the best choice. Installation costs also make porcelain tiles a more expensive flooring option. Finally, porcelain tiles are brittle, meaning they will crack if you drop something heavy on them. 

5. Slate Tile

Slate tile is one of the toughest natural materials, meaning it’s difficult to chip or crack. Its durability is exceeded only by its beauty. Slate looks attractive in any space, and it adds resale value to your home. Plus, this tile lasts for decades if cared for correctly. 

Though tough, slate does stain. It needs regular resealing to keep it looking beautiful. Also, slate may cost up to $48 dollars per square foot, making it a more costly kitchen tile choice. 

6. Granite Tile

Granite tile is strong, stain-resistant, and hypoallergenic. Microbes, allergens, and liquid cannot penetrate granite, making it a hygienic and easy-to-maintain option. Because of its cleanability and low maintenance requirements, granite works well in places where you eat and cook.

There are a couple of problems with granite tile as well. Granite is a heavy material. Because of its weight, not all floors can handle the installation. You’ll need professional help to determine whether your floor will hold up under granite. Also, granite tile—like travertine—will react to acidic food and drink spills. 

A homeowner wearing yellow sneakers cleans her kitchen tile

7. Marble Tile 

Marble tile is undeniably beautiful. When polished, it glistens and gleams, making any space where it’s installed look more sophisticated and elegant. This tile comes in multiple colors and patterns, so it’s easy to find a choice that goes with the rest of your home.

Unfortunately, marble costs a lot of money (up to $20 per square foot), and it’s hard to maintain. Without regular resealing and cleaning, it will scratch and stain. Additionally, polished marble gets slippery. If you plan to polish it, be aware it may cause accidents in a high-traffic area like the kitchen. 

8. Quartzite Tile 

Quartzite tiles require little upkeep, and the material is extremely strong. Occasional cleaning is all you’ll need to do if you choose this material for your kitchen tile. Like many natural stones, quartzite comes in multiple colors and patterns, making this a great option if you want variety.

Quartzite does get slippery. It won’t absorb any liquids, which means that while it won’t hold germs and moisture (a positive), it may cause standing puddles. However, if you clean up spills right away, quartzite’s tendency toward slipperiness shouldn’t be a problem. 

9. Mosaic Glass Tile 

Mosaic glass tiles are elegant and classy. There is virtually no limit to color and pattern choices. Glass tile brightens up any room, as it reflects light. It’s also a low-maintenance material. It doesn’t absorb liquid or microbes, meaning you only need to sweep and mop occasionally to keep the floor clean. And did we mention how beautiful mosaic glass tiles are? 

While we love glass tiles, they aren’t without their flaws. Because of its growing popularity, glass tile is costly (up to $30 per square foot). Additionally, glass floors may get scratched and cracked. Glass is durable, but if something heavy falls on it, it’s bound to fracture. 

10. Sandstone Tile

Sandstone tile creates a refreshing, beachy vibe in your kitchen. It’s lovely, strong, and eco-friendly. Sandstone lasts for several decades with proper care, and it’s softer than granite and ceramic, making it less hard on your joints. (You still may need padded mats around the kitchen if you have sensitive joints.) For all these reasons, sandstone can be a great choice for kitchen tile. 

Two things to note are that sandstone scratches easily, and it does absorb moisture. That means sandstone may encourage the growth of mildew and microbes. That being said, if you seal it, you shouldn’t have this issue. 

11. Pebble Tile 

Want to feel like you’re walking along a riverside, the water splashing peacefully against the shore? Pebble tile might give you that aesthetic. While normally used for bathroom floors, pebble tile can loan a pleasing, natural look to your kitchen. This tile has DIY potential, as it isn’t difficult to install, and the bumpy surface feels pleasant beneath your feet if you install the right stones. Not only will you feel like you’re near a gently running river with pebble tile, but you’ll also get a nice massage while walking through your kitchen. 

Despite the benefits of this unique option, pebble tile is difficult to maintain. You’ll need to reseal the stones and redo the grout often. Pebble tile can also cause water retention because of the uneven surface. Keeping your floor dry is important if you choose this for your kitchen tile. 

We Can Help You Choose the Right Kitchen Tile! 

Overwhelmed by the options? That’s okay! Our professionals at DreamHome Remodeling & Builders can help you choose the right tile and ensure the installation process goes smoothly. Contact us today for assistance! 

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