5 Kitchen Floor Tiles That Rule the Roost
A quick guide to durable and practical floor tiles that look good and match any lifestyle
It is said that the kitchen is the heart of every home and rightly so. If you’re redoing your home, remember that by simply picking the right floor tiles for the kitchen, you can significantly influence the look of the space. However, making the correct choices requires a bit of thought and consideration – tiles that are chosen for the walls may not always be the right choice for the floor. Here are five kinds you should know about.
You can easily lose your heart to the glazed porcelain tiles that are available in a wide range of colours and styles. From floral or chequered to herringbone or even 3D patterns, you can be truly spoilt for choice. Some tiles are also available in a natural stone look – a cheaper alternative to authentic stone flooring. These tiles come with a protective layer of glass, which makes them smooth and stain-proof.
Pros: They are easy to clean, look as good as new for years, do not demand high maintenance and are even fire retardant.
Cons: Since the tiles are high in density and heavy, they take longer to install than other tiles. Although resistant to bacterial attack, their grouting gets discoloured if not properly maintained.
Tip: Save a box or two of the original tiles for colour-matched replacements in the future.
Pros: They are easy to clean, look as good as new for years, do not demand high maintenance and are even fire retardant.
Cons: Since the tiles are high in density and heavy, they take longer to install than other tiles. Although resistant to bacterial attack, their grouting gets discoloured if not properly maintained.
Tip: Save a box or two of the original tiles for colour-matched replacements in the future.
2. Ceramic
Durability and resistance to dust and germs are the two winning qualities hygiene-conscious home owners look for. If you want to renovate your cook room on a tight budget, then ceramic is the way to go. From a red curry spill to a butcher’s knife falling on its tip, the tile won’t get stained or chipped. These beauties are also proof against the ill effects of humidity such as mildew attacks. A perfect choice for most Indian homes? We think so!
Durability and resistance to dust and germs are the two winning qualities hygiene-conscious home owners look for. If you want to renovate your cook room on a tight budget, then ceramic is the way to go. From a red curry spill to a butcher’s knife falling on its tip, the tile won’t get stained or chipped. These beauties are also proof against the ill effects of humidity such as mildew attacks. A perfect choice for most Indian homes? We think so!
These solid ceramic tiles are available in pretty patterns, accents and eye-catching motifs. They can effortlessly metamorphose the look of a monotonous kitchen.
Tip: You can even opt for tiles that are laser-cut into different shapes like triangles, rectangles and circles, to move away from a coordinated look in the kitchen.
Pros: The tiles are colour-fast and very durable – the surviving portions of mosaic ceramic tile floors of ancient Rome look as fresh as ever. These tiles can be easily made to fit into any size of room. Ceramics are environmentally friendly.
Cons: You can literally get cold feet while walking or standing on these during winter. Also, as this surface is extremely hard, you may feel uncomfortable standing on it for extended periods.
Tip: You can even opt for tiles that are laser-cut into different shapes like triangles, rectangles and circles, to move away from a coordinated look in the kitchen.
Pros: The tiles are colour-fast and very durable – the surviving portions of mosaic ceramic tile floors of ancient Rome look as fresh as ever. These tiles can be easily made to fit into any size of room. Ceramics are environmentally friendly.
Cons: You can literally get cold feet while walking or standing on these during winter. Also, as this surface is extremely hard, you may feel uncomfortable standing on it for extended periods.
3. Terracotta
Terracotta, which means ‘baked earth’ is made by compressing and baking unglazed clay and has an unmatched appeal that can immediately transform the kitchen work-space into an Indian or a Mediterranean sanctuary of quiet sophistication. For tiles that look this rich, it’s a relief they aren’t difficult to maintain. Say goodbye to mould and bacterial attack – properly sealed terracotta tiles will have none of that!
Terracotta, which means ‘baked earth’ is made by compressing and baking unglazed clay and has an unmatched appeal that can immediately transform the kitchen work-space into an Indian or a Mediterranean sanctuary of quiet sophistication. For tiles that look this rich, it’s a relief they aren’t difficult to maintain. Say goodbye to mould and bacterial attack – properly sealed terracotta tiles will have none of that!
These tiles offer themselves as a muse for those who love designing their own spaces. When layered inside a neutral, all-white space like this, Terracotta can create a mesmerising contrast. Great for indoors, these tiles hold up well against moisture and high-impact falls.
Pros: They offer more insulation than other tiles and can keep a home nice and snug. Terracotta is softer to walk on, is anti-skid and also resistant to fungus, pathogens and stains, if properly sealed.
Cons: The hand-made terracotta tiles are unique in their own way. No two are exactly the same size. This can be an issue while laying the kitchen floor if you want a uniform appearance. They also need to be professionally sealed during installation to give the advantages of durability, resistance to mould, etc.
Pros: They offer more insulation than other tiles and can keep a home nice and snug. Terracotta is softer to walk on, is anti-skid and also resistant to fungus, pathogens and stains, if properly sealed.
Cons: The hand-made terracotta tiles are unique in their own way. No two are exactly the same size. This can be an issue while laying the kitchen floor if you want a uniform appearance. They also need to be professionally sealed during installation to give the advantages of durability, resistance to mould, etc.
4. Natural stone
These tiles will remind you of traditional ancestral homes, far away from the city; they somehow evoke a sense of nostalgia.
Each slab has a different colour, texture and pattern, so when put together, they create visual depth that isn’t easy to replicate with any other material. Be it marble, slate or granite, stone tiles have the unique ability to make a kitchen look elegant and timeless. Who wouldn’t be up for creating an indoor experience that can be cherished for generations to come?
These tiles will remind you of traditional ancestral homes, far away from the city; they somehow evoke a sense of nostalgia.
Each slab has a different colour, texture and pattern, so when put together, they create visual depth that isn’t easy to replicate with any other material. Be it marble, slate or granite, stone tiles have the unique ability to make a kitchen look elegant and timeless. Who wouldn’t be up for creating an indoor experience that can be cherished for generations to come?
You really can’t go wrong with natural stone. If you own an ancestral bungalow or a holiday home up in the hills, choose this flooring that can make the kitchen look upscale but also cosy. These tiles can be used for the outdoors as well as the indoors and can provide a seamless experience when both spaces are merged.
Pros: Made of natural materials, these usually remain cool, making sultry summers more bearable underfoot. These tiles also require very little daily maintenance.
Cons: Although available in umpteen colours, the variety in patterns and designs is limited. Also, natural stone tiles are more expensive than others.
Pros: Made of natural materials, these usually remain cool, making sultry summers more bearable underfoot. These tiles also require very little daily maintenance.
Cons: Although available in umpteen colours, the variety in patterns and designs is limited. Also, natural stone tiles are more expensive than others.
5. Wood
These treated-wood tiles can resist the changes in heat and humidity that most kitchens suffer. And you don’t have to worry about this flooring going out of fashion – even a plain wood floor has the ability to lift a space and inject a dose of design into it! Its charm is undeniable; who doesn’t like the touch, feel and look of wood?
These treated-wood tiles can resist the changes in heat and humidity that most kitchens suffer. And you don’t have to worry about this flooring going out of fashion – even a plain wood floor has the ability to lift a space and inject a dose of design into it! Its charm is undeniable; who doesn’t like the touch, feel and look of wood?
Wooden flooring gives a clean, smart look to any space.
Pros: You can update your kitchen in a jiffy, just repolish the floor! Wooden floors are available in several textures, plank sizes and timbers to help you create your dream kitchen.
Cons: A muddy paw print or your child’s careless water-colour paint spill will need to be wiped immediately. Regular maintenance and thorough cleaning is needed to help the floor live a long life.
Read More on kitchens:
10 Indian Kitchens on Houzz That Evoke Envy
10 Unique Options for Your Floors
Tell us:
What floor tiles do you have in your kitchen? Share your pictures in Comments below.
Pros: You can update your kitchen in a jiffy, just repolish the floor! Wooden floors are available in several textures, plank sizes and timbers to help you create your dream kitchen.
Cons: A muddy paw print or your child’s careless water-colour paint spill will need to be wiped immediately. Regular maintenance and thorough cleaning is needed to help the floor live a long life.
Read More on kitchens:
10 Indian Kitchens on Houzz That Evoke Envy
10 Unique Options for Your Floors
Tell us:
What floor tiles do you have in your kitchen? Share your pictures in Comments below.
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It’s any homeowner’s dream – flooring that can withstand heavy usage, last long and look good. Porcelain tiles are suited for both indoor and outdoor use and are easy to maintain and clean. Once this flooring is installed, there is rarely any need to redo it.