Are you a complete beginner to kitchen tiles and know nothing? Well, you’ve come to the right place because this is a complete beginner’s guide to kitchen tiles.
Everything you need to know about kitchen tiles is in this post, even a 9 year old can understand what’s being said in this post.
Table of Contents
What are kitchen wall tiles and what are they used for?
Kitchen wall tiles are manufactured or natural materials that are cut and layered onto kitchen walls. They add personality and style to kitchens, and they help protect walls from splashback and spillage. Modern technology allows for new, natural designs on cheaper manufactured surfaces.
Kitchen wall tiles add personality, looks, and protect the work areas of your kitchen. Kitchen wall tiles are simple and practical, too. They can add versatility and style and their durability can help protect working areas, such as protecting against splashback around your hobs while cooking and around your sink when washing.
Kitchen wall tiles aid in the look and feel of your kitchen, adding style and personality and can add emphasis to certain areas of the kitchen. There are kitchen wall tiles suited for more modern as well as more natural and more classic tastes.
Plus, there are new styles and tiles with digital effects, so you can have natural wood or stone effects without the wear that these natural surfaces would normally require.
Do Kitchen Tiles Need Underlay?
Are Kitchen Tiles Old Fashioned?
Can I Use Kitchen Tiles Outside?
Can You Use Large Tiles for Kitchen Backsplash?
Types of kitchen wall tiles
There are two types of kitchen wall tiles: manufactured and natural. Some manufactured, or manmade, kitchen wall tiles include ceramic and porcelain tiles, and are more cost-effective. Natural, or natural stone, tiles include denser, more expensive materials such as marble and granite.
There are many different types of kitchen wall tiles, which can be divided into two categories: manufactured tiles and natural stone tiles.
Manufactured tiles include ceramic and porcelain, and natural stone tiles include granite and marble, all of which are popular choices. We will speak about all of these and more here.
Manufactured, or manmade tiles, are the cheaper option and are easy to look after. Natural stone tiles are more expensive, given that they give a natural beauty and style the manufactured options can’t give. They can also take more maintenance to look after.
Ceramic
Ceramics have been around for thousands of years and are as popular as ever. Ceramic tiles are a fantastic and popular style of kitchen wall tile that is cost-effective, reasonably durable, and easy to clean. Ceramic kitchen wall tiles are great at protecting against splashback and their glaze gives a nice shine that many people find particularly decorative.
Also, ceramic tiles are smaller and are easier to cut and shape than some other tiles, making them a DIY job almost anyone can do.
Are Kitchen Tiles Heat Resistant?
Porcelain
Porcelain kitchen tiles are made from finer clays and are produced using higher temperatures than some other kitchen tiles, making them tough and durable. Also, they’re nearly waterproof, making them a safe bet to use in the kitchen. They come in glazed or unglazed to fit anyone’s aesthetic preferences, too.
Glazed porcelain tiles have become increasingly popular. One of the main reasons for this is that it’s now possible to digitally print different patterns onto glazed porcelain tiles. You could digitally print a wood effect, for example. And glazed porcelain tiles are resistant to water, stains, wear and tear.
Unglazed porcelain, also sometimes referred to as full-bodied porcelain, is made of natural clays where one colour will run through. They are tough and resistant to abrasion. Because of these reasons, they’re a popular choice to use in busy environments such as restaurants and bars.
Mosaics
Mosaics have been around since the times of the Ancient Greeks, and are still popular today. The look and patterns of mosaic tiles can be incredibly creative and attractive. Mosaic refers to the pattern and the aesthetic rather than the material. They are very small tiles that can help to break up spaces and create zones in your kitchen.
Mosaics can be applied onto almost any material, but usually come on glass, metal, and stone tiles.
Encaustic Tiles
Encaustic tiles are ceramic tiles where the patterns are made of different colours of clay, rather than being printed on, which is usually two but can be more. Because the patterns and designs are inlaid in this way, they remain as the tiles age and degrade, which makes these types of tiles unique and are generally on the more expensive side to produce.
These types of kitchen tiles are most closely linked to the mediaeval period in Europe and suit kitchens with a more classic or older feel.
Cement Tiles
Cement tiles are a late introduction in terms of the history of tiling. They are not fired, and so come unglazed. They are durable and cost-effective, and easier than some other types of tiles to manufacture, too. These types of tiles suit simple, matte designs.
Natural Stone Tiles
Natural stone tiles add value to your kitchen and home with their natural beauty and durability. There are many varieties of natural stone tiles, and they can be used for either wall tiles or floor tiles. Natural stone tiles include granite, marble, limestone, travertine, and slate.
Granite is one of the strongest and most durable materials in the world, whereas limestone is a softer material, which means it’s best not used in high-traffic areas. Also, natural stone tiles are porous, which means that you will have to use sealant to make them resistant to water and stones.
Terracotta Tiles
Terracotta tiles, or baked earth tiles, are manufactured tiles that are popular for their distinctive reddish-brown colour. They’re made of raw clay that has been fired to make them strong and durable. Terracotta tiles are primarily used as floor tiles in kitchens but can be used on the walls, too.
The earthy look of these tiles adds a natural and strong appeal to a home. These types of tiles are porous and require regular cleaning, particularly if used as flooring in your kitchen.
What should I look for in kitchen wall tiles?
When looking at kitchen tiles, consider material, style, functionality, durability, and cost. Choose kitchen tiles within your budget that suit your stylistic taste. You’ll want to consider where you’ll place your kitchen tiles and how the material and style will match the rest of your kitchen.
There’s such a diverse range of kitchen tiles and with huge variations in toughness, durability, and look appeal, choosing the right kitchen wall tiles can take considerable time and effort. But, we’re going to make knowing what to look for in kitchen wall tiles easier for you.
Choosing kitchen tiles is usually a one-time investment, so it’s worth doing the research and taking the time to get it right. What to look for in kitchen wall tiles will come down to a few main aspects. Your style and taste, the functionality and how many people will use your kitchen, and the durability and cost will all come into play.
Since you will likely be cooking and doing washing in your kitchen, it’s important to consider tiles that are good at protecting against splashback, as well as being easy to clean when it does happen.
Glazed tiles are particularly popular and a great choice for these reasons. If the look and feel of your kitchen are of primary importance, you may wish to trade the ease of cleaning that glazed tiles offer and choose a natural stone tile, such as marble.
The look, feel, and character that kitchen tiles can give to your kitchen will be of great importance to most people. Natural stone tiles such as granite and marble are popular choices for their aesthetic and luxury qualities.
But, manufactured kitchen tiles are becoming increasingly popular, especially because technology allows for printing natural designs digitally onto manufactured kitchen tiles. You can get wood and stone effects, for example, onto manufactured kitchen tiles, while getting durability and cost-effectiveness.
Your overall budget will be the ultimate determining factor in what you will be looking at for choosing your kitchen tiles. Generally speaking, manufactured tiles are more cost-effective than natural stone tiles.
But, some natural kitchen tiles such as cement tiles may also be well within most people’s budgets. Marble and slate, on the other hand, will be more on the expensive end.
How do I choose the kitchen tile colour?
You should choose kitchen tile colours that match your taste and the style of your kitchen. If your kitchen and taste are of a modern style, choose more neutral tiles. If your style is more natural, choose earthy colours. Classic and artsy styles should use brighter colours.
Choosing the kitchen tile colour is entirely down to personal style and taste. But, it’s important to consider the look and style of the entire kitchen so that the kitchen wall tiles you choose match in colour scheme, style, and aesthetic.
If you want a modern look to your kitchen, and your appliances are modern and mostly black and silver, then you would do better with neutral colours and a more luxurious appeal. Marble, granite, and slate are good choices here.
If you style your kitchen and home more naturally, with plenty of woods and natural materials and fabrics, you should do well to go for more kitchen tile colours that match. For a natural, earthy appeal, consider terracotta wall tiles for their deep reddish-brown colour, or limestone, for example.
If you want a more artistic look and feel and like brighter colours, mosaics can be a fantastic choice, especially considering there are so many designs and patterns. When considering any colour for your kitchen wall tiles, it’s also important to consider whether you want them glazed or unglazed, which will change the colour dynamic of your kitchen wall tiles.
Glazed kitchen wall tiles give a shimmer that’s often better suited for more modern-looking kitchens. Unglazed are matte and go better with neutral colours for a more natural look.
Material
Manufactured kitchen tiles are generally made of mixtures of glass and clay. Ceramic kitchen tiles, for example, come glazed, giving a shimmer that is easy to print designs on. Terracotta tiles, on the other hand, are manufactured tiles made of raw clay that are unglazed and are thick and durable.
Natural stone kitchen tiles such as marble, granite, and slate, give natural beauty and add value to your kitchen and home because they’re more sought-after. Because they’re natural, they include more irregularities in their patterns, aiding in their appeal.
Cost
As we’ve touched upon already, manufactured tiles are cheaper and more cost-effective than natural tiles. With many manufactured tiles, you’ll also get the option of glazed or unglazed, with unglazed being cheaper.
This makes your money go further. Natural stone tiles are more expensive because they’re natural materials that are generally extremely strong and durable and long-lasting.
How to clean kitchen tiles
Kitchen tiles can be easily cleaned with a suitable cleaner and warm water. The specific material of your kitchen tiles is important as not all cleaners are suited for all types. Natural stone tiles are porous, and harsh cleaners can damage them. Glazed manufactured tiles can handle more cleaners.
Whether you choose manufactured or natural stone kitchen tiles, regular cleaning and maintenance are important. You will most often be cleaning your kitchen tiles because of splashback around the hobs during cooking and water and soap from washing around the sink.
Cleaning kitchen tiles is generally a simple process of using a cleaner, a gentle enough cloth, and water. But, the types of cleaners you can use will depend on the type of kitchen tiles you use.
Many manufactured tiles such as ceramic tiles are very durable and can tolerate many different kitchen surface cleaners. And if they’re glazed, they will be more resistant to stains. Natural stone tiles, however, are porous, and so stains and debris can more easily damage or deteriorate them.
With natural stone kitchen tiles, cleaning and maintenance are extra important to maintain the beauty and protect the investment put into them.
What sizes do kitchen tiles come in?
Kitchen tiles sizes start as small as 1 inch by 1-inch mosaics to 12 inches by 24 inches. The size of the kitchen tiles will depend on the material and cut. Mosaic kitchen tiles are very small and square, while classic subway style kitchen tiles are rectangular.
There are many different sizes of kitchen tiles which will be larger or smaller depending on the material used, and whether they’ll be used on the walls or the floor.
Mosaic kitchen tiles are the smallest. They’re typically 1 inch by 1 inch or 2 inches by 2 inches and are typically arranged in twelve rows by twelve columns. The classic subway style of kitchen tiles is a popular option.
This style consists of kitchen tiles that are 3 inches by 6 inches, giving diversity in the size and shape and pattern. Both these sizes of kitchen tiles will be usually used as wall tiles.
Floor tiles are larger. Kitchen tiles for the floor start at 12 inches by 12 inches. Because they’re large and square, they’re a favourite of people who wish to fit their floor tiles themselves. And there are 12 inches by 24 inches kitchen tiles, which are generally used for very large walls and long and wide floor surfaces.
Can I paint kitchen tiles?
You can paint kitchen tiles to freshen up or retouch your kitchen tiles without having to replace them entirely. Kitchen tiles will lose their lustre over time, and painting them can save you time and money. Use high-quality latex, oil, or epoxy paint so that it’ll sit well on your kitchen tiles.
The lustre your kitchen tiles once had will inevitably dwindle with time. Painting kitchen tiles are a great, cost-effective way to refresh your kitchen tiles if you don’t want to go through the long and costly solution of replacing the tiles.
You will want to use high-quality latex, oil, or epoxy paint that will sit on the surface of your tiles. We recommend doing the research and buying from a reputable retailer. Epoxy is generally the best for kitchen tiles, especially ceramic.
How much do kitchen tiles cost?
The cost of kitchen tiles can range from as cheap as £2-3 per square foot to £25 and over. The material and the size of the cut will be the biggest factors, as well as the supplier. Ceramic tiles are the cheapest, while natural stone tiles such as marble are far more expensive.
The cost of kitchen tiles depends on the complexity of the job, the size of the tiles, and the material being used. Ceramic tiles are the cheapest, generally starting at as little as £2-3 per square foot. Porcelain tiles usually cost between £2 to £8 per square foot.
Natural stone tiles, such as marble, slate, or granite, are going to cost a good deal more. On average, per square foot, natural stone kitchen tiles will begin around £5-7 and can be as high as £25 per square foot or higher from leading designers.
How do I install kitchen wall tiles?
You can install kitchen wall tiles following several steps. You will first need to work out the space and calculate the number of tiles required. Then, you’ll prepare the area. Next, you will apply adhesive and fit the tiles using a spirit level so that they’re straight and sit well.
Installing kitchen wall tiles is a complex job and will differ slightly depending on the types of tiles used and the space and size of the job. And there are several steps to take in preparation and for proper installation, that’ll look good and last for years to come.
You can install them yourself or you can have a professional do them for you. If you have a professional install them for you, consider the cost.
First, you’ll need to calculate the number of tiles required through the space of the wall you’ll be installing them onto. To do this, you’ll need to measure the number of square metres on your wall space where the tiles will go. To get this, measure the height and width and times them together.
Add 10%, allowing the extra space for breakages, cuts, and wastage. From this measurement, an expert will be able to give you advice on the number of tiles you’ll need. Or, you can use a tile calculator.
Then, you will need to prepare the surface for installation. You will use either a paste or plasterboard for the tiles to be surfaced upon them and installed. All surfaces must be allowed to fully dry before installing the tiles.
Whenever possible, remove all furniture, basins, appliances, etc., surrounding the area where you’ll be installing the kitchen wall tiles. This allows for a safer and more secure environment, as well as makes the job easier. The next step is the installation process itself.
We recommend choosing a central focal point from where the tiles will be laid. Doing this allows for a pattern to be centralised, which will mean you end up with a neat and calibrated design. From here, you can begin to nail into the wall where the tiles will fall. You’ll use a spirit level to make sure each line where the tiles will fall is straight.
To cut straight tiles for proper fitting. A manual cutter is best for straight lines while an electric cutter is better for curved lines, angles, and thicker tiles such as stone and porcelain. Next, you’ll need to apply an adhesive for the tiles to sit and dry upon.
Choose an adhesive specifically designed for your types of tiles and buy from a reputable seller. Once the tiles have been measured, lined, and installed onto the adhesive, you must grout them to protect them from moisture.
