There are two most important things that you should keep in mind while choosing wall tiles for the kitchen. The first thing is practical, related to the quality of wall tile that will be the best fit for your kitchen. Other is emotional ‘do you like the way your kitchen looks’. I think it’s equally important, you may have installed the most durable tile ever known but it gives you a grotesque feeling when you enter your kitchen. It will not be worth it. If you are confused about choosing the right kitchen wall tiles This is the ultimate guide on, How to Choose Kitchen Wall Tiles.
This is the Ultimate guide for those who are confused about choosing the right wall tiles for your kitchen. We will cover all possible things; from choosing the best quality wall tile in your budget range to choosing the best style that will blend your personality.
Different Types of Kitchen Wall Tiles with Their Pros and Cons.
There are many options available for kitchen wall tiles. These many options may confuse us. We may start looking for perfect wall tiles for the kitchen on the web or we may contact an experienced tile installer. Still, we don’t get the answer to what we really want.
Here is a list of all types of tiles that are used for kitchen walls. Each tile has its own advantages and disadvantages, which are mentioned below. After going through the list you will have a pretty good idea about which tiles will be best for your kitchen.
Glass or Glossy Tiles
There are different types of glass tiles. They are differentiated based on the process of manufacturing. The glossy wall tiles are generally made with added metallic stabilizers to make them more durable and stress resistant. Glass comes in a wide array of styles like Glossy, subway, and mosaic.
Pros of Glass Tiles:
- Less Porous – Due to lower porosity glass tiles are impervious to moisture and water.
- Lowest Friction Among All Tiles – Glass tiles are smooth and can be cleaned with just one wipe of a wet cloth. No need to spend money on cleaning agents.
- Frostproof – Let’s keep it simple, Water expands when it freezes. If a tile absorbs water during cold it can expand inside tiles and tiles may form cracks. This doesn’t happen with glass tiles as they are frostproof.
- As it is Glass, it comes in different colors and designs including different Kitchen wall tiles design, floor tiles designs, and bathroom tiles designs.
Cons of Glass Tiles
- Expensive – They can be the most aesthetic to look at but, they can ‘break your bank’. Glass tiles are one of the most expensive tiles. And the price goes up with more sophistication in design.
- Low Durability – There are processes like layering or adding stabilizers that make glass tiles more durable. But it is glass and its crack threshold is one of the lowest
- Requires professional – Glass tiles are mostly translucent or transparent, due to this it requires professionals to get them installed. If not done by a professional it may show tile bonding material or adhesive and it may reduce its appealing look.
- Vulnerable to heat shock – Glass tiles can be damaged from heat shock and form cracks. Exposing it to high temperatures may shatter the tile.
Miscellaneous
- High Refractive Index – This property of glass tiles makes it one of most aesthetically appealing to look at but the same property reflects heat and can make it scorching hot especially in summer.
Marble Tiles
When limestone goes through high heat and pressure it becomes marble. It is further processed to make it useful for kitchen wall tiling, kitchen floor tiling flooring, and bathroom accordingly. Marble is also available in the subway and Moroccan designs tiles.
Pros of Marble
- Luxury Tile Material – The number one benefit of the marble tile is its elegant look. It is on the High end when it comes to beauty. Marble offers a wide variety of designs from minimalistic white to rare multi-colored tiles and sophisticated veining that is unique and found only in marble tiles.
- Heat Resistant – Marble tiles have High heat resistance. This makes marble appropriate for the kitchen wall.
Cons of Marble
- Porous – Marble is a fairly porous stone that absorbs substances like water and oil. Its needs to be cleaned with the surface cleaning agent
- Reacts with Acid – Due to its origins from limestone it can react with acid and causes the problem of discoloration.
- Expensive – Marble is the most expensive. Calacatta is the most expensive type processed in Italy.
Ceramic Tiles
Ceramic tiles are the most popular tiles as they are easier to carry, cheap, and available in a wide variety of colors and designs. Due to its flexibility, it can be easily modified into rustic, matte, subway, hexagonal, etc. Even your contractor will most likely recommend you ceramic tile, don’t get deluded and choose what is right for you.
Pros of Ceramic
- Less Expensive – Ceramic tiles are fairly affordable and can be installed easily
- Easier to Carry – Ceramic tiles are light which makes them easier to carry
- Comes In a Wide Variety of Colors – Ceramic tiles are made from a clay mixture that comes in a wide variety of colors and designs.
- Germ Resistant – Ceramic tiles do not hold air, pollen, or allergens that make them germ resistant, but it does absorb water due to porosity.
Cons of ceramic
- Absorbs Water – Ceramic tiles have high porosity. Some ceramic tile porosity goes as high as 20%.
- Less Sturdy – Ceramic tiles are not very hard due to their porosity, which makes them susceptible to cracks.
Porcelain Tiles
Porcelain tiles are similar to ceramic tiles. The major difference lies in the way it is manufactured. Porcelain tiles are made from finer and more refined clay. It makes it less porous and increases its hardness. Designs get a little constrained compared to regular ceramic still, it’s available in quite trendy, and satisfactory designs like subway, and Moroccan designs.
Pros of Porcelain Tiles
- Sturdy – Refines clay to make porcelain tiles hard and brittle.
- Non-porous – The use of dense clay and feldspar makes porcelain less porous
- Low water absorption – Water absorption of porcelain tile is less than 0.5%
Cons of porcelain Tiles
- Expensive – The use of refined clay during manufacturing makes porcelain tiles expensive.
- Heavy – Dense clay makes porcelain tiles heavy and difficult to install.
- Available in fewer colors than ceramic tiles.
Vitrified
Vitrified tile is a type of ceramic tile. It is made with the process of the hydraulic press also called the process of vitrification.
Pros of Vitrified
- Durable – Vitrified tiles are exposed to high temperatures during vitrification which makes them hard and strong.
- Non-Porous – A mixture of dense clay and silica makes tiles non-porous.
- Easy to Clean – Glossy texture of vitrified makes them easier to clean.
- Stain and scratch resistance – Hard nature and smooth surface make the tile resistant to stain and scratch.
Cons of Vitrified
- Difficult to Install (Requires Expert) – Vitrified tiles require expert handling. If not professionally installed it may come from joints
- Not Environment Friendly – The process of manufacturing vitrified tiles emits a huge amount of CO2
How to Choose the Best Kitchen Tile for Your Kitchen.
After going through the above list you will have a good idea about various tiles and their characteristics available in the market. Some of you may also have selected your kitchen tile. But still, it will be difficult for those who have nothing to do with the kitchen. Don’t worry we will guide you on what you should look for when buying kitchen wall tiles.
Below is a list of the things that you keep in mind while selecting your kitchen wall tiles.
- Stain Resistance – The kitchen area is very prone to incidents like spilling and tiles may get dirty. For this reason, kitchen walls should have low-friction tiles, so they can be cleaned easily.
- Sturdiness – As the kitchen is high traffic area and is susceptible to accidents. Not only the flooring and platform but backsplash also should be durable.
- Heat resistance – while making food the hot droplets or sometimes splashes may fall on kitchen walls. That makes it very important for the wall tile to be heat resistant.
- Elegant look – last but not least, it is last on the list as it is a highly subjective thing. What looks good to me may not satisfy you. Ceramic, Glass, and marble come with a wide variety of designs and colors.
Which Are the Most Common Durable Kitchen Tiles?
If you are on a tight budget and you want your tile to check all points on the above list then you should go for ‘Porcelain tiles’.
If you can spend more, then you can go for ‘polished marble’. You can choose polished marbles which make them somewhat resistant to fluid but don’t make them foolproof. You still need to take great care of them. Be careful that you don’t drop fluids, especially oily substances; clean them immediately with surface agents.
Choosing the Right Adhesive
Each category of tile (ceramic, glass, stone) has its own adhesive (substance with is applied on edges of tiles so tile can stay glued together) that should be used accordingly, according to the porosity of the tile that should be applied accordingly. Make sure your tile installer is applying the right adhesive. Learn more about different adhesives here.
The Latest Trends for Kitchen Wall Tiles in 2023
We all want to be with the trend, but trend comes and goes, and these days this happens quite frequently. At the same, we want our design to remain evergreen.
Here is the list of the latest kitchen tiles design that will probably remain evergreen.
- Play of Black and White – We don’t see these colors on the color wheel, they are the most contrasting colors and they are always on trend and their trend never fade away. There is a huge variety of patterns and designs available.
- Tiles with Food Items – The kitchen is for making food and this is not going to change ever. That’s why the concept of printing food items on items makes them new, and trendy and it will likely remain trendy.
- Tiles with Contemporary Art – Printing of modern art in tile is a new concept. They are modular kitchen wall tiles, Make sure you get them properly installed single missing tile can ruin the look.
- Hexagonal or Honeycomb Tiles – Its simply hexagonal tiles, with different colorations and patterns, it looks quite appealing and is the latest in Kitchen wall tiles design.
- Florals Designs – There are millions of leaves and flowers. These can be printed on tiles, this design is most appealing to look at.
- Quartz Designs – This is a minimalist design, mainly consisting of black and white colors separately or mixed.
Ending Statement
At this moment I think you have selected the tile that will be installed in the heart of the home. If you have really gone through the whole thing, you may have got your answer to ‘how to choose kitchen wall tiles. you may also have gained hefty knowledge of tiles that will be useful in the future when you will be thinking of reinstalling tiles in your porch, bedroom, living room, or bathroom.
If you want to buy tiles online or want to look tile designs, you can visit our website.