The kitchen is the center of the home. Not only the smell of coffee and fresh pastries create a feeling of comfort here. Not excessive in this part of the home will be a stylish interior and, most importantly, practical finishing materials. The specifics of the operating conditions of kitchen space determines the direction of choice of cladding not only for furniture surfaces, but also for the floor. Durability, durability, ease of maintenance, the possibility of long-term operation – these are the main criteria that should be considered. Today, there are many coatings that will look good in the kitchen. Linoleum, wooden floor, cork cover have a beautiful appearance, but they are not very practical for use in the kitchen and demanding care. An excellent modern solution to the floor tiles will be for the kitchen. Photos and prices of the main types, as well as a review of manufacturers will help you make the right choice.
Types of floor tiles for the kitchen
The most common types of floor tiles are:
- Ceramic tile – comfortable and practical to use. This is the most popular floor covering for the kitchen. Due to the wide price range, you can choose the appropriate option depending on financial possibilities;
- Porcelain – more expensive finishing material. This coating is indifferent to temperature changes, has water-repellent properties, high wear resistance and durability;
- quartz-vinyl floor tiles are an innovation in the world of finishing materials at an affordable price. The main characteristics of this coating are durability and resistance to damage, as well as a fire-resistant and water-repellent effect. Included in its composition vinyl provides such a flooring softness, flexibility and warmth. Ceramics cannot boast of such properties.
These coatings are durable and do not require special care, are easy to clean from dirt and grease using household chemicals. The range is presented in a variety of sizes, colors and textures. Options are available to simulate the surface of such natural materials as wood, stone, leather, fabric, metal. Different ways of laying floor tiles for the kitchen (photos of which can be found on the Internet) allow you to divide the kitchen into separate zones. What gives the chance to issue a floor in kitchen in versatile design decisions.
For the manufacture of ceramic tiles used various technologies and processes. Depending on the manufacturing methods, such types of ceramic facing materials are distinguished: bicotour, monocotour, monoporosis, cotto, clinker, majolica, cotoforte, faience, porcelain stoneware, glazed and unglazed tiles. Of these, to cover the floor in the kitchen is most suitable:
- monokottura. The enameled tile which is used in facing of walls and a floor;
- monoporosis is a single-fired glazed tile. Its use is allowed for interior decoration, but it is less dense than monocoatura;
- Cotto is a non-enamelled single fired tile. It is made of red clay and looks very beautiful on the floor. The tile for kitchen from this material should be chosen at non-intensive operation of the room;
- clinker – has a high resistance to mechanical damage and household chemicals, therefore it is widely used when facing floors;
- Kotoforte – pressed double-fired glazed tile. Its strength allows it to be used as a floor covering;
- unglazed tile consists of a homogeneous material throughout the thickness, without a decorative layer, therefore it is characterized by high wear resistance, but low moisture absorption coefficient;
- The glazed tile has a decorative glass layer, which is subsequently decorated with a pattern or color scheme.
Ceramic tiles are laid mainly on the cement-sand base. You can leave the old coating, only if it has no defects, curvatures and voids. It depends on the quality of the base how long tiled flooring will last. Therefore, in order not to pay twice, it is better to make a new tie. For a heated coating, choose a base with high thermal conductivity.
Helpful advice! If you already have a plank surface, which is a pity to remove, cover it with waterproof plywood, process it additionally with a primer and you can lay tiles. It is not recommended to use a solid wood base for use when laying ceramic tiles, as it tends to bend during operation.
Ceramic tiles are strong enough and are not afraid of moisture or temperature changes. Such a coating is not afraid of water and dirt, drops of fat and household chemicals. Proper care will provide a decent appearance for years to come.
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Porcelain stoneware is a relatively new expensive finishing material, which is made from a mixture of high-quality clay, quartz, feldspar with the addition of natural dyes. Under the influence of high temperature, this mixture turns into a monolithic material, which is characterized by durability and low moisture absorption.
The porcelain stoneware coating is not inferior in its structure and properties to natural stone, therefore, it is used for interior decoration both inside and outside. The use of natural materials in its manufacture guarantees the environmental friendliness of this product. Decorative properties of this material are multifaceted.
The use of porcelain stoneware as a floor tile for the kitchen (this confirms this in the interior photo) will give the room a rich look. Depending on the style, you can choose a tile with an imitation of the pattern of natural stone, matte, polished or embossed surface, the effect of chips and age-old scuffs.
This is a development of Japanese scientists, which has found its application in building technologies. The structure of this finishing material is multilayered. Its basic elements are made of quartz sand and fiberglass. The top layer with a UV filter has a decorative function, which is applied photo-printed image. A protective layer of polyurethane and polyvinyl chloride gives the material strength and durability. Moisture resistance, fire resistance and sound absorption can also be attributed to the merits of a quartz-vinyl flooring.
Products from this material are made square or rectangular. With the help of photo printing manufacturers have achieved tremendous results in a variety of design. Tiles for the kitchen on the floor (photos of samples from quartz-vinyl are presented in the manufacturer’s catalogs) can be selected in the options for simulating any natural material. Or choose a bright color or extravagant pattern.
The surface of the flooring is also available in several versions: smooth or cramped. All this allows you to roam the imagination and bring to life the most unusual design solutions. And the cost of such a finishing material does not hit the pocket, since the price range is very affordable.
They say that quartz-vinyl floor tiles are harmful to health. This public opinion has developed in connection with the distrust of unusual names for chemical names, such as “polyvinyl chloride” and “refined product.” In fact, PVC products are widely used in all civilized countries. This material can be dangerous only when burning, as this leads to the release of toxic substances. However, like any other object from the usual plastic. Therefore, there are no restrictions on the use of this flooring.
It is interesting! Petroleum jelly and paraffin wax are refined products. They are widely used for cosmetic and medical purposes and do not cause doubts in their safety.
Floor tiles for the kitchen are available in a wide range of colors, patterns and textures. As for the technical characteristics, here it is necessary to take into account some parameters established by regulatory documents. They will help you choose the best option for your kitchen:
- bending resistance. Defines the load limit for three points of one tile without destroying it. This value is expressed in N / mm ?. According to ISO 1054-4, there are such minimum values depending on the tile category (for BIb – 27, for BIIa – 20, for BIIb – 16);
- surface hardness. This indicator will help determine how resistant the tile is to mechanical damage. According to the norms of EN101, this value is from 1 to 10. The higher this value, the less tile can be damaged and scratched. It should be noted that for non-enamelled tiles, this provision is not mandatory, since the structure of the tile is uniform throughout the thickness;
- resistance to abrasive wear (for unglazed tiles ISO 10545-6) and resistance to abrasive impact (for enamelled tiles – IS010545-7). The rate determines how much the tile is subject to wear during operation. For kitchen ceramic tiles in accordance with EN 154, select category REI III (operation with an average availability of abrasive particles);
- chemical resistance (ISO 10545-13). Determines the ability of tiles at room temperature to withstand exposure to chemicals. The letter classification in descending order is as follows: AA – the product is resistant to chemical attack; A – may have minor changes; B – has average changes in appearance during chemical exposure; C – partially lost its original appearance; D – complete loss of the original appearance;
- Slip resistance. This rule is not mandatory, but in the kitchen there is always the risk of slipping on the spilled liquid on the floor. Photo tiles in the kitchen often show still rough surface;
- the size. Most often, tiles of 20×20, 30×30 and 40×40 cm are chosen for the floor. Combined versions are also used. Small tiles 10×10 or 15×15 cm are less commonly used for flooring. It looks very organic in such stylistic decisions as Provence or Country. Please note that the floor tile has a thicker and more durable structure than the wall. Its thickness should be between 6.5 and 11 mm;
- color and texture are determined individually depending on the use of floor tiles for the kitchen. Photos and prices, options for combining textures and shades can be viewed in the manufacturers catalogs.
Helpful advice! When buying a tile in a store, it will not be superfluous to match the color and tone of all the packages, or make sure by marking that all tiles are from the same batch. Since different batches of the same collection may differ in these indicators.
Technical parameters manufacturers usually indicate in catalogs or by marking on the packaging. Knowing what type of tile you intend to put on the kitchen, do not be lazy to check it for compliance with the specified standards and your kitchen floor will retain its aesthetic appearance for a long time.
Finishing the floor is one of the main elements of the decor. When choosing a floor tile should be aware that it will be an integral part of the overall ensemble. The color scheme and style of the flooring should be chosen based on the interior of the kitchen, its lighting and size. In poorly lit or small kitchens, light tile floors look better. Dark color, diluted with light inserts, suitable for large rooms.
Organically fit into the classic style of marble tiles. In the kitchen with a modern design it will be better to look at a single-colored floor or floor with a neutral pattern. Artificially aged ceramic tiles are perfect style Provence.
Various options for imitation of natural materials for wood, stone, glass, metal and even the skin of reptiles in the flooring will also find their application in the design of the kitchen interior. A variety of shapes, sizes, colors and textures will give designers unlimited possibilities of using tiles as an additional decoration.
The geography of companies engaged in the production of tiles is extensive. The most popular products are manufacturers from Spain, Italy, Poland, Portugal, China, Turkey and Germany. Also tiled flooring is made in the former CIS countries – Russia, Belarus, Ukraine.
The goods of these manufacturers differ not only in quality, but also in price policy. Therefore, the choice mainly depends on the status and financial possibilities of the consumer.
Consider the approximate prices of tiles on the floor for the kitchen (photos and a detailed price scale can be found in the catalogs of manufacturers or on the websites of shops selling these products).
More budget options are considered to be Russian manufacturers (Kerama Marazzi, Coliseumgres, Cersanit, Lesselsbergers, Belleza, Uralkeramika, Global Tile, Atlas Concord, Atla Cera). The initial price of products from these manufacturers per square meter ranges from 130 to 850 rubles. Demand is also enjoyed by the Belarusian tile company Keramin (from 500 rubles per sq. M.), Ukrainian products of the Kharkov tile factory, InterKerama and Atem (from 600 rubles for m?).
Also available will be products in the middle price segment from the Polish companies Opoczno and Paradiz (from 700 rubles per square meter), Cerrol (from 1000 rubles per square meter?) Polcolorit and Tubarzin (from 1700 rubles per square meter?). It should also be noted Chinese tiled factories Bertini Mosaic, Color Viva, Bars Cristal Mosaik, Fiorano, Dong Peng, Primacolor and many others from 500 rubles per m ?.
Despite the relatively low price, the products of these manufacturers comply with the requirements of international quality standards. She is not inferior in appearance design solutions more expensive options from Spain, Italy, Germany. Cheap floor tiles do not mean poor quality.
With great financial opportunities, it is permissible to decorate the kitchen floor tiles and more expensive. Then you should pay your attention to such manufacturers as Absolut Keramika, Aparici, Azteca (Spain); Alta Ceramika, Ctrasarda, Magorica FAP Ceramice (Italy); Love Ceramic Tiles (Portugal). Their prices start from 1200 rubles / m? the easiest tile. The upper limit will determine only your wallet.
Separately, I would like to say about the manufacturers and prices of porcelain stoneware and quartz-vinyl coatings. To avoid counterfeiting, it is worth buying tiles from these materials from trusted manufacturers. In the post-Soviet space, Russian companies such as Estima, Atlas Concorde, Ural Granite, Italon are engaged in the production of porcelain stoneware. Their products are of high quality and affordable. For example, in Russia, floor ceramic tiles 45×45 (photos of samples are presented in the catalogs of manufacturers) will cost you from 600 rubles per square meter.
From foreign manufacturers, ceramic granite from the Italian brands Delconca, Sintesi, Pastorelli (cost from 2350 rubles per m?), And Chinese Sal Sapiente, Fiorano can be noted (approximately based on the price from 1800 rubles / m?).
Supplies of quartz-vinyl flooring are made from Belgian, Chinese, German, Swiss manufacturers. The square meter of such flooring from the Belgian manufacturers Fine Floor, Contesse NV, Vinilam, Vinipol will cost from 1,700 rubles / m ?. A bit cheaper is the floor tile from Chinese brands Alpine Floor, Art Tile, Decoria, Nox Eco Click (from 1300 rubles per square meter and more). Expensive choice of Swiss vinyl from Pergo and Progress (from 2500 rubles per m?).
As you can see, today the choice of floor tiles for the kitchen is large enough. Dozens of manufacturers, thousands of proposals for the structure, millions of colors, patterns, textures and styles. In this variety, everyone will be able to choose an affordable tile on the kitchen floor, which will serve for many years and give a good mood during a quick morning snack or a traditional dinner with family.
