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In contrast to natural stone, laminate or solid surface (made of mineral dust and resins), tiles offer endless creative possibilities for your kitchen countertop – from simple square patterns to ornate mosaics. Tile is both homemade and budget-friendly, but like any countertop material, it has its own drawbacks. Read on for the 411 so you can make an informed decision about your kitchen remodeling.
Types of tiles
While tile countertops have been around since the late 19th century when ceramic tile manufacturing began in earnest, it didn’t take hold until after World War II when kitchens began to evolve in size and function. Tile countertops peaked in popularity in the 1970s and 1980s, only to dwindle in favor of solid surface composites and the increased availability of natural stone countertops.
Today’s range of tiles includes fired tiles such as ceramic or porcelain as well as tiles made of larger stones such as slate, travertine and granite. There are also eye-catching glass tiles on the market. And while tiles can be seen everywhere today – on floors, shower walls or even roofs – on kitchen worktops they not only serve as a design element, but also as a surface for the preparation of food.
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Advantages and disadvantages
Depending on your needs and lifestyle, tile may be the ideal countertop material for you.
PROS:
- Tile countertops can be installed by an avid handyman who has experience laying tile. Slab countertops should always be professionally installed.
- Tiles are heat resistant, which makes them a great choice next to a stove or oven. You can put hot pans directly on the tile surface without fear of damage.
- Homeowners have an endless variety of custom design options based on a wide variety of colors, sizes, shapes and the types of tiles available.
Disadvantage:
- While installing a tile countertop isn’t difficult, an inexperienced home improvement can get an imperfect finish. (See DIY installation tips below.)
- Tiles can flake off if something heavy accidentally falls on the surface.
- Coffee, wine, and other spills can discolor grout lines if the grout is not sealed regularly. (See Maintenance Matters below.)
Countertop costs
Tile can be a bargain, and averages between $ 2 and $ 3 per square foot for ceramic and porcelain tile. Stone tiles such as granite, slate, or marble cost $ 4 to $ 7 per square foot, while glass tile can cost up to $ 30 per square foot due to a multi-step manufacturing process that often involves artisans working from glass craftsmen.
RELATED: 7 Countertop Materials You Can Actually Afford
The savings are even greater when installing tiles yourself. Professional installation increases the price of ceramic tile to $ 18 to $ 35 per square foot, $ 45 to $ 75 per square foot for natural stone tile, and up to $ 100 per square foot for glass. This is still cheaper than professionally installed slab countertops, which cost between $ 100 and $ 185 for soapstone, $ 75 and $ 200 for granite, $ 80 and $ 155 for quartz glass, and $ 85 and $ 125 for concrete countertops.
Design decisions
The ability to create simple or elaborate motifs is one of the great advantages of tile. Nowadays, more popular designs involve inserting smaller tiles in rows between larger ones and extending the same tile design from the countertop to the backsplash for a continuous look. Different types of tiles can be used to create custom designs.
- Ceramic and porcelain tile come in a variety of sizes and colors, from 1-inch octagons to 12-inch squares, and a range of shapes and sizes in between. Rounded edge tiles are also available to create a smooth, contoured countertop edge.
- Glass tile comes in a variety of colors and styles too, and offers a translucent gem-like quality that is truly breathtaking. However, glass tiles are fragile and most prone to peeling. One reason for this is that they are more commonly used as a backsplash than as a countertop.
- Stone tiles such as travertine, slate and granite give the kitchen or bathroom a natural touch. Most stone tiles come in 4 to 12 inch squares or rectangles.
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DIY installation tips
You can save a lot of money by installing the tile panels yourself. However, if you have never worked with the material before, try to observe the process in person before embarking on your own project. Alternatively, a YouTube search comes up with a number of tile installation videos that can be very helpful. Although every job is different based on your meter configuration and the type of tile you choose, the following tips will help you find the right foot.
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- Use the correct substrate. Don’t place tiles over a plywood base. Grout (and some types of tile) absorb moisture, which penetrates and moisturizes the plywood, and eventually it delaminates and swells, which can cause the tiles to lift and crack. Use only a tile backing plate as a substrate to avoid this problem.
- Use a commercially available tile saw. A good tile saw can mean the difference between smooth, clean cuts or chipped edges that can occur when you manually notch and snap the tiles into place. Glass tile is particularly prone to chipping or scratching if not precisely cut, and a high-visibility countertop is no place for poorly cut tiles. You can rent a wet tile saw from a hardware store for $ 45 to $ 60 a day.
- Make a dry layout on your counter. With a dry layout, you will need to position each piece of tile before starting the installation with glue. Think of it as an essential test run.
- Use plastic tile spacers to create even joints between tiles. Tile standoffs are inexpensive and come in sizes between 1/16 “to 1/4”, so no matter your design, you can achieve a professional look.
- Arrange the cut ends of the tiles on the back of the countertop. Tiles come with smooth factory edges, but after you cut one the edge will be sharp. If possible, position entire tiles in the front and center of the countertop and reserve cut tiles for the rear edge. The backsplash covers the cut edge.
- Use only the adhesive recommended by the tile manufacturer. For example, porcelain requires the use of porcelain glue, while thinset glue can be used on ceramic and natural stone tiles. Always read and follow manufacturers’ adhesive requirements.
- Use the correct trowel to spread the glue. The tile manufacturer specifies a specific size of the notched trowel. The notches allow you to distribute an even base, which will ensure that the surface of your tile is flat and even. When laying translucent glass tiles, make sure that the adhesive is evenly distributed. Irregularities occur continuously.
- Use the correct mortar. When laying ceramic, porcelain, or stone tile, use sanded mortar for joints 1/8 of an inch or more wide. Use unsanded grout for joints that are narrower than 1/8-inch wide. Only use grout recommended by the manufacturer on glass tiles. It also takes at least 24 hours for the tiles to harden. So make sure they are completely dry before grouting the grout.
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Maintenance matters
Tile countertops are relatively easy to care for, but require a minimum of care and maintenance to keep them looking good.
- After preparing the meal, wipe the countertop with a damp sponge or washcloth. If necessary, use an all-purpose kitchen cleaning spray to remove stubborn grease or grime.
- Do not use acid-based cleaning agents such as vinegar or commercially available cleaning agents that contain mineral acids. These can damage the surface of stone tiles and remove the sheen from porcelain, glass or ceramics.
- Use a small brush (an old toothbrush works fine) to remove any food debris on the grout lines.
- Seal the grout lines at least once a year with an internal joint sealer that is compatible with the type of tile on your countertops. Pigmented sealants can stain natural stone tiles.
- Stone tiles are porous and should be sealed once or twice a year to protect them from staining.
- Wipe up spills immediately. Because grout – and some types of tile like stone – are porous, they can soak up liquid and stay moist, increasing the risk of mold or mildew growth.
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