Kelowna Home Repairs: Adding Ceramic Tile in the Kitchen

Flooring is often one of the last parts of the kitchen to get redone; after everything else is completed, new floors seal the deal. Hardwood floors have long been a mainstay in kitchens, regaining their stronghold from the linoleum craze of the ’60s and ’70s. Now, ceramic tile is a frontrunner in flooring services in Kelowna kitchens. Find out why ceramic tile is a practical choice and who to call for floor tile installation services to complete the last piece of your kitchen redo.

The Versatility of Tile

Tile once reigned king. It covered much artwork, flooring, walls, and other parts of the home. Somewhere between then and the early 1900s, tile fell out of favour. However, once it was reinstituted as a standard, it reemerged strangely.

For the longest time, it used to be that tile came in one of about five colours: cream, terracotta, pink, mint green, and black. Imagine the terracotta tiled basements of your youth or the pink and mint green tiles bathrooms of a distant relative’s house. Many model homes were constantly outfitted with matte cream tiles in bathrooms and kitchens during the early to mid-2000s. Occasionally, you might have spotted a traditional Mexican or Italian patterned tile in the fanciest of homes. Thankfully, the times of tile have nearly come full circle.

Colours

The rule of the thumb with tiles and colours these days is if you can dream it, you can do it. Tiles come in all different shades, hues, brightnesses, finishes, and tones of colours. You can easily match the colour scheme of your home decor or define the space as its own.

Patterns

Many people opt for flooring patterns that contrast their backsplash. While the backsplash might have a chevron pattern, the floor tile can have a penny tile installation that creates interest. The backsplash could be a mirrored micro-brick application while the floor has a herringbone pattern installation of ceramic tile to contrast.

Shapes

Like all other aspects of the tile, shapes are endless; gone are the days of only the 12″x12″ builder-grade tile for the kitchen. A popular choice for kitchens is thinner ceramic tiles that are made to replicate hardwood flooring. Long “planks” of tile are grouted in and look like wood flooring but have the durability of ceramic tile.

Sizes

Despite the limitations of the 12″x12″ traditional kitchen tile, some people can’t let go. It’s still a prevalent choice. The other options for tile sizes are limitless, however. From tiny penny tiles to 24″x24″ tiles, the kitchen is a blank canvas for your tile dreams.

Grout

Grout used to be entirely utilitarian, but now it also has a style element. It can be white, gray, black, or cream. If you want to contrast tiling and are looking for a bold line, choosing grout that illuminates lines and angles is the way to go.

The Considerations of Tile

Though ceramic tile has many benefits, it might not be for every home. Consider the plusses and minuses of ceramic tile in your kitchen.

Advantages

Tile is not only durable, but it is easy to restore if it is damaged. Dirt and grime don’t build up on tile the way they do on wood flooring or linoleum, and light buffing brings it back to its original glory when it needs to be cleaned.

Drawbacks

The primary con of ceramic tile also happens to be an aspect of its durability. The hardness of the tile can cause sore feet and an achy back if you spend a lot of time in the kitchen without a relief mat.

The Professionals of Tile

No matter the tile you’re thinking of installing, Handyman Connection has skilled professionals that can make your vision a reality. Contact Handyman Connection today for more information on floor tile installation services in Kelowna.