Best Tile for Kitchen Floor: How to Make the Right Choice

Thanks to HGTV and motivated millennials, the home improvement industry is booming. In fact, it’s estimated that Americans spent more than $380 billion last year on home improvements. Of all the home improvement projects, bathroom and kitchen floor renovations led the way.

For many people, the kitchen is an integral part of their home. Not only is it the place where families cook and spend time together, but it’s also the heart of the home. That’s why we’ve created this guide to go over everything you need to know about choosing the best tile for your kitchen floor.

What You Need to Know About Kitchen Renovations

79% of home improvement projects involve the kitchen. We already went over the reasons why, but there are a few more things to keep in mind.

The first is that kitchen renovations are not cheap. On average they cost around $22,700, but, you have to look at the workmanship and materials that go into it. Most people want granite quartz, or Carrera marble for their countertops. Then there are the cabinets, which have to withstand regular use from your family members. They also have to hold the weight of plates, glasses, and everything else you store in them.

Then, there’s the flooring. The kitchen floor is a high-traffic area so you want heavy-duty material that can handle it.
In the early 20th century, linoleum was all the rage in kitchen flooring. People still use it today but to a lesser degree.
That’s because technology has evolved. Logistics make imported materials easier to get a hold of, which leads to what seems like thousands of flooring choices. But don’t worry! We’re going to help you navigate through your options, so you can pick the best tile for your kitchen.

Picking the Best Tile for Your Kitchen Floor

Here are some things to consider before we get into all your options.

Durability

As we mentioned, your kitchen is a high-traffic area, so you need durable flooring. This means that you should avoid choosing cheap stick-on tile to save money. It’s popular, but it don’t last long. The corners will come up, they tear, and the adhesive may give out. You’ll know a tile’s durability by its PEI rating. This is a system that tells you, in essence, where the best place to install a certain tile is.

• PEI 1 – No foot traffic; in general, refers to most wall tiles
• PEI 2 – Light foot traffic; includes wall tiles and flooring in guest bathrooms
• PEI 3 – Light to moderate use; includes wall tiles, most flooring, and countertops
• PEI 4 – Moderate to heavy use; residential and industrial flooring
• PEI 5 – Heavy to extra-heavy use; not typically found in residential applications, but used for commercial and industrial flooring

Not all manufacturers list the PEI rating for their tiles. But most will at least give you a recommendation for the location where you should install it.

Size

Tiles come in a variety of sizes. You may love the look of a 24″ tile but if you have a smaller kitchen, using it may not fit well or look well-proportioned. The smaller, decorative tile may accent your countertops and complement your aesthetic, but may not give you the durability you need. They also may not be cost-effective.

It’s very common for people to use 12″ tiles for a kitchen floor. Some even prefer 18″. In all cases, you have to make sure you have exact measurements. Measuring incorrectly and not ordering enough tile are two of the biggest mistakes in DIY flooring projects. You can avoid a lot of headaches by hiring a flooring contractor, but if you’re going 100% DIY, be sure to measure the area more than once. Additionally, make sure you buy enough tile for the project. Flooring stores and even big-box retailers do sell out of products. This means, just because there were dozens of cases available on Friday doesn’t mean they’ll be there Monday.

Color

When it comes to color, you have a lot of options. This comes down to what you like and what will match the rest of your kitchen. But take into consideration that while darker colors may “hide” more, they can make your kitchen appear smaller. Lighter hues will brighten your space and make it bigger, but won’t hide much.

Texture

Texture and safety go hand in hand. Textured and matte tiles are less slippery than glass or smooth tiles.
Your kitchen floor will get wet at times, and even slippery from spills. Keep this in mind when buying tiles.

Installation

If you’re a first-timer, prepping and installing tiles is a challenge, but it’s not impossible. Just make sure you follow the manufacturer’s suggestions. You also need to use the right tile saw. Many equipment places rent them out but keep in mind, you can buy a wet table saw for less than you think.

Don’t forget your installation job needs more than just tiles and a saw. You also need tile spacers, a level, a trowel, and a grout float. Make sure you read our top tips for using tile spacers effectively before you start your tiling job.

Maintenance

No one wants to spend their weekends on their hands and knees cleaning tiles. But, proper maintenance ensures that you’ll getting the longest life possible out of your flooring. Let’s look at how to maintain different types of tiles.

Wood

Hardwood flooring is as popular as ever. If you live in an older home, you probably have it throughout your house, including in the kitchen. But, natural hardwood is high-maintenance. You need to re-seal it every so often and it can get scratched. Laminate is more durable, but may not match your existing hardwood flooring. Wood look tile is a popular alternative that’s made of porcelain but with a finish that resembles wood. These are tricky to install, so be sure to read up on all the unique challenges you’ll face.

Porcelain Tiles

Porcelain and ceramic tiles are often confused. They look alike and share the same colors and sizes. But, believe it or not, there are differences between them. Porcelain has added sand to its clay mixture. It’s made with heat and pressure so the result is a harder, denser material. It’s also less porous. Because of their durability, porcelain tiles are also installed outside in patios, porches or verandas. They withstand any climate, so they’re pretty versatile. The coloring is added to the clay, creating a richer color that won’t fade as easily as other types.

Glazed porcelain is different. During the firing process, the material gets glazed to give it a glass-like effect. The color is added during the glazing process, so it may appear uneven. It also scratches easier than non-glazed nd is more slippery than non-porous porcelain.

Installing porcelain tile requires special tools and patience. If you’re going it alone, make sure you follow the manufacturer’s recommendations to a tee. RUBI’s DS-250 and DS-250-N Laser & Level tile saw works for both ceramic and porcelain, but its ability to cut the latter is where it shines brightest. The TP-T tile cutter is ideal for porcelain.

Ceramic Tiles

Ceramic tiles are softer and more porous than porcelain. This material also goes through a glazing process to create a harder surface. These tiles are available in any color you can think of and in many different textures. While they are softer, the glazing gives them a surface that is very easy to clean. They’re low maintenance and durable, which is why they’re a favorite among kitchen remodelers.

Installing ceramic tiles is easier than working with porcelain, though installing any tile is difficult if you’ve never done it before. And even if you have, one misstep can throw off the whole project. Taking your time during the prep work will make the job smoother. Also, be sure to check out our step-by-step guide for installing ceramic tiles.

RUBI was founded in 1951 to solve problems in cement cutting, and today, RUBI is still the leader in ceramic tile cutting. We want to lend our expertise to your projects, so take a look at some of our tools like the ND-180 tile saw, which offers the perfect solution for cutting tile on the go or several locations. There’s also the DU-200-Lite tile saw, which you can use for renovations and light work. Additionally, the TZ tile cutters have incredible power and the TX-N tile cutters offer unparalleled precision.

Stone Floor Tiles

Natural stone tiles are exactly what they sound like. They’re made from stone, not clay or sand. The most popular stone tiles are:

• Slate
• Granite
• Limestone
• Travertine
• Marble

Because these are natural substances, you’ll need to re-seal them every two to three years. There are also two types of stone tiles: polished and honed. Polished stone, like marble, is slippery. Sometimes it doesn’t even have to be wet to cause someone to slip or fall! But, polished stone is gorgeous and the natural beauty of the material can shine through.

In general, honed stone has a rougher texture. It also has a duller color. But, you can find travertine in many textures and finishes.

Stone tile generally comes in larger sizes and is more expensive than porcelain or ceramic tile. It also requires different saws and cutters than ceramic and porcelain. When it comes to saws, the RUBI DX-350-N Laser & Level or the DT-180 Evolution wet tile saw should be among your top choices.

Let’s Build Together

Tiling or re-tiling your kitchen is the quickest way to give it a facelift. But, you have to make sure you’re choosing the best tile for your kitchen floor. Decorative tile or glass-like textures can look beautiful, but they are slippery and may not hold up as well as you need them to. Stone tiles are rugged and durable but they are also high-maintenance. Ceramic and porcelain are classic choices but wood like tiles are becoming more popular.

If you’re still unsure of what kind of material you should choose for your kitchen floor, check out our tile blog. After you decide on your tile, there’s only one choice for your tile tools: RUBI.

Visit our page to see everything we have to offer so you can carry out your project with confidence. Don’t forget, your tile cutter won’t run as efficiently as it should without a good blade. Check out our diamond blades for precision cuts.