Kitchens endure some of the most significant wear and tear of any room in the home. Think about it: It’s a place where meals are prepared, dishes are washed, and families gather. And as the kitchen has evolved into more of a gathering space for hosting guests, it’s only bound to endure more foot traffic and other general wear as a result.
Noting this, one of the key essentials to any kitchen is ensuring that the flooring is durable enough to stand up to this wear and tear. On this note, one of the most popular flooring materials in the kitchen is porcelain tile. In this post, we’ll take a closer look at why. Read on for more information on the benefits of porcelain tile in the kitchen.
Porcelain Tile 101
Before we get into the key benefits of porcelain tiles, let’s take a closer look at what exactly porcelain tile is. Made from very dense clay that’s fired at high temperatures, porcelain tends to be a heavy flooring option compared to other types of floor coverings. Porcelain is known for its uniform makeup, unique designs and its more polished look. It’s these characteristics that help make way for some of porcelain’s more notable benefits.
Key Benefits of Porcelain Tile
Durability
One of the key reasons porcelain tile has become so popular in the kitchen is its durability. As we said in the opening, porcelain tiles are made from dense clay that’s fired at high temperatures. This gives it great strength and durability – a must for a kitchen space that tends to endure significant wear and tear. In fact, porcelain tiles are almost impossible to damage and they won’t chip, crack or split as easily as other types of hard flooring do. Because of this durability, porcelain tiles are an ideal choice for kitchens with heavy foot traffic, homes with pets or commercial kitchens.
Ease of Maintenance
Aside from durability, one of the key reasons why porcelain tiles have become so popular in the kitchen is due to their ease of maintenance. Porcelain tiles are water-resistant, which makes them ideal for any environment where splashes or spills are more likely to occur. Unlike other hard flooring styles, property owners won’t have to worry about water penetrating the material and causing water damage or cracked tiles. Porcelain is non-porous and water tends to dry very fast when it comes in contact with the material. Thanks to its durability, porcelain is also scratch-resistant, so property owners won’t have to worry about buffing out scratches from pet nails or high heels.
What’s more is that porcelain tiles don’t require intensive cleaning outside of routine care, meaning you’ll be using less chemicals to maintain the flooring. Regular applications of sealant aren’t necessary and porcelain isn’t prone to harboring bacteria and other pathogens like other flooring materials are. A simple sweep and routine mopping with water is all you really need to keep the porcelain looking great.
Design Opportunities
Outside of porcelain’s durability and how easy it is to maintain, it’s become a popular option for its range of design opportunities. Known as much for its beauty as it is for its durability, porcelain tiles come in a variety of patterns, colors, textures and shapes. Some say the design opportunities are limitless with porcelain – a key reason why it has become so popular in kitchens. Porcelain can be crafted to look like other materials, such as wood or stone, but without any of the imperfections. The options are truly endless when it comes to porcelain tiles, a trait that means homeowners will be able to find just the scheme they’re looking for to bring a kitchen together.
While porcelain is a popular material for kitchen flooring, it’s also commonly used as backsplashes, on tabletops or even as accent pieces.
If you’re brainstorming kitchen floor tile ideas, porcelain should be near the top of the list. Porcelain’s durability, ease of maintenance and design versatility have made it one of the most popular tiles in kitchens throughout the country.
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For more information on the benefits of porcelain tile in the kitchen, contact us today.