Outdoor kitchens are one of the most trending outdoor amenities today – and this trend isn’t expected to die off anytime soon. According to data from Grand View Research, the market is currently valued at about $20 billion and is expected to grow at a CAGR (compound annual growth rate) of more than 8 percent from 2022 to 2030. The data suggest that outdoor kitchens are only going to become more popular as homeowners continue to add such features to their outdoor living space.
There are a lot of big decisions you’ll have to make when designing your outdoor kitchen, and one that should not be overlooked is the flooring material. Two of the most popular flooring options for outdoor kitchens are porcelain and ceramic tiles. In this post, we’ll discuss some of the key considerations to weigh when deciding between these two popular options. Here’s a look:
Porcelain Tiles for Outdoor Kitchens: What You Need to Know
Porcelain tends to be a dense, heavy tile – and because of this, it’s often a more durable tile. Compared to ceramic, porcelain is tougher and more resistant to scratches. It’s also easy to clean, and available in various styles, patterns, colors and finishes.
However, porcelain tends to be a more expensive tile option. With prices ranging from $5 to $10 per square foot on the low end and as high as $30 per square foot on the higher end, porcelain may not be a practical option for many budgets. Porcelain also tends to be a difficult type of tile to install. Since the tile is heavier, special tools are required to make cuts. As a result, installation is usually best left to professionals.
Ceramic Tiles for Outdoor Kitchens: What You Need to Know
Ceramic is generally a much lighter material than porcelain, which makes it easier to cut and install. Ceramic is also a less expensive material, with prices ranging anywhere from about $1 to $8 per square foot. A final benefit of ceramic tile is that it’s available in a wide range of colors, styles and finishes – even more so than porcelain. This allows property owners to really zero in on the pattern and color schemes to complement other features of the outdoor kitchen.
There are a few notable drawbacks to ceramic tile that you don’t really have to worry as much about with porcelain. For instance, since they’re lighter, they also tend to be more brittle and more crack-prone. Because of this, they’re not ideal for busy, heavily trafficked settings. And finally, they’re one of the more porous tile types, which can be problematic with an outdoor kitchen – especially in an area that experiences regular rainfall.
Porcelain or Ceramic: What’s Better for My Outdoor Kitchen?
So what’s the better option – porcelain or ceramic? It really depends on a variety of factors. Here’s an overview of what you should be considering when weighing your options:
- Budget: If you’re on a limited budget, there’s no question that ceramic is the more affordable option. Not only is it priced more affordable on a square foot basis, but it’s also easier to install and can often be done by the property owner. This can represent a significant savings in labor and materials.
- Foot traffic: If you’re expecting to regularly host a large number of people, porcelain is the better tile option. That’s because it’s denser and more durable than ceramic, thereby leaving it more resistant to cracks, dents and chips. Ceramic doesn’t stand up to heavy foot traffic as well as porcelain does.
- Color and variety: Though porcelain and ceramic offer a wide range of color and style options to select from, ceramic tends to offer more variety and the ability for property owners to really zero in on their vision.
Bottom Line
The bottom line is that there really isn’t a right or wrong answer when it comes to ceramic tiles vs. porcelain tiles for an outdoor kitchen. It’s all about assessing the vision for your kitchen – and your budget – and selecting the best material for you. We’re here to help.
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For more information on porcelain and ceramic tiles and how they can help create your dream outdoor kitchen, contact us today.