Ceramic tiles are often preferred in kitchens but you should not just blindly choose them over the alternatives. We are talking about a truly classic choice. The appearance is clean and elegant. At the same time, durability is high and maintenance is not at all that difficult. The versatility of ceramic kitchen flooring is high and guarantees you will find a perfect fit.
But, before you go browsing for your next ceramic kitchen floor, make sure to understand the associated advantages and disadvantages.
Ceramic Kitchen Floors – Advantages
The most important advantages of using ceramic kitchen floors are the following:
Durability
When it comes to wear and tear, ceramic tiles offer you a lot of protection. They can deal with most things you normally find in a kitchen, ranging from splashes to muddy footprints. In addition, it is not at all difficult to clean ceramic. You just need a vacuum or some dry-dusting with a simple broom. Then, use a good damp mop with some mild cleaning solution and hot water. It is more than enough for cleaning these tiles.
Affordability
Just go to a store and you will find countless low-priced ceramic tiles. This is actually a highly affordable flooring option for kitchens. It is practically impossible not to find some ceramic tiles that will perfectly fit the budget.
Style
All you have to do is to look at all the trending ceramic tile styles available on the market and you will notice several interesting options. Wide tiles are particularly trending since they make the kitchen look bigger than it is. You can choose from several colors so that you match the existing decorating scheme. Also, due to modern printing technology, you can actually generate ceramic tile surfaces that mimic the appearance of natural stone (including travertine and marble), wood, and concrete. Combine this with the really clean monotone options and it is clear you can find something that perfectly matches the style of your kitchen.
Ceramic Kitchen Floors – Disadvantages
While the advantages mentioned below are definitely very interesting, we have to also consider the cons of using ceramic tiles in your kitchen. The particularly important disadvantages that have to be mentioned are:
Usability
When floors settle, the ceramic tile can crack. And when you drop a glass or a plate on the floor, you already know it is going to shatter. At the same time, ceramic flooring is hard and cold. You would need to use a cushioned mat or a rug in some cases to deal with the discomfort.
You should also remember that moisture will make the tiles really slippery. You gain more traction with textured surfaces. Ceramic is sensitive when it comes to really expensive temperatures, which can be a problem for outdoor areas, even if ceramic becomes really viable indoors.
Maintenance
Ceramic tile floors are held together with more grout. The grout has to be periodically sealed. Often, you need to use specialty cleaning products or you might end up with stains appearing between the tiles.
Final Thoughts
There is not that much to be said about the advantages and disadvantages of ceramic kitchen flooring. What is essential to understand is that this is an option that is great for most kitchens out there but not the only one available, nor the best for every home. Always understand all your options before you make the final choice.
