You might have heard of porcelain tiles being used in bathrooms, but did you know that they are becoming a fast trend in kitchens as well? If you want an alternative to quartz kitchen countertops, learn more about porcelain tiles and how they can be used as kitchen countertops.
Porcelain Tiles Are Durable
Porcelain may look like a delicate material, at first glance, but you shouldn’t be fooled by appearances, because it is one of the most durable materials used in bathrooms as well as kitchens. The composition and the dense packing of the tiles make it sturdy and if you take care of it, then it will last you a long time.
There is also a lot of variety available in porcelain, so it’s not one of those boring materials that don’t have a huge color and pattern selection.
They Are Temperature Resistant
Here’s another fact about porcelain that will blow your mind. Unlike marble, granite, and other natural stones, porcelain tiles have a greater tendency to resist heat and they don’t get those hideous black stains when you put something really hot on the tile surface.
Although it is quite resistant to heat, you still want to make sure that you’re not testing its limits. Make sure that you are using trivets or cutting boards when working on the tile surface because it will pay you in the long run, when you don’t need to maintain it every now and then.
You Don’t Need To Seal The Porcelain Tiles
If porcelain tiles couldn’t get any more perfect, they also don’t require sealing. It is a classic choice for bathrooms and because there is a lot of water usage in the bathroom, porcelain is a perfect choice, because it is naturally non-porous.
If it’s good enough for use in bathrooms, then it will be a star in the kitchen. Not to mention, you’ll also be saving extra money, because let’s face it: Maintaining or sealing a countertop costs a lot and if you can salvage it anywhere in this department, it’s perfect.
They Can Can Crack Easily
Tiles are generally more prone to breakage than slabs. Since porcelain is available in slab and tile forms, you can select any of the two. But it’s better if you don’t go for tiles, because they are quite lightweight and although it means that the countertop installation will be easier and faster, it doesn’t necessarily impart good strength, as compared to a porcelain slab.
A lot of people prefer slabs over tiles, but slabs are generally more expensive, which makes tiles the better option of the two. If you are careful in your kitchen and don’t use a lot of force on your countertops, then tiles can endure that perfectly.
They Are Insanely Expensive
One major drawback of porcelain tiles and slabs is that the price point of this material is crazy. It is a highly expensive material, which is why a lot of people don’t opt for this material, even in their bathrooms, let alone installing it in their kitchen.
The cost of one tile, which has 1 ft. x 1 ft. dimensions, is anywhere between $4 to $35, which is a lot, especially if you’re considering this material for the kitchen, because more space needs to be covered in the kitchen than in bathrooms so the cost will increase as well.
Porcelain Tiles Have UV Light Protection
Last but not least, porcelain has over a lot of other kitchen countertop materials so that it won’t discolor in presence of sunlight. A lot of the time, materials like quartz and even granite can get discolored and you need to fuss a lot about the placement of the countertops where there is no direct exposure to sunlight.
With porcelain tiles, however, you don’t need to worry about such things. It is also quite environmentally friendly and sustainable, as compared to other man-made or engineered materials. It is naturally sourced and can be recycled.
Conclusion
There you have it! Porcelain tiles look beautiful and they have a luxurious feel to them, so they will look amazing in the kitchen. So, the next time you want to consider countertop replacement NC, it won’t hurt to include porcelain tiles in your material selection.
