Need help with shopping for kitchen tiles

[atroop711]

I''m getting a new place and my husband wants to put down tiles in the new kitchen. Anyone have information on what''s the best material in tile for a kitchen? We are putting bamboo down everywhere else and I wanted to just continue into the kitchen but he''s not budging

...I do like the look of tile but having lived with old 1960''s tile my entire life...I''m LOST. I''ve heard that some materials need to be sealed and hard to care for. I need EASY.

Any rec''s are GREATLY appreciated!

 

[beechezz]

I would say that porcelain tiles would be the easiest to care for. I had them in my old house, and they are super easy, just mop. No maintenance required! It''s too bad your hubby won''t go for the hardwood bamboo in the kitchen too. In my new house (which is 59 years old) we put in hardwood to match all of the other flooring in the house and I love it! Yes, I worry about it a little, but it is worth it in my opinion.

Please keep us posted on your choice, I am so excited for you...I love picking out these things (is weird, I know)

 

[gemgirl]

Date: 8/19/2009 2:17:20 PM
Author: beechezz
I would say that porcelain tiles would be the easiest to care for. I had them in my old house, and they are super easy, just mop. No maintenance required! It''s too bad your hubby won''t go for the hardwood bamboo in the kitchen too. In my new house (which is 59 years old) we put in hardwood to match all of the other flooring in the house and I love it! Yes, I worry about it a little, but it is worth it in my opinion.

Please keep us posted on your choice, I am so excited for you...I love picking out these things (is weird, I know)

My husband is a contractor, so he is super fussy. I have American porcelain tile in my laundry room (grade IV) and I bought a close out of a pretty dusty rose Italian porcelain tile for my kitchen (grade V). The tile in my laundry room has been down for six years and it still looks absolutely perfect, despite the fact that I sometimes unconsciously drag my iron board over it

, and I''ve dropped my iron on it a few times over the years.

There are five grades for ceramic floor tile from I to V (Roman numerals), I being the weakest (they really don''t make any Is anymore), and V being the most durable. Commonly 3, 4 and 5 is what''s used, 5 for commercial.
You can have your tile guy seal the grout lines and that will ensure that it will always look as good as new.

If you have any other questions, just ask away. My husband''s been doing remodeling for almost 25 yrs. and he''s a PITA when it comes to the quality of his materials. I think he knows about every product out there.

 

[pennquaker09]

You could get some of the wood look porcelian tile. It''s gorgeous and kind of different.

Or you could go with something like slate or limestone.

Personally, I have tiles through the main floor of my home and I prefer wood. I have to contantly mop and swiffer.

 

[atroop711]

Date: 8/19/2009 4:38:59 PM
Author: gemgirl

Date: 8/19/2009 2:17:20 PM

Author: beechezz

I would say that porcelain tiles would be the easiest to care for. I had them in my old house, and they are super easy, just mop. No maintenance required! It''s too bad your hubby won''t go for the hardwood bamboo in the kitchen too. In my new house (which is 59 years old) we put in hardwood to match all of the other flooring in the house and I love it! Yes, I worry about it a little, but it is worth it in my opinion.


Please keep us posted on your choice, I am so excited for you...I love picking out these things (is weird, I know)

My husband is a contractor, so he is super fussy. I have American porcelain tile in my laundry room (grade IV) and I bought a close out of a pretty dusty rose Italian porcelain tile for my kitchen (grade V). The tile in my laundry room has been down for six years and it still looks absolutely perfect, despite the fact that I sometimes unconsciously drag my iron board over it

, and I''ve dropped my iron on it a few times over the years.



There are five grades for ceramic floor tile from I to V (Roman numerals), I being the weakest (they really don''t make any Is anymore), and V being the most durable. Commonly 3, 4 and 5 is what''s used, 5 for commercial.

You can have your tile guy seal the grout lines and that will ensure that it will always look as good as new.


If you have any other questions, just ask away. My husband''s been doing remodeling for almost 25 yrs. and he''s a PITA when it comes to the quality of his materials. I think he knows about every product out there.

GEMGIRL..thanks SO MUCH this is very helpful!

 

[soocool]

I have had porcelain (Class IV) 12-inch tiles in my kitchen for the past 10 years and I love it because it is easy to clean (I use a steam cleaner) and have never had to seal the grout (I went with a medium gray grout I think it is called Delorean gray) and it looks as new as the day we put it in. My only complaint is that several tiles in a row have had a hairline crack for the past 5 years. My DH thinks it is due to the house settling. So far it has stayed as a hairline crack and has not expanded

 

[atroop711]

Date: 8/19/2009 7:34:13 PM
Author: soocool
I have had porcelain (Class IV) 12-inch tiles in my kitchen for the past 10 years and I love it because it is easy to clean (I use a steam cleaner) and have never had to seal the grout (I went with a medium gray grout I think it is called Delorean gray) and it looks as new as the day we put it in. My only complaint is that several tiles in a row have had a hairline crack for the past 5 years. My DH thinks it is due to the house settling. So far it has stayed as a hairline crack and has not expanded

thanks soocool..

 

[gemgirl]

Date: 8/19/2009 7:26:23 PM
Author: atroop711

Date: 8/19/2009 4:38:59 PM
Author: gemgirl

Date: 8/19/2009 2:17:20 PM

Author: beechezz

I would say that porcelain tiles would be the easiest to care for. I had them in my old house, and they are super easy, just mop. No maintenance required! It''s too bad your hubby won''t go for the hardwood bamboo in the kitchen too. In my new house (which is 59 years old) we put in hardwood to match all of the other flooring in the house and I love it! Yes, I worry about it a little, but it is worth it in my opinion.


Please keep us posted on your choice, I am so excited for you...I love picking out these things (is weird, I know)

My husband is a contractor, so he is super fussy. I have American porcelain tile in my laundry room (grade IV) and I bought a close out of a pretty dusty rose Italian porcelain tile for my kitchen (grade V). The tile in my laundry room has been down for six years and it still looks absolutely perfect, despite the fact that I sometimes unconsciously drag my iron board over it

, and I''ve dropped my iron on it a few times over the years.



There are five grades for ceramic floor tile from I to V (Roman numerals), I being the weakest (they really don''t make any Is anymore), and V being the most durable. Commonly 3, 4 and 5 is what''s used, 5 for commercial.

You can have your tile guy seal the grout lines and that will ensure that it will always look as good as new.


If you have any other questions, just ask away. My husband''s been doing remodeling for almost 25 yrs. and he''s a PITA when it comes to the quality of his materials. I think he knows about every product out there.

GEMGIRL..thanks SO MUCH this is very helpful!

You''re very welcome atroop!

 

[pennquaker09]

I guess I should have mentioned I have porcelian also.

Are you installing new cabinets and counter tops as well?

 

[movie zombie]

love the porcellain tile in our kitchen. we had the grout tinted to a color not exact to but in the range of the tile color and there was some magical chemical the tiler put into the grout that has kept it from staining.

mz