Tile countertops, specifically ceramic and porcelain tile countertops are the second least expensive option for kitchen countertops after laminate.
Despite its price, if chosen and designed correctly, ceramic tiles will not look cheap. Through proper installation, the main problem – keeping the grouts clean – can be reduced as well.
Modern materials allow for achieving a beautiful, stylish look with ceramic tiles on the countertops, and let me tell you: with modern printing technologies the color and pattern options are literally endless. Ceramic and porcelain tiles are great materials for kitchen countertops: they are durable, inert, natural products that do not contain toxic chemicals that off-gas.
Are tile countertops still in style?
If the first thing that comes to your mind when talking about ceramic tile countertops is those old-looking, dated-as-hell counters on top of old oak cabinets – those are out of style. However, ceramic tiles are becoming more and more trendy material for modern countertops. Contemporary technologies allow the production of not only an endless variety of colors and prints but also 3d shapes, that allow the designers to achieve a stylish modern look in the whole kitchen. The ceramic tile aesthetics fit perfectly with modern minimalistic looks.
Does ceramic tile make a good countertop?
Ceramic tiles are great for kitchen countertops, but have one flaw – the grouts are difficult to clean and can become a harbor for bacteria if not maintained properly. Having said that, ceramic tiles are great material because they are inexpensive, durable, and heat resistant, and due to endless variety, you can achieve a great number of stylish looks. If you somehow damage a single tile, it can be replaced.
The only difficulty that ceramic tiles might cause, is the cleaning process. The grouts might not be cleaned with a single stroke of a sponge and you might need to use a brush and professional cleaning spray to clean and disinfect them. I would not recommend ceramic tiles at all if you are going to be doing homemade pasta. Other than that – we anyway do not really cut our products directly on the countertops.
What is the best tile to use for a countertop?
There are two types of tiles: porcelain and ceramic tiles. They are both produced out of three main components: Clay as the main material (China clay, red clay, Ball clay, and Talc) fillers for mechanical strength and shape (quartz, Alumina, or Zirconia), and Feldspars that reduce the melting temperature and fuse all the materials together (Aluminosilicates, Albite, Orthoclase, and Anorthite). Due to the proportions of materials and the process of production, they have different qualities: porcelain is more durable, less porous, denser, heavier, and absorbs much less water than ceramic tiles. The ceramic tiles are easier to cut and install since they are less dense compared to porcelain.
The biggest difference between ceramic and porcelain tiles is the rate of water absorption: porcelain tiles absorb up to 0.5% of the moisture, while ceramic tiles’ water absorption rate ranges from 2 to 20%. That’s a huge difference when it comes to choosing the tiles for kitchen countertops. Porcelain tiles would mean less moisture and less mold in the long run. If you are still going for ceramic tiles, at least, choose the glazed ones.
Are ceramic tile countertops durable?
Ceramic tiles are quite durable, however, porcelain is a safer bet if you expect a high workload on the area you’re planning to lay your tiles on. The difference is due to the difference in the proportion of components. Both, porcelain and ceramic tiles are made of clay, fillers, and feldspars, but the mix differs between the two. The porcelain tiles are made of finer clay and have a higher percentage of Kaolinite, which makes them stronger. Porcelain tiles are pressed at a higher degree, than ceramic tiles. This makes them denser and less porous.
Ceramic tiles, as well as porcelain tiles, can be glazed or unglazed. Glazed tiles tend to be thinner, and more prone to cracking, but they are more moisture and stain resistant. Unglazed tiles are thicker, scratch and slip resistant.
For kitchens that are exposed to more workload, porcelain tiles would work better than ceramic tiles. Since the slipperiness is not important on the countertop, it is better to go for glazed tiles – they will be less prone to occasional stain and moisture absorption.
During the production process, the tiles are dried, and a pattern or a color is printed on top of them, before glazing and firing the tiles in a kiln. If the ceramic or porcelain tile gets scratched, it might reveal the color which is beneath the print: sometimes the tiles are made of red clay and a lighter color is printed on top of them.
Is ceramic or porcelain tile better for countertops?
Both ceramic and porcelain tiles are used in indoor areas, including the kitchens. However, when it comes to kitchen countertops, porcelain tiles are a better option because they absorb less moisture compared to ceramic tiles. Porcelain absorbs only up to 0.5% of the moisture, while the water absorption rate for ceramic tiles is 2-20%. Less water means less change for mold to grow in the long run.
If you still decide to go for ceramic tiles, choose the glazed one. I would recommend choosing the glazed option even for the porcelain tiles. The glazing makes the tile not only more water resistant but protects it from stains and scratches to some extent.
Are tile countertops heat resistant?
Both ceramic and porcelain tiles are fired in the kiln – that’s part of the manufacturing process. They have outstanding heat resistance. You can safely put hot pans or pots on your tiled countertop and be sure, they won’t get damaged. however, heat resistance does not mean resistance to mechanical damage. Both, ceramic and porcelain tiles have a pattern or a color printed on top of them before glazing and firing the tiles in a kiln. If the surface gets scratched, it might reveal the color which is beneath the print: sometimes the tiles are made of red clay and a lighter color is printed on top of them.
Are tile countertops hard to clean?
The surface of the ceramic or porcelain tiles is not difficult to clean: usually, a wet sponge or spraying regular kitchen cleaner would do the trick. What is difficult, is cleaning the grouts. You might need to use a gentle brush to help you out. Do not use any hard brush, such as metal – it will eventually damage the sealing and the grout, and loosen the tiles. Maintaining the kitchen countertop grouts includes yearly sealing combined with daily or weekly cleaning using a gentle brush and kitchen cleaner liquid.
What type of tile is best for kitchen countertops?
When it comes to design, the square tiles give a better visual experience, and more design options compared to rectangular ones. Ideally, you want to go for designs that look modern – 3D tiles give endless possibilities to upgrade the look of your kitchen using tiles, and they do look very cool. The size of small square tiles is usually 15X15cm or less.
Both ceramic and porcelain tiles are used in indoor areas, including the kitchens. However, when it comes to kitchen countertops, porcelain tiles are a better option because they absorb less moisture compared to ceramic tiles. Porcelain absorbs only up to 0.5% of the moisture, while the water absorption rate for ceramic tiles it 2-20%. Less water means less change for mold to grow in the long run.
If you still decide to go for ceramic tiles, choose the glazed one. I would recommend choosing the glazed option even for the porcelain tiles. The glazing makes the tile not only more water resistant but protects it from stains and scratches to some extent.
Can you use large tiles on countertops?
You can use large tiles on kitchen countertops. It means you will have less grout to clean. However, it depends, on what aesthetics you are looking for. Modern designs more often than not, use smaller square tiles, 15X15cm. However, this does not mean that larger tiles will look outdated. Go for high-quality material and you will achieve a clean modern look. Larger scale tiles allow the creation of a pattern that is not necessarily regular. Irregular, creative patterns work better in the case of large tiles than regular ones. In the case of large tiles on countertops, the same color grouts will look better. Ideally, you want to choose a color and surface of the sink as close to the tile surface as possible.
Here are some images for comparison:
ceramic tile in kitchen pros and cons
Ceramic tiles are a great material overall, however, there are pros and cons when choosing them as a countertop material.
Ceramic tiles pros:
- Natural material does not contain harmful chemicals and does not off-gas in the kitchen
- Moderately easy to install
- you can choose from an endless variety of colors and patterns
- A single tile can be easily replaced if damaged
- cleaning the tile surface itself is super easy
- The tiles are water and stain resistant
- Highly heat resistant
Ceramic tile cons:
- The biggest con is the maintenance and cleaning of the grouts: you might need a brush to keep the dirt and bacteria out of the grouts. A yearly sealing of the surface is also required.
- Sometimes, if it’s a DIY project, you might not install all the tiles straight.
- Some ceramic tiles absorb more water than porcelain
- Tile countertops are not suitable for cooking processes such as rolling out dough
- Ceramic tile countertops might not be the desirable material for all people, and it might affect the reselling of your house in the future. If that’s what you are planning, go for countertop options that are accepted by more people: quartz, marble, or granite.
Are rectangle or square tiles better?
Square tiles are better if you are going for small size ceramic tiles. However, in the case of large size tiles, go for rectangular tiles, but use mixed sizes instead of regular patterns. If you are going for small-scale square tiles, it is better to emphasize the pattern by using a different color for grout. In the case of large-scale rectangular tiles that compose a creative irregular pattern, it is better to choose the same color for grout as for the tiles, and go for a that looks very similar to the tile surface. This way the sink becomes an integral part of the pattern and it’s going to look quite cool and intentional. For large rectangular tiles, I would recommend using tiles with dark matte surfaces, or neutral color matte surfaces that look like natural stone slabs. For small square tiles, you can go for glazed tiling that can be white or colored.
Should backsplash and countertops be the same?
Backsplash and countertops do not necessarily have to be the same when it comes to shape, but if you are going for ceramic tiles for both, the color and surface of the tiles should be the same. The reason is that the tile grouts already divide the backsplash and countertop surfaces, and introducing extra details into the design, such as different colors or printed patterns might be too much for such a small space. Definitely recommend going for the same tiles for both, backsplash and countertops. Modern designs successfully unify different surfaces with tiling, including not only backsplash and countertops, but also dining corners, shelves, and kitchen islands.
How do you pick grout color for tiles?
Choosing the grout color for countertop tiles is super important. Through the color of the grout, you can make a design statement. The square small size white tiles are often combined with a grout color that emphasizes the pattern. However, when using larger tiles for your countertops, or tiles that have a natural tone (like beige, or neutral color tones), it is better to keep the grouts invisible by choosing the color that matches the tiles.
The reason is that modern designs, that use rectangular white tiles, are based on the idea of emphasizing this surface as a design statement through grout lines. However, if the design idea is to keep the color palette neutral and natural, adding a very stand-out grout color is just out of place.
Here are some good examples.
What is the best color for grout?
The nest color for grout is the color that fits the design idea. If the countertop with backsplash is meant to be a focal point or a key design element, then it must be emphasized with contrasting color grouts.
The square small size white tiles are often combined with a grout color that emphasizes the pattern. However, when using larger tiles for your countertops, or tiles that have a natural tones (like beige, or neutral color tones), it is better to keep the grouts invisible by choosing the color that matches the tiles.
The reason is that modern designs, that use rectangular white tiles, are based on the idea of emphasizing this surface as a design statement through grout lines. However, if the design idea is to keep the color palette neutral and natural, adding a very stand-out grout color is just out of place.
can grout get moldy?
Kitchen countertops are busy areas where due to moisture the grouts can get moldy. However, this is not true if you choose a high-quality grout material that has water-repelling qualities and acts as mold resistant.
There are many water and mold-resistant grout options on the market. The price for UniBond Triple Protect Anti-Mould Wall Tile Grout was 15 USD at the time of writing this article. Another professional high-quality colored water and the mold-resistant option is ARDEX FG 8, which is a Flexible Coloured Grout for Tile Joints 1 to 8 mm Wide.
Should grout be lighter or darker than tile?
If the countertop tiling is a design statement, then choose a grout color that contrasts the tile itself: darker grout for light color tiles, and lighter grout for dark tiles. If the kitchen’s overall color scheme is muted natural colors, then go for a grout color that is close to the tile color. There are many variations and color options for grout color that will help you achieve your design mission: create a design element that draws attention to the tiled surface, or that do not emphasize it.
Ceramic or porcelain tiles sometimes serve as alternatives to natural stone tiling on countertops. In those cases sometimes the designer might go for groutless aesthetics. In practice, it might not be the greatest idea, since the water might get under the tiles without grouts.
What size grout joints should I use?
For kitchen countertop tiles you should go for 1-3mm grout lines. The smaller, the better. Grout lines are considered to be more vulnerable and prone to damage than tiles. Therefore, minimizing the thickness of the grout lines is beneficial not only from a practical but also from a visual standpoint.
How much does it cost to tile a countertop?
Both, ceramic and porcelain tiles are extremely affordable, however, porcelain tends to be more expensive, when comparing products from same supplier. The price for ceramic tiles ranges from 35cents to 35 dollars per square foot, while porcelain prices range from 3 to 35 dollars per square foot.
On average, you might pay $1,200 per 30 square feet for ceramic countertops, including materials and labor. If you go for a machine-made tiles, expect to pay $480 per 30 square feet. For more sophisticated, handmade, glazed products you might pay as high as $2000 per 30 square feet.
This means that the cost for ceramic tile countertops, including materials and labor, is around 430USD-700USD per square meter, however, you can DIY the countertops and it will cost just material prices and your time.
ceramic tile kitchen countertop ideas
