In our last post we talked about the types of kitchen flooring most used in construction and remodeling projects. And, among all the ones we saw, there is one that usually generates dozens of questions; We are talking about ceramics for the kitchen bathroom remodel Waukesha.
The reality is that kitchen ceramics are one of the most popular coatings, as they offer resistance to frequent use and a practically infinite variety of designs to enhance the style of any kitchen. In addition, they have a layer of enamel that protects them from humidity and makes them easy to clean.
In short, ceramic is a dream material for the kitchen. But, precisely because of the great variety that exists on the market, choosing ceramics for the kitchen can become somewhat complex. Don’t worry, because we have created this guide so that you can get it right when purchasing your coverings. Take note!
What ceramics are used for cooking?
Currently, there are different types of kitchen ceramics that you can use, such as:
- Decorated ceramics
- glazed stoneware
- Porcelain stoneware
- Porcelain tiles
Now, although any of these ceramics are ideal for the kitchen, the choice will fall on certain criteria that we will see below. Of course, you should always consider the particular needs of your construction or remodeling project, but these aspects will give you a solid guide to choosing one kitchen tile over another.
What to take into account when choosing ceramic kitchen coatings?
Porosity level
Porosity is the volume of the air capsules that remain in each ceramic paste after firing. The more porous a ceramic coating is, the greater its ability to contain moisture.
As you can imagine, the level of porosity of kitchen ceramics should be as minimal as possible , because this way you ensure that you have a coating that is more resistant to water, oil or food stains, and also easier to clean.
The kitchen ceramics with the lowest level of porosity are porcelain tiles, followed by porcelain stoneware. Because? During its manufacturing, its paste is cooked at high temperatures and with greater pressure, causing the water capsules to evaporate more uniformly.
However, glazed stoneware and vitrified tiles are also good alternatives, as they have gone through a process in which some chemicals are added to reduce their porosity.
Endurance
The resistance of kitchen ceramics can be evaluated from different perspectives such as:
- Resistance to frost and sudden changes in temperature
- Hardness or resistance to shocks
- Resistance to human traffic
- Resistance to household products
As a curious fact, there are numerous technical resistance criteria that characterize the different types of ceramic coatings. For example, resistance to breakage, surface abrasion or shredding. But, to keep things simple, let’s keep the conversation in general terms.
So, if you know that the kitchen will be one of the most used rooms in the home or that it is possible that family members drop heavy objects and do not carry out frequent maintenance, porcelain tile will be the best choice to cover floors, countertops or kitchen walls.
But, if the family is more careful, you can choose any other ceramic model for kitchen counters, walls or floors.
Design and style
Since the ceramic kitchen models that we have seen have similar characteristics in terms of the level of porosity and resistance — and advances in the manufacture of glazed tiles or stoneware are causing their disadvantages compared to porcelain or porcelain stoneware to be reduced every time. more—, one of the decision criteria that will have the most weight is the design.
And, depending on the interior design style of the kitchen, you can choose between different textures, finishes, formats and colors. The variety in any type of kitchen ceramic is wide and you will have no problem finding an alternative that adapts to the style you have in mind, whether it is a modern , industrial, American or traditional kitchen .
To give you an idea, these are some of the options you find on the market:
- Textures: at Duomo you find kitchen floor and wall coverings made of imitation natural wood, concrete, marble, metal, rust, stone, among others. Check our catalog!
- Finishes: we also have kitchen ceramics with smooth matte or glossy finishes, textile effect finishes or 3D effect finishes ; The latter are in trend, since the relief favors the sensation of softness to the touch and the depth of space.
- Formats: depending on the design you have in mind, you can choose between rectangular, square or meter-shaped kitchen ceramics; in large, medium or small sizes; with rounded or ground edges.
- Colors: There are countless shades of kitchen ceramics. Now, depending on the size of the kitchen available, you will know how to choose the color of the ceramic. If you have a small space, light tones such as whites, light grays and beiges will help make the space more spacious.
Budget
Finally, we have one of the most determining factors when choosing a coating: the budget. Just so you know, the prices of kitchen ceramics vary according to the type (whether it is porcelain or stoneware, for example), the quality of the coating and its demand.
You see, a coating from European suppliers, such as Mirage or Fioranese , which manufacture kitchen ceramics with the highest quality raw materials and with exclusive designs, is not the same as other suppliers who produce en masse. Likewise, a covering that is in trend will be more expensive compared to one that is not in trend.