There are a lot of countertop materials to choose from if you need a countertop replacement. What materials are good, which are longer lasting, which go with the kitchen interior the most, which material is reasonably priced, etc. Today, tile countertops will be discussed.
What Is Tile?
Tile is a man-made material which is mainly composed of ceramic stone, glass, baked clay, metal and mica. It is compressed into thin sheets and cut into different dimensions. Mica gives the tile its characteristic color. Tiles can mimic the appearance of any stone, which is why it is very popular among people. Tiles can look like marble, granite, ceramic stone, and quartz countertops. So, people tend to go for tiles rather than the real stones, because it is reasonable in price and tiles require less maintenance than other natural stones as well. Tiles are not only used in kitchen countertops, but they are also used in flooring as well.
Now that you know what tile is, let’s talk about its pros and cons.
Pros Of Tile Countertops
Tile, as mentioned previously, is a very reasonably priced material.
Many design Choices
It is very popular among people since it is in reach of most people and the best part about tiles is that it can be made to look like natural stone countertops, in almost a fraction of the actual cost, with lesser maintenance as well.
Lightweight
Tile is also a very lightweight material, so its handling is very easy and you can easily transport it from one place to another, without having the fear that it might break or get damaged.
Easy Installation
Another great thing about tiles is that its installation is very easy. You can easily get it installed without having to hire someone. All it requires is a strong adhesive and some patience. You really don’t want to mess up the installation process because it is quite hard to reverse things, if something goes wrong.
Colors
It is also available in a huge variety of colors so you are never low on option.
Easy Replacement
Its replacement is also easy, since you don’t have to remove the entire slab, but only the damaged tile and replace it with a new one. Tiles are also easy to clean, and since they are quite resistant to stains, tiles don’t require a lot of maintenance.
Cons Of Tile Countertops
Tiles are pretty much perfect if you just consider the pros. But there are certain downsides to it as well.
Don’t Give Better ROI
Tiles don’t add a lot of value to your house. So, if you are considering selling your house, thinking that tiles might add extra value to your home, you might be wrong, because it doesn’t appeal to potential buyers a lot. People usually prefer expensive stones installed as countertops when they are looking for homes, so this can be a huge drawback.
Seams
Another big drawback is that tiles are very prone to seams. Since they are small, there are a lot of seams in one tile countertop, so you need to make sure that these seams are out of plain sight. This can be hard if there are a lot of seams. You can only hide so much. So, the placement of the tiles need to be strategic so that the seams remain unnoticeable. Where there are seams, there will be small crevices as well, in which small food particles, bacteria and dirt can accumulate. You need to make sure that the seams are clean at all times, otherwise this can become a hygiene issue. What you can do is seal the surface with a sealant to ensure that bacteria stays out the tile.
Not Durable
Under a lot of heat, tiles can crack at random places. So, you should avoid putting extremely hot stuff like pots and pans directly on the countertop surface.
All in all, it is an okay material, which is only a bit resistant to heat, scratches, chips and breakage. A lot of budget-friendly countertop materials are not durable, and this one is also like them.
There you have it! Now you know everything there is to know about tile countertops. According to the pros and cons, you can decide if you want to go for tile countertops or not. Go to a granite company NC to see more countertop options.
