Tile countertops also have grout lines which can become stained with spills, so it is worth bearing this in mind if you are considering them for a kitchen countertop.
#Tiled kitchen island crack#
While they can be easily wiped clean, glazed ceramic tiles can crack or chip with heat or impact from heavy items causing them to need replacing porcelain is a far tougher option.
Tiles can be a fabulous way to bring a decorative look to a countertop, offering the chance to create myriad unique looks, but there are some drawbacks.
Not only will these bring wow factor, they will also inject movement and life into spaces that can sometimes run the risk of looking a little harsh and soulless. Tile can be an eye-catching device to make a feature of a kitchen island countertop – to add drama to a black and white kitchen consider black zellige tiles which have beautiful reflective qualities due to their handcrafted manufacture. Blend your countertop with your backsplash 'It's best to use cement-based grout suitable for thin gaps of around 0.5mm to 2mm and to water the grout down slightly.' 6. When it comes to installing zellige tiles, 'they are normally laid as closely as possible, but due to variations in flatness and thickness they will always have a little gap,' explains Jerome Miller, tile expert and advisor at Mosaic Factory (opens in new tab). Used over kitchen countertops, they're a great way to bring a Moroccan feel to a kitchen. The handmade process means no one tile is the same, with each displaying differences in size, shine, depth of glazing, so when laid together they create a beautiful textural effect. Clay tiles handcrafted in Morocco, they come in an array of different colors from pearly grays to vibrant turquoise and boast beautiful variations in tone and texture. If you're planning to tile a countertop then zellige tiles make a beautiful choice due to their rich surface texture.