Should You Use Ceramic or Stone Tiles for Your Kitchen Splashback?

Two common types of splashback tiles that you may be torn between are ceramic and stone. Which should you use for your kitchen renovation? To help you decide, here are several factors to keep in mind.

Natural Ambience

Something you may want to incorporate into your design is nature-inspired materials. Being an organic substance, stone is perfect. It has variations in colours and textures as many organic substances do, and stone has dusky colours. A kitchen that is reminiscent of nature can feel calming.

Ceramic tiles, on the other hand, are created by humans, and they have human-crafted colours and textures. But these tiles do use natural clay materials, and they can have an earthy appearance depending on their design. Additionally, ceramic tiles can be treated to mimic natural materials such as stone.

Plus, ceramic tiles can emulate timber as well, which will give your splashback a unique look. You wouldn't want to put real wood on a splashback area, as it's sensitive to moisture damage. But ceramic tiles are water-resistant, giving you the best of both worlds.

Maintenance

Something you need to consider is the maintenance that different splashbacks require. If you lay stone tiles, they'll require sealing every year or so. Stone is hardy, but it's generally porous. This means water and food can infiltrate the surface and possibly leave stains. A sealant, though, forms a non-permeable barrier that will repel foodstuffs and drink from seeping inside.

One thing that you need to maintain with tiles, whether they're stone or ceramic, is the grouting. The grout between the tiles can grow grimy and become a trouble spot. So you must be on the lookout and clean them regularly and thoroughly to keep the grout fresh. You can make the splashback easier to care for by choosing large tiles, which will require fewer grout lines.

Versatile Design

You may want tiles for the splashback that are versatile with respect to design. Stone comes in a wide range of colours and patterns to blend with different kitchen palettes. However, stone tends to fit in with traditional, country, and classic aesthetics. It may not always suit a modern aesthetic, though you could opt for stone tiles with a relatively uniform colour that will look at home in a minimal and contemporary space. In any case, few materials match the natural beauty of pieces of stone.

Ceramic tiles come in a massive range of designs and can work in different kitchens. You can even install ceramic tiles that simulate grey concrete if you want an industrial look. Plus, you can opt for white or charcoal tiles and install matching coloured grout so the splashback appears seamless and neutral. Overall, both stone and ceramic are attractive and practical materials, so it's up to which you prefer and which suits your budget.

For more information, contact a local company, like Johnson Home Improvements.