Whether choosing to renovate the kitchen or bathroom, ceramics are an excellent choice as they allow you to conceive designs as diverse as they are original. Available in a large variety of styles, ceramics make it easy to create custom pieces as they offer an infinite range of possibilities.
Ceramics encompass a wide range of products, so for the novice, it may be difficult to distinguish specific advantages and characteristics. To make an informed choice about the different options on the market, we’ve put together this article to help you choose the right ceramic for your renovation project!
The different types of ceramics and their features
Sandstone
Photo: Pixabay
Sandstone is classified as porcelain stoneware, a type of ceramic composed of a mixture of quartz, clay and feldspar. Quite versatile and resistant, it is suitable for both the kitchen and the bathroom. This is because it’s available with a non-slip finish, and thus safe to use in a bathroom. When it comes to ceramics, sandstone has the widest range of available colours and designs on the market. Another major benefit of this material is that it’s resistant to staining as well as water absorption.
Stretched sandstone is one of the popular options on the market. However, it’s important to note that this material has a more rustic finish. In this sense, the contours in the surface are irregular and therefore, the tiles do not come in uniform sizes. As with regular sandstone, stretched sandstone is a non-porous material and therefore very resistant to water and stains.
It also has a repertoire of designs and colours as vast and diverse as porcelain tiles and stoneware. Further, it has great resistance to wear and tear, making stretched sandstone ideal for surfaces that are treading on frequently. This type of ceramic is commonly found in tile form.
In both regards, sandstone is relatively easy to install, and in most cases, this will limit the need to hire a professional. When working in both the bathroom and the kitchen, this material is appropriate for installation as wall tiling or can be used as traditional floor tiling.
Terracotta
Terracotta is a special type of ceramic that is crafted from brown and red clays. Due to the large amount of iron deposit found in this material, it’s generally available in warm colours and tones such as reds and oranges. In most cases, installing a terracotta ceramic will involve a thin layer of limestone.
However, terracotta is an extremely porous material in its natural state. Therefore, it will be necessary to apply a water-repellent as well as an oil-repellent treatment in order to avoid water and greasy or oily products from penetrating the surface. This material is susceptible to stains, as well as mould growth. Although beautiful, to maintain its longevity, the process of caring for it is exceptionally important.
Earthenware is one type of terracotta that is a mixture of clay, limestone and sand with a particularly glossy finish. Offering a refined and classic appearance, its finish is waterproof. Therefore, this is one type of terracotta that is versatile for both the kitchen and the bathroom, as it doesn’t require any additional treatments following the installation. Further, this makes ongoing maintenance easy to carry out.
Machine cut terracotta tiles are another popular option. Constructed in a factory, these ceramic tiles are made into geometric patterns or uniform pieces. Due to their uniform shape and size, the installation process for a machine cut terracotta tile is much simpler than that of natural terracotta. If consistency is an issue for you, we’d suggest choosing this specific style.
Nevertheless, terracotta has a reduced strength when compared to other ceramics. It’s therefore not always advised to use this type of material on a floor. If you’re really in love with terracotta, we’d suggest creating a backsplash is ideal whether in a kitchen or a bathroom. It’s also possible to use this type of tiling to cover a small kitchen cabinet. Another option when it comes to the large family of terracotta are enamels with a glossy coating. Given their shine and their striking brilliance, this makes it the material of choice for the creation of a mosaic shower or bathroom tile.
Since the process of laying terracotta tiles is complex, we are strongly recommending that if you do choose this material, you work with a certified contractor for the installation itself. This project requires a sense of dexterity and need to take into account certain parameters that only a professional will really understand.
Porcelain
source: unsplash
We must admit that there is widespread confusion regarding the difference between porcelain and ceramic, but it can be helpful to think about these materials as cousins. They look alike but have significantly different characteristics and production methods. On one hand, porcelain is made with an argyle mix that is more refined than the one predominantly used in the production of ceramic.
The heating technique is also different, as porcelain is cooked at a much higher temperature. Consequently, tiles made of porcelain are often more sturdy and solid. Porcelain is significantly resistant to moisture and frost. Therefore, this is a great option if you’re working on an outdoor project, such as installing a backyard kitchen or poolside shower.
Price for a Ceramic Floor
On average, ceramic tiles can cost between $2 and $4 per square foot for tiles or $5 to $8 for tiles that pre-fabricated or cut. If you want to benefit from the services of a professional in ceramic laying, consider an extra cost of between $1.50 and $4 extra per square foot. Do note that these prices are an approximation for informational purposes.
Author: Karine Dutemple
Get 3 renovation quotes for your ceramic flooring project
RenoQuotes.com can help you get quotes for your flooring renovation project. If you submit your project to us, we’ll put you in contact with top-rated contractors. Fill in the form on the homepage (it only takes a few minutes), and you will get estimates from trusted professionals.
Dial 1-844 828-1588 to speak with one of our customer service representatives
Looking for something else?
Related articles
The latest industry news, interviews, technologies, and resources.
Editorial Team
•08 Nov 2023
Many couples, families and even those living alone struggle to keep a small bathroom organized, with all moving parts under control. The standard bathroom found in most households is snug, barely fitting a sink, shower and vanity comfortably. Maintaining all these fixtures plus a sense of aesthetic appeal can be a serious challenge. On top of these aspects, there's ergonomics. Luckily, we live in a modern world where designers have taken the time to come up with various solutions to these traditionally small spaces.
Editorial Team
•05 Mar 2025
Choosing to lay oak flooring in your home has a major aesthetic upside, as wood floors are considered a timeless classic: elegant, durable, and sleek. Specifically, oak flooring is a great option for those seeking a long-lasting and versatile material option.
Editorial Team
•08 Nov 2023
Renting excavation equipment is the best way to carry out construction work without having to purchase machinery. Especially considering that a rental service company will give you access to machinery you wouldn’t necessarily need on a regular basis, not to mention purchasing equipment is expensive. Here’s a deep dive into the matter to give you an idea of the costs involved in renting or purchasing heavy machinery. We’ll let you be the judge and jury of your potential savings.
Editorial Team
•08 Nov 2023
You may be of the mind that renovation is renovation. When considering the end result, this is the case but when it comes to the process itself, there are many different factors that weigh in. If you’re currently living in a condo and wanting to renovate, you’ll face certain limitations, possibilities and strategies for approaching it. In this article, we’re going to look at a condo kitchen renovation and all of what you should consider when renovating this space. This will help you to avoid unwanted surprises during the process.
Editorial Team
•22 Nov 2024
Living rooms are known as gathering areas, ideal for unwinding and fostering relaxation through ambiance-specific lighting. This living space should be as functional as it is comfortable, making the choice of a variety of lights key to enhancing the room's elegance. But, where do you begin?