Tiles are a popular flooring option for kitchens. They’re durable, easy to install, and they have low maintenance requirements.
Installing the best tile for your kitchen floor will completely upgrade your kitchen’s appearance, design, and overall mood.
Average Cost To Tile A Kitchen
One of the best ways to customize a kitchen is by installing new floors.
While there are many flooring options available for kitchens, tiles are the most popular.
Unlike other floors, tiles come in a variety of colors, shapes, patterns, and styles.
You can even combine different layouts to create a unique pattern.
What makes tiles the best flooring option for the kitchen is that they’re easy to clean, long-lasting, and ideal for high-traffic areas.
On average, the total cost to tile a kitchen is $1,741.
The minimum price you can expect to pay for a kitchen tiling project is $841, while the maximum is $2,712.
When it comes to the low-end vs high-end price range, the overall cost varies from $380 to $5,700 for the whole kitchen retiling project.
In terms of square footage, the materials required to tile a kitchen are estimated at around $5 per square foot.
The price for one square foot of materials can vary from $3 to $20.
Some types of tiles cost much more than others, but we’ll get to that later. Note that these prices only account for installing new tiles, they don’t include the process of removing old tiles.
Did you know? The reason tiles are so popular is because they’re resistant to moisture and they’re stain-proof. They don’t absorb odor or harbor bacteria when cleaned properly.
Kitchen Floor Tile Cost Breakdown
If you have decided to install new tiles in your kitchen, you need to be aware of all the varying expenses.
As with all home improvement projects, the total cost depends on several factors. The most important ones are the size of your kitchen, the type of tiles, the cost of labor, and the tile rating.
Other factors that can determine the overall price are prep work, location, removing old tiles, the complexity of the project, and ongoing maintenance.
There are three main types of tiles you can install in your kitchen, and those are porcelain, ceramic, and stone tiles.
Ceramic tiles are the most affordable option, as they can cost from $1 to $15 per square foot, but they’re usually on the lower end of the scale.
Porcelain tiles are slightly pricier, with the average cost per square foot around $3 to $35.
Natural stone tiles are the most expensive option, especially marble, granite, and limestone tiles that cost from $7 to $20 per square foot.
Even though some natural stone tiles can be more affordable than porcelain tiles, professional installation costs more for natural stone stiles.
Stone tiles also cost more because they come in larger sizes.
Speaking of professional installation, local tile contractors can either charge labor per square foot or by the hour.
Labor usually comes in around $3 to $15 per square foot. One hour of floor tiling can cost from $60 to $120.
Don’t forget that you need to pay extra if you need the old tiles removed.
The cost of removing old tiles depends on the tiling company you hired, but the average cost is $5 per square foot for old tile removal.
If it’s a simple floor removal project, you can pay as little as $3 per square foot, but if the subsurface needs to be repaired before the new tiles can be placed, the price jumps to $7 per square foot.
| Installing Tile Floors | Cost |
|---|---|
| Average Total Cost | $1,741 |
| Minimum Total Average Cost | $841 |
| Maximum Total Average Cost | $2,712 |
| Low-End Project Cost | $380 |
| High-End Project Cost | $5,700 |
| Average Price per Square Foot | $11.50 ($3 to $20) |
| Labor Cost per Square Foot | $3 to $15 |
| Labor Cost per Hour | $60 to $120 |
| Removing Old Tiles | $5 ($3 to $7) |
What Type Of Tile Is Best for A Kitchen Floor?
When choosing tiles for your kitchen floor, you have three options: ceramic, porcelain, and natural stone.
We already talked about their average prices, so now we’ll discuss each tile in more detail.
| Types of Tiles | Price per Square Foot |
|---|---|
| Ceramic | $1 to $15 |
| Porcelain | $3 to $35 |
| Natural stone | $7 to $20 |
Ceramic Tiles
Ceramic tiles are made from clay and then baked so they can harden.
Ceramic tiles are available in virtually any shape and color, and they’re a popular choice for both floors and walls. Ceramic tiles can even be embossed, glazed, and hand-painted.
Ceramic tiles are softer than porcelain tiles, which makes them easier to cut and install.
Ceramic tiles are durable, scratch-resistant, and their color won’t fade, even if they’re exposed to direct sunlight.
With ceramic tiles, you won’t have to worry about spills and messes that tend to happen in the kitchen.
Porcelain Tiles
Porcelain tiles are also very popular for kitchen floors and walls.
Porcelain tiles are made to mimic natural stone, and they’re much stronger than ceramic tiles.
What makes porcelain tiles harder and more durable is that they’re baked at a higher temperature.
Porcelain tiles are even tough enough to withstand outdoor settings.
The best thing about porcelain tiles is that they’re 100% waterproof.
Porcelain tiles can be slippery when wet, but it’s possible to find non-slip variants.
Did you know? Some porcelain tiles are textured. Due to their rough surfaces, they may not be the best option for your kitchen floor. Instead, they’re a much better fit for walls.
Natural Stone Tiles
Natural stone tiles are the premium option that offers a unique look and unmatched durability.
The most popular types of natural stone tiles include marble, granite, limestone, onyx, clay, pebble, sandstone, basalt, and slate.
These stone tiles are beautiful, especially marble, which has gotten popular in the past couple of years.
The reason natural stone tiles are so expensive is that they’re difficult to install. Not to mention the stone tiles require sealant, which costs an additional $1 to $3 per square foot.
Picking The Best Tile For Your Kitchen Floor
Now that you’re familiar with the different types of tiles you can use for your kitchen floor, it’s time to decide which flooring option meets all your requirements.
These are some of the factors that should be taken into consideration when choosing tiles for your kitchen floor.
- Strength and Durability
Your kitchen floor must be durable enough to withstand the constant pressure of foot traffic and heavy kitchen appliances and cabinets.
There are five strength classifications that determine the durability level of tiles. Class I tiles should only be used for walls, while Class III tiles are ideal for countertops.
You’ll want to go above Class IV for your kitchen floor, which are tiles suitable for all residential applications.
Class V tiles are the strongest, and they’re usually used for commercial and industrial floors.
When picking a tile for your kitchen floor, make sure to check the tile rating with the manufacturer or distributor.
- Water Resistance
You can choose a tile based on its moisture resistance.
When it comes to tile porosity ratings, there are four categories: non-vitreous, semi-vitreous, vitreous, and impervious.
The final category, impervious, refers to the least absorbent tiles, which have a porosity rating of less than 0.5%.
Porcelain and high-quality ceramic tiles are vitreous, and they have an absorbency rating of 3%.
Some top-rated porcelain tiles can also be impervious, making them ideal for areas that are directly exposed to water.
Pro Tip: Look for unglazed tiles that have an absorption rate of 0.5% or glazed tiles with a 3% absorption rate for your kitchen floor.
- Maintenance Requirements
The kitchen is a room where there’s going to be a lot of cooking, preparing food and washing the dishes, which leads to spilling, stains, and making a mess. That’s why you need low-maintenance tiles that are easily cleaned.
Both ceramic and porcelain tiles are generally easy to maintain. You just need to clean them with a damp mop when they get dirty, and that’s it.
Conversely, natural stone tiles require more maintenance than ceramic and porcelain tiles. It’s important to seal stone tiles upon installation and reseal them every six months.
When you consider their high price range, natural stone tiles might not offer the best value for the money.
- Ease of Installation
Some types of tiles are easier to install than others. If you want to install porcelain tiles, you’ll have to hire a professional.
Installing porcelain tiles requires special tools and skills, and if you have no experience in tiling, it’s not a good idea to treat it as a DIY project.
Ceramic tiles are easier to install since they’re lightweight and softer than porcelain.
The complexity of the installation may not seem like an important factor, but it could impact the total price of the project.
You might be considering a DIY installation, but installing tiles can be an extremely difficult project that is best left to professionals.
- Budget
For many homeowners, their budget controls the extent of the home improvement project.
If you’re looking for a budget-friendly flooring option, ceramic tiles are the way to go.
If you want to invest in a more durable kitchen floor, you can choose from different types of porcelain and even natural stone tiles.
Is Porcelain Or Ceramic Tile Better For A Kitchen?
Porcelain and ceramic are very similar, so the choice between these two types of tiles mainly boils down to personal preference.
People often think porcelain and ceramic tiles are the same because they’re made and installed the same way. They’re even topped with the same type of surface glazing.
Porcelain and ceramic tiles have similar advantages and disadvantages, but they are not the same.
Since they’re made at a higher temperature, porcelain tiles are slightly more durable and scratch-resistant than ceramic tiles.
It’s the same reason porcelain tiles are more expensive than ceramic tiles.
While ceramic tiles are a great flooring option for the kitchen, porcelain is simply better.
Not only are porcelain tiles stronger, but they’re more solid throughout, which makes them less susceptible to cracking under heavy furniture.
Porcelain tiles can resist moisture better, making them the ideal tiling option for kitchens and bathrooms.
Which Color Tiles Are The Best For Kitchen Floor?
The great thing about kitchen floor tiles is that they come in various colors and patterns.
You can choose a plain color or an intricate mosaic design for your kitchen floor. It’s even possible to combine different colors and patterns to create a unique look.
The color you want for the kitchen floor should complement the entire room and match the color of the cabinets, appliances, table, etc.
Adding bright-colored tiles to your kitchen floor will make the room look more spacious. This is a great solution for smaller kitchens that may feel cramped.
If you want reddish or brownish tiles, you can install terracotta tiles, which are a type of clay tile.
It’s possible to add tiles to the backsplash, which can be gradient or similar in color.
Another option is to mix different colors for a vintage or rustic effect.
The black-and-white tile combination is classic, adding a pop of color to the kitchen with curtains, towels, and appliances.
Should you go for hexagon tiles, you can mix three colors.
Mixing other colors, like white and blue or white and yellow, will create a Mediterranean vibe and brighten the room.
If you want your kitchen to appear more luxurious and high-end, several types of natural stone tiles can help you achieve this effect.
Marble tiles are extremely popular for white and minimalistic kitchens, but they’re some of the priciest tiles on the market.
What Flooring Is Most Durable for A Kitchen?
The good news is that ceramic, porcelain, and natural stone tiles are all extremely durable. But if we had to pick one out of all three types, porcelain would be the clear winner.
Porcelain tiles are simply denser and more impact-resistant than any other type of tile.
Did you know? If the tiles are installed properly, they can last a lifetime. If you take care of your tile kitchen floor, they can last for at least 100 years.
Choose The Best Tiles For Your Kitchen Floor
When it comes to kitchen tiles, there are hundreds of tile varieties you can choose from.
Whether you want ceramic, porcelain, or natural stone tiles, each type comes in different colors, shapes, and styles. Just make sure you pick a tile that’s durable, low-maintenance, and that complements the kitchen’s ambiance.
