Allowing dirt, moisture and germs of any kind to collect on tile countertops can make the surface very unsanitary. By using the appropriate cleaning solutions and cleaning methods to keep tile and grout clean, you can avoid anything compromising the cleanliness of your tile countertop.
Kitchen Countertops
While many homeowners reserve tile for floors and backsplashes, tile countertops can be an excellent—and affordable—option. Ceramic tile is impervious to heat and water, and when properly glazed, it won't stain.
Mix 1/4 cup bleach in 2 cups water, and add to a spray bottle. Spray the tile countertop with the bleach solution, making sure to liberally cover the grout lines if applicable. Allow the bleach solution to sit for 5-10 minutes.
Tile countertops were hugely popular in the '70s and '80s. Now they're making a comeback, albeit in more modern, minimally styled installations. Even if you have tile that's been there since before you were born, you can make it look good.
There are several budget-friendly alternatives worth considering, such as tile kitchen countertops. Sure, the retro idea might be less conventional, but it's practical, durable, and, most importantly, one of the more affordable options around. So, if you want beautiful counters without breaking the bank, read on.
Cover It With Concrete
If your tile countertop is seriously dated, paint or decals may not be enough to help it. But you still don't have to rip it out and replace it. Instead, use self-leveling concrete to cover the entire surface and create a smooth, modern look for your countertop.
Ceramic tile is affordable, easy to install and very low maintenance. It is also waterproof and able to withstand high temperatures from hot dishes. If you choose ceramic tile for your kitchen countertops, you should be aware that ceramic tile can crack or chip if heavy objects are dropped on it.
Known as the most durable type of tile on the market, porcelain is harder, denser, tougher, and less porous than ceramic tile. It also has a very low absorption rate, meaning it's virtually impervious to water damage, even after prolonged exposure.
Cleaning: Retsinas likes using a mix of warm water and mild dish soap for everyday cleaning, following up with a microfiber towel to shine up the stone. Avoid abrasive or acidic cleaners, which can strip the sealer and etch the stone.
Ceramic tile is a strong middle-of-the-road option for new countertop options. It's durable, comes in a vast number of colors and sizes and is affordable to purchase in bulk. And it's also particularly friendly for a DIY project if you want to create your new counters yourself.
Gauged porcelain tile is lightweight, affordable, and only 1/8” thick. It is nonporous, etch-resistant, heat-resistant, and stain-resistant, making it an ideal choice for kitchens and bathrooms.
Unlike natural stone, laminate, or solid surface (made of mineral dust and resins), tile offers endless creative possibilities for your kitchen countertop—from simple square patterns to elaborate mosaics.
Hard, dense, and solid, porcelain is resistant to most heavy stresses and can even be used in commercial environments. Be aware, though, that the hardness of porcelain can make it slightly more brittle than standard tiles, which means they can be more susceptible to cracking.
Porcelain tiles have a fine-grained finish that is smoother than the finish on ceramic tiles. So, if the finish is slightly bumpy or coarse when you touch it, you're dealing with non-porcelain (ceramic) tile. If the tiles are already glazed, flip them over and look at the unglazed underside.
Laminate countertops are the easiest kitchen countertop to maintain. Once installed, all you will need to do is clean them with mild soap and water. No additional maintenance is required.
It is highly non-porous, thus proving to be the perfect option for a kitchen slab. It is available in multiple shades of light and dark colours, giving many choices to the buyer.
For countertops that will see heavy use in a wet location, install cement backerboard over the plywood base, and a trowel-applied or sheet membrane, before installing tile.
A laminate countertop is an acceptable base for ceramic tile, but think carefully before you attempt it. If your counter has curved edges, as most do, you'll have to grind off the raised bead at the lip with a belt sander and you won't be able to tile the backsplash without cutting off the curved top edge.
Can you put contact paper over tile? Yes. That's what you see in this example, of course, it's a little easier to poke a hole in it than if it was a solid surface, but even with this terribly uneven and popping-up tile, we had no problems with contact paper over tile.
Con: They're not the most durable.
Though heat-resistant and (to a point) scratch-resistant, tile countertops can also chip. Ceramic is much softer than natural stone, Baeza points out, and is therefore especially susceptible.