Thankfully there are some great ways to enjoy the look of natural stone for a reduced price. Read on to learn about why granite kitchen tile is a wonderful choice:

More Affordable than Granite Slabs

With granite tiles you can achieve the attractive and upscale look of a solid slab but still get away with paying less than half of the price. This makes it a great choice for budget remodeling projects.

Easy to Clean and Maintain

While some natural stone tiles require yearly seals and expensive commercial products, granite tiles will typically be fine with weekly vacuuming and mopping with warm water and inexpensive detergent.

Strong and Durable

The biggest benefit to using granite tile on the counters, backsplash or even the floor is that it is very durable. It is hard to scratch, burn or even dent in most situations.

These are just a handful of the many advantages to using granite kitchen tile in the home. Visit directhomediscount.com for quality tile products and prices that help you stay within your budget.

Determine Your Tiling Budget

The absolute first step should be determining how much money you can set aside for the tiling of your kitchen. You will need to measure the space where the tiles will go, whether that is the countertop, the floor or the backsplash.

Consider the Uses and Traffic

Be realistic about what you want out of the kitchen tiles. If you have a large family and spend lots of time cooking, then choose a material that is durable and will hold up well to stains. Those who want a purely decorative kitchen can perhaps spend more on tiles like polished marble or slate.

Think About Appearance

The final step should be finding a tile that meets your budget and still fits into your decorative theme. Consider shape, size and color when making your choice.

By following these three steps, you can select the perfect kitchen tile for your own home. Visit directhomediscount.com for a great selection of tile and other home remodeling products.

Preparing for Your Kitchen Tile Project

You will need some special tools before you start the project. In addition to mastic and grout, you will also need a putty knife, mastic trowel, plastic tile spacers and a grout float. Tile nippers are appropriate for clipping off a small piece of tile, but a wet saw is recommended for larger tiles and bigger cuts. Invest in an abrasive stone tile to smooth out rough edges. You will also need a level, tape measure, construction pencils and a chalk line if you are dealing with a large area.

A Professional Kitchen Tile Project

The big difference between a professional job and everything else is that the professionals take their time with planning and preparation. It takes time to mark a grid on the floor or wall, but it will make the difference between straight lines and drifting tiles. A perfectly smooth surface must be created with the right preparation work, but it will reward you with a smooth installation.

When you are ready to add tile to your home, take the time to prepare like the professionals. Assemble the necessary tools and supplies before you start to help the job go more smoothly. When you take your time with all the preparation work, you can enjoy a finished project that looks professional.

DirectBuy offers tile for every room in your home at prices without the retail markup.

Add Medallions and Borders to Granite Kitchen Tile

The use of medallions and borders will make any tile job feel more luxurious and sophisticated. Medallions are ideal for rooms with large open spaces, or you can center or large medallion under a smaller kitchen island to draw more attention to the island. Use borders to highlight the spaces of your kitchen or draw the eye to any key areas.

Combine Materials for a Look that is Clever and Attractive

Granite does not have to be used alone. Granite floors look incredible with travertine counters, or you can add glass tiles to the backsplash for a look that is fun and will brighten the room. A few area rugs around the kitchen will soften the granite and help protect the tiles form falling objects in key areas.

Granite is a fantastic flooring choice for any home. Use granite tiles on your backsplash, floor or counters. Mix colors, add medallions and allow the granite to take center stage. You don’t have to stick with one color or material, and mixing several can create the dream kitchen you have been searching for.

Pros of Glass Mosaic Tiles

The biggest advantage of glass tile is that the small shapes add visual interest while the color brightens up any room. Choosing glass tile means that light will be reflected to add the illusion of space in a room. Glass mosaic tiles are a way to showcase your artistic ability, love of color and even personality. Glass tile is very easy to clean and requires no special seals.

Cons of Glass Mosaic Tiles

Unfortunately, there are also some drawbacks to glass mosaic tile in the kitchen. The smaller tiles can take longer to install than traditional tiles. In addition, glass mosaic tiles are often much more expensive than ceramic or porcelain alternatives.

With a better understanding of the pros and cons of glass mosaic kitchen tile, you can determine if it is the right material for your own home. DirectBuy offers glass tile and many other types to help you create the look you want in your home at prices you can afford.

While this traditional kitchen style can be very attractive in some homes, you should not feel limited to these basic tiles. If you plan to upgrade your kitchen, consider some of these popular kitchen tile trends:

Textured Tiles

Most tiles are flat because this makes them much easier to clean than textured tiles. However, some people are willing to put in a little extra effort for maintenance in order to achieve a truly one of a kind look with textured tiles.

Glass Tiles

Smaller glass tiles are a beautiful way to add light, brightness and colors to an otherwise ordinary kitchen. Consider using glass mosaic tiles as a border around the windows to reflect light or even along the wall for a strip of color.

Unusually Shaped Tiles

Gone are the days of only using square tiles in the kitchen. Consider rectangular or even hexagonal tiles on your kitchen backsplash for a focal point that draws in the eye.

These kitchen tile trends are just a few of the modern ways to upgrade your kitchen. DirectBuy offers a big selection of ceramic and natural types of tile for your home.

How Much Can I Spend on Tile?

Carefully plan out the budget you have available for tile in the kitchen. The cheapest options will typically be things like ceramic and porcelain. Granite, marble and travertine are all natural stone tiles that are the more expensive options to use in a kitchen.

Where Do I Plan to Use it?

Tiles can be used on the floor, the walls, the counters or the backsplash. You may want to stick with neutrals along the wall or on the floor and get more creative with the backsplash by using glass mosaic tiles or a more unusual color of tile.

What is My Decorative Style?

Choose tiles that fit in with the rest of the kitchen and the home as a whole, whether that is traditional or contemporary.

After answering these questions on selecting kitchen tile, anyone will be prepared to choose the right tile for their own home.

If you’re looking for travertine, granite, ceramic or slate tile, discover your options at DirectHomeDiscount.com.

Keeping Tile Stain-Resistant

Some stains, such as those made by acidic foods, will eat into the surface of the tile if left unattended. This is particularly important with stone tiles like marble, soapstone or limestone, which as softer than slate or granite. Never use acid-based cleaners on stone. Ceramic tile is more resistant to acidic stains.

When to Reseal or Regrout

Test stone tiles to see if they’re due for new sealant by putting water on a tile. If the water permeates the stone after ten minutes, it’s time to reseal. Regrouting tile is a can-do DIY project that can make kitchen tile look fresh and new. Using a grout saw makes quick work of the task. The dingy grout is scraped away and new grout applied.

Prevent mildew, grease and grime from accumulating on tile by frequent cleaning. Check stone tiles regularly to ensure their seal is still intact.

Wherever you choose to install tile in your home you will find the selection and savings easy on your budget at DirectBuy.

Meet the Functional Demands of the Application

When choosing kitchen tile types, function comes first. Unless you’re prepared to reseal, rebuff or restore marble tile periodically, for example, marble may not be the choice for your kitchen counters. If you have your heart set on natural stone, denser stones like granite or slate may be a better choice.

Enjoy an Abundance of Stylish Options

Today, even humble laminate tiles offer a wide range of decorative options. Some even mimic the look of stone. For its durability, ease of care and endless range of colors, patterns and textures, ceramic tile remains a popular choice.

Choose a material for your kitchen counters, walls and floors that meets the functional demands of your household. A broad selection of materials ensures that you’ll find a tile that meets your design demands too.

Kitchen tile for floors, walls, and counter tops can give you home a fantastic face lift and DirectBuy has the selection and savings to keep you within your budget.