In the decoration of modern cuisine, unconditional leader is tile. To create a stylish and at the same time functional premises approaches to the solution of the problem need to be carefully thought out, to study all the technical characteristics of the material. The right choice will allow for a long time not to care about the change of the cladding, getting from the successful design the benefit and aesthetic pleasure.
- Moisture resistance
Unlike the board, linoleum, laminate, tiles are not terrible flooding.
- Strength
You can put massive furniture, the coating withstands strong mechanical effects. The object that has been dropped, of course, on condition that the tiles fit according to the rules, will break up sooner.
- Durability and heat resistance
The tile will last for half a century, no matter what temperature regime is used, the appearance will remain unchanged. Near the hob, PVC panels are deformed, and the tiles do not melt, do not light up.
- Large selection of sizes, textures, palettes
Given the specifics of the premises, the taste of its owner, the tile is chosen among the endless variety of colors, patterns, ornaments. The surface is glossy or matte, imitates the texture of stone, wood or glass. The sun's rays do not change the brightness of red or blue.
- The possibility of replacing individual elements
If the damage happens, the cover does not replace the whole, but only the damaged section.
- Ecological compatibility
The material is harmless, with the passage of time, under the influence of temperature, no hazardous substances do not emit, the electric current does not conduct.
The tile has also disadvantages. Some people turn themselves into a plus, approaching the issue thoughtfully and competently:
- High price
Only the specialist can work independently with the material, therefore the cost of professional services is added to the price of the tile. Wallpaper and painting will be cheaper. Tiles, unlike them, will serve for decades.
- Do not muff sounds.
The problem is solved in the process of laying, if you take care of the presence of a special layer.
- Material is cold
But it has a high thermal conductivity, so the "warm floor" easily eliminates the problem.
- Easily slip
Exit - choose a variant with a rough texture or treat the surface with a special anti-slip compound.
- Replacement of the cladding is a difficult and dirty work
Choose a color that you do not want to get rid of in a couple of years, design to the smallest detail, so as not to spend money on rework.
Choice and types
Developing the design of walls, floors and even the ceiling in the kitchen of an apartment or a private house, modern trading floors put forward an immense number of proposals. Before deciding, the buyer needs to create a project of the room, take into account its size, environment, the combination of finishing material with furniture, appliances, lighting, other elements of decor.
In the enthusiasm to close all free space tile it is important not to overdo it, do not create from the kitchen some kind of toilet or operating room.
Among the types of tiles are distinguished:
- Ceramic;
- A democratic price, a rich choice, is easily combined with other species;
- Porcelain tiles;
Durable, looks like a stone. Used in the finish of the floor, from the top without damage put heavy furniture, appliances. Solid and ductile due to the concrete and sulfur in the composition.
- Glass.
With a glossy or matte surface, colored or transparent, requires special care in the care.
When buying, pay attention not to the following characteristics:
- Class of abrasion resistance. If the tile is to be laid on the floor, it should not be lower than PEI;
- Water resistance (from 3%);
- Focus on the coefficient of friction in 0.75%;
- Optimal grade - the first;
- The designation AA means the highest resistance to the effects of chemistry, bacteria. Aggressive environment of the kitchen is not terrible;
- Color, size, texture - at the discretion of the owner of the room.
Choose options with averages. Better materials do not always increase practicality, only attract unjustified costs.
Too saving is also not worth it. Products of the first grade suggest the presence of up to 5% of the marriage in the batch, and the third grade allows up to a quarter of the defective specimens.
With the help of a master or focusing on the photo in the network, calculate the area of the proposed cladding, its possible expansion on the surrounding surfaces. A visual image in the form of a picture or an electronic version will help to better relate the combination of sizes and colors.
Having decided on the design and choice of tiles for kitchen areas, begin to calculate the amount of material. Its number must exceed the sufficient volume of interest by 10-15. Surplus will be useful in case of marriage, fight. You do not need to be too resourceful. If the tiles after the repair will be a lot, back to the store it may not be accepted.
Calculating the required amount of material, relate the size of the surface to the size of the tile itself, choose the one that should not be cut. Fitting will add to the hassle, dirt and material costs. Drawing on the tile, too, does not always allow cutting.
At the time of purchase, the quality of the goods in each package should be carefully checked, compare the specimens. There are inconsistencies in shades, texture.
Pay attention to whether the tiles will be convex or concave surfaces, whether there are pushes, ledges, arches in the room. In such places do not use large tiles, you will need a mosaic version. Consider the composition, where friezes and borders will appear.
Ways of laying
Before work determine the type of tiles, quantity, way of laying. It is recommended to decompose the test fragment and see if the trimming is done correctly, whether the calculations are correct with the quantity. When choosing the method of laying, the features of the area, the shape of the decorated surface are taken into account.
In addition to the traditional, there are such popular options:
- Parquet principle
Not everyone will allow himself to have parquet at home. In addition, in the kitchen parquet is impractical. He is afraid of mechanical loads, pollution, moisture, requires careful care, quickly loses sight. Tiles have incomparably higher performance. Ceramic granite slabs successfully imitate the tree of even valuable and rare species. Services specialist in laying natural parquet is much more expensive than the services of a master tiler.
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The options for laying out tiles for parquet are set. In any method, they use the method of seamless computation. Otherwise, the "parquet" will look sloppy, to give the impression of withered wood.
The novice master will be able to independently decompose the tiles in the house deck way. Classic - the layout of herringbone, in a straight line or diagonally, simulating a combination of different types of wood. "Christmas tree" can be double, triple, which is technically easy to implement, but looks much richer.
Parquet laying is a network of two and three breeds, Pavlovsky, Swedish. In St. Petersburg, Versailles had its own drawings of interlacing, which are now also being copied.
Unusually and effectively looks the drawing "well", in which rectangular shape tiles are laid around the square element. Elements have a different size, thickness, color, their appearance is very diverse, but invariably makes a strong impression.
- Diagonal mode
The installation of tiles is done in two ways: along the wall or diagonally. The latter is more difficult to do, but this method is more common, since it is visually able to expand the space. It is used both on the floor surface and on the wall.
If you put a small space "boar" of light tones in the diagonal direction, while picking up a non-contrasting grout, the room visually moves apart, it seems more spacious.
For the specialist, the main thing at the beginning of the job is to maximize the surface level and set the packing direction in the right direction. To do this, in the place of start lay equal segments along the walls. At the point of their connection, a reference point for the first tile is obtained. The work begins not with a piece, but with a whole tile. Use a square tile.
- Mosaic method
Mosaic tiles differ not only visually, the difference in size, the shape of fragments. These squares are smaller and larger, rectangles and circles, arbitrary shapes, a mix of colors. Basis - paper from the front side, which is removed after gluing. Or fragments are united by a lattice from the inside, on it the tile and is fastened. The material for making such decor is chosen glass, ceramics, stone.
With the help of a mosaic create an independent interior, complement it, use elements as a decorative insert. The scope of the mosaic is extensive. Miniature allows you to trim small and hard-to-work areas, lay out the ceiling, furniture, arched vaults, the area around the sink, borders, partitions.
- Imitation of brick masonry
If you want a kitchen in the antique Greek style, loft or Provence, it is not necessary to bring home a brick. With this role, the clinker tile handles, combined with wallpaper, plaster, with a different kind of tile, household appliances, metal and glass.
Used for finishing doorways, fireplaces. On the floor is not subject to abrasion, does not slip, it is well cleaned, has high thermal insulation properties. The main colors are white, gray, beige, terracotta and brown. The surface is rough-hewn, smooth, rough. The clinker is released in the form of a square or rectangle, thin, thick, heavy or light. It is universal, because helps to realize any designer fantasies.
To care in the kitchen for coating it was easier, it is covered with glaze. In budgetary versions, use plaster tiles. It is not so durable, to prolong its operation, it is treated with a silicone compound or a polymer varnish.
Read also: Kitchens with gas boiler: design - questions and solutions 
- Seam in the seam
One of the simplest and fastest facing technologies. Due to the strict verticality and horizontality of the rows of tiles 100/100 the space visually expands, becomes more orderly.
The master does not need pre-markup. The surface of the floor or wall will be clearly divided in rows of tiles. The slightest bias in one direction or the other will spoil the view, so in the process of work you will need a gon, a plumb and a level. Also it is necessary to monitor the observance of the same thickness of the joints.
A popular idea is a black and white floor composition in a spacious room.
For the floor
The most wear-resistant specimens are selected for the kitchen. Ceramic tiles or granite tiles are ideal. The main thing is to maintain harmony with furniture, walls, the color of the surface of the countertop.
The design solution can be laconic, the floor will act as a background for the kitchen set and other accessories, or it can become a bright central element of the decor. In an apartment with a small kitchen do not lay on the floor a dark tile, a light finish will add sun and air.
Glossy monophonic surface for the kitchen does not fit, makes the slightest debris and spots visible. A matt granular structure is preferred.
Zoning
The kitchen can be divided into zones using light, color, combining different finishing materials. The working area is usually done using tiles. The dining room can be laminated. Sometimes designers share space, applying tiles for finishing, but using a different color scheme.
Divide the zones and keep harmony, working with shades of the same color. Kitchen-living room decorated using contrasting.
If you allow apt. m, on the floor of the dining room or along the working area, an unusual ornament or geometric pattern is collected, there are many options. Simulated with the help of tile joining different coatings, the interior of the most simple kitchen is transformed into an interesting and attractive.
The problem of cold floor can be solved with the help of heating elements.
For walls
The design of the kitchen allows the walls to be tiled completely or partially. The main thing is the combination with the headset, the correct layout scheme. Whether the walls are monochrome or sustained in two or three colors, depends on the taste of the master, the general idea.
In modern kitchens use a coating that imitates wood, metal, textiles. Bold contrasting colors, original prints are intriguing. On a motley background, the best companion will be neutral light or even white furniture with a glossy surface. Figured relief looks impressive with the most straightforward color solution.
For the apron
The finishing of the working area should not only be functional, so that fat and soot are well washed from it. The apron will attract attention with a non-standard form, an interesting way of packing. You can paint it yourself, buying a special paint in the shop for artists.
It will be bright and unusual to look like a special photopanno with a plot that takes into account the specifics of the room. A stove in the kitchen will add individuality and sophistication to the room.
