Factors to consider when using natural kitchen tiles

No one can deny the fact that kitchen tiles made from natural materials look beautiful. The texture and naturally random patterns on their surface make a beautiful feature in any home – small or large. However, natural materials used for tiles do have their shortcomings but if you are prepared for them and can give the time and care that they need they will look beautiful for years to come.

Most natural occurring stone is in fact porous, and this means that they will absorb liquids. In a kitchen this is an important feature to take in to account for if you are tiling nearby a cooking area there will be steam and no doubt on occasion oil spitting. An untreated natural tile will quickly absorb the oil and there really is nothing that can then be done. If therefore you are deadest on having natural tiles in your kitchen do make sure that you treat the tiles with the correct penetrating sealer. You need to apply it a few times to ensure that the tile has been fully coated. You really want to seal the tile before you stick them to the wall as it will make removing any adhesive from their front face much easier and is less likely to stain them.

Naturally occurring slate tiles vary in thickness; this is one of their charms but can make them very difficult to lie. Before you adhere them to the wall I would suggest that you lay them all flat on the floor or worktop to make sure that there is not a big thickness difference between the two tiles that will be placed next to each other. This may sound like a challenging task but actually it doesn’t take very long at all. Care taken at this stage will definitely pay off as the final result will look much better as when they are lit from above there will be no harsh shadows.

Once the adhesive has gone off you can grout the tiles as you would any normal tile. The one factor to take in to account though is the fact the tiles are uneven. You will need to work quickly and be extra vigilant when cleaning off the grout as it can quite easily get caught in the uneven surfaces. Once you have grouted the tiles and it has had time to set I would apply one final layer of sealant and this will mean the kitchen tiles are fully protected and the grout has a certain level of protection to.

Laying natural kitchen tiles is much more challenging than laying regular flat tiles, but the final effect is stunning. If you are overhauling your kitchen with new kitchen unit doors then replacing the tiles at the same time will make you kitchen look brand new. If you approach the task bearing the above three factors in mind and are prepared to be patient and put the work in the results will be there to see for years to come.