Penny Tile Flooring, An Affordable Kitchen Option

Penny tiles, with their small, round shape reminiscent of actual pennies, are an intriguing choice for kitchen floors. Their diminutive size and vintage vibe inject personality and visual interest into the space. Penny tile is an affordable, durable, and easy-to-clean option that can transform the look of a kitchen while fitting many budgets.

But what exactly goes into installing a penny tile floor? Let's explore the benefits, preparation work, installation process, and care for penny tile floors to determine if this could be the right budget-friendly flooring for your kitchen remodel or refresh.

Benefits of Penny Tile for Kitchen Floors

There are many advantages to using penny tile for kitchen flooring projects:

• Affordable Material - Penny tiles made of porcelain or ceramic are very economical, especially compared to options like natural stone or hardwood.
• Provides Vintage, Retro Look - The small circles are reminiscent of early 20th century floors, fitting today's affinity for vintage styles.
• Variety of Colors/Patterns - Penny rounds come glazed in endless colors, or black and white for checkerboard floors.
• Durable & Easy to Clean - Porcelain penny tiles stand up well to dropped dishes, spills, and high traffic areas with regular sweeping and mopping.
• Adds Visual Interest - The small size and shape catch the eye and add personality even in neutral colors.

With this winning combination of affordability, durability, and style, it's no wonder penny tile floors are surging in popularity for kitchen updates and remodels. The quirky, circular shape and vintage vibe inject an element of individuality into the space.

Preparing to Install Penny Tile Floor

While penny tile floors may be budget-friendly, installing them properly is key to ensuring they last. Careful prep work and planning makes all the difference.

Selecting Tiles

The first step is selecting your penny rounds. Consider factors like:

• Colors/Patterns - Choose a single color or experiment with patterns like alternating black and white. Tiles with multiple colors in one sheet help camouflage seams.
• Materials - Porcelain rates highest for durability and water-resistance. Natural stone adds flair but requires extensive sealing.
• Sizes - 1" is standard but 3/4" creates more intricate patterns. Smaller tiles mean more grout lines to clean.

Achieving a Seamless Look

Visible seams between sheets of penny tiles can interrupt the look. To avoid this:

• Dry lay tiles first to distribute circles evenly across the floor before installing.
• Select multi-colored tiles over single colors to help hide seams.
• Stagger sheets in a brickwork style so seams don't align.

Layout Planning

Map out your desired layout before permanently installing tiles. Dry laying them first clarifies optimal design like choosing starting points to align patterns. You can also identify tricky edges that require specialty cuts before proceeding.

Subfloor Prep

Prepping the subfloor prevents future cracking or loosening of tiles. It entails:

• Removing old flooring if present down to raw substrate.
• Sanding surface smooth then sweeping away debris.
• Checking levelness and addressing any uneven spots.
• Priming floor with thinset mortar for tile adhesion.

Cement backerboard or a decoupling membrane create stable substrates for tiles to prevent cracking from the wood's natural expansion and contraction.

Installing Penny Tile Flooring

Once substrate and tiles are prepped, the real work begins. Carefully setting each tiny tile and properly grouting ensures they withstand heavy use for years.

Setting Mortar and Grout Considerations

Thinset mortar holds the tiles in place long-term. Using the proper trowel notch size achieves the right thickness and coverage of mortar behind the small tiles. Allow mortar to slake or sit for 10-15 minutes before setting tiles.

For grout, a white polymeric formula resists staining while providing an attractive finish with colored penny tiles. Epoxy grout offers even greater durability and water resistance in bathrooms or laundry rooms.

Setting the Tiles

Working in small sections, set tiles one at a time into the prepared thinset mortar. Use temporary spacers between tiles to achieve consistent grout line widths. Firmly tamp each penny round tile to ensure full contact with mortar and prevent future loosening due to traffic.

Allow the mortar to cure undisturbed for 48 hours before grouting. This window allows you to identify and address any tiles that need adjustment to achieve a flat surface.

Grouting Process

Once tile mortar has cured, mix and apply grout using a rubber grout float. Hold the float at a 45-degree angle, using circular motions to fully pack the joints surrounding each penny tile.

After 10-15 minutes, spray with water and use edge of float to scrape grout haze off the tile surface. Use a damp sponge in a swirling motion to smooth and clean grout without pulling it out of joints. Allow grout to cure 72 hours before sealing tiles.

Sealing

Applying sealer after grouting provides protection from stains and moisture. Ensure tiles and grout are fully cured first. Apply two coats of a compatible tile and grout sealer, allowing proper drying time between coats.

Wait 72 hours after the second coat to wash floors for the first time to avoid ruining sealer application. Harsh cleaners can also degrade sealer prematurely.

Caring for Penny Tile Floors

With proper ongoing maintenance, penny tile floors will provide lasting beauty in the busiest kitchens.

Regular Cleaning Tips

For regular sweeping and mopping:

• Use mild pH-neutral cleaners and warm water.
• Avoid abrasives that could scratch tile surfaces over time.
• Rinse floors thoroughly after washing.
• Vinegar and water removes soap scum or hard water deposits.

Strategic Use of Rugs

Placing rugs, especially at high traffic areas, helps prevent chips and surface wear. Move rugs regularly and sweep underneath to prevent dirt grinding against tiles and wearing down grout over time. Matching rug sizes to room dimensions helps them stay in place underfoot.

Should an individual penny tile become damaged or loose, repair is straightforward. Use a utility knife to carefully pry up the damaged round without harming surrounding tiles. Scrape away old thinset mortar and apply fresh mortar before resetting the replacement tile with surrounding spacers in place. Allow mortar to fully cure before grouting replaced tile into the existing joints using a grout bag for easy application.

With some planning and elbow grease, penny tile can transform a kitchen. Durable, budget-friendly, and easy to maintain, penny rounds bring loads of personality as an affordable option to renovate or refresh the heart of a home.