Matte porcelain tiles work well in all areas of the home and can provide a more subtle look. Use them in place of limestone or other soft, honed stone tiles for style. Polished porcelain tiles have a bright shine and an elegant finish.
On the contrary, matte finish tiles reflect less light and they do not show up stains and smudges as much as gloss finish tiles. Due to their non-reflective characteristic, they are very good at concealing dirty stains, spots, smudges, and marks of dried water droplets.
Cleaning matte tiles can seem like a tricky job as the rough finish means it collects dust and grime more quickly means you can't just wipe it clean with a wet cloth. In some cases, especially with matte tiles that have a darker appearance, you may find that particles of soap collect on the surface.
While matt tiles may lack the bright and shiny appeal, they have a better traction than gloss. For high traffic spaces that are in frequent contact with water, humidity and steam, matt tiles offer a more 'non slip' reputation. Spaces such as hallways, kitchens and bathrooms will all benefit from matt tiles.
Matt tiles are good at hiding scratches & stains, and so they do not require regular cleaning. Because of the low maintenance, matt tiles are the best option for busy places. With all its unfinished and natural finish, matt tiles are best for the rustic theme of the house.
A matte tile offers a more sophisticated, reserved and subtle look to your entire decor, while gloss finish tiles are shiny and have a glaze that reflects light. It is ideal for small spaces as it opens up a room and makes it more spacious.
The surface of most ceramic and porcelain tile does not need to be sealed, although some require a light application of a penetrating sealer to fill the micro pores on the surface of the tile. However, the grout joint between the tiles is usually very porous and generally made of a cement-based material.
Cleaning matte porcelain is very important in order to avoid scratching the surface of matte porcelain. Because it is a porous material and can easily absorb dirt or dust particles when they are not washed properly.
Rough-textured matte porcelain is a great surface for high-traffic environments. It offers excellent non-slip properties and it's very durable. But when it comes to cleaning, the high/low surfaces can test even the most thorough cleaning program.
In matte tiles, a special layer is added on the topmost layer to achieve a non-shiny and subtle look. The most prominent feature of matte tiles is their anti-slippery nature, which makes them ideal flooring options for all spaces, including those with high water usage like bathrooms, kitchens, and balconies.
You may have guessed where this is going: porcelain tiles are not waterproof, they are water resistant. That means that if you submerge them in water long enough, then they will eventually allow that water to seep through.
Matte tile is slip-resistant, shows less grime, and can offer a more rustic look to your bathroom. Glossy makes the room appear larger, is easy to clean, and brightens up your space. The downside to matte tile is that it is more difficult to clean when it needs it.
Most concerns about having polished tiles in the home revolve around how slippery these tiles will be under foot, but in fact they are no more or less slippery than matt tiles.
Porcelain tiles are made of porcelain clay that has been fired at high heat. Porcelain tile is sold in matte, polished or glazed finishes. Glazed tile has a layer of glaze, which is usually colored, applied during the manufacturing process. This gives the tiles a high-gloss appearance.
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.
Using glossy ceramic tile sealer or wax can make matte porcelain tile shiny. Soapy water, baking soda, ammonia-water solution, and vinegar solution are ideal alternatives if tile sealer or wax is unavailable.
The good news is that vinegar won't damage your porcelain tiles as long as it's used properly. Hooray! Whilst the right solution is a completely safe, natural, and vegan-friendly cleaner for your floors, you do have to be careful with how you use it.
Matte tiles are also very durable, making them ideal for parts of your home that have high activity, such as your living room or kitchen.
The four bathroom tiles that are the easiest to clean are natural stone tile, glass tile, polished porcelain tile, and vinyl tile. Bathroom tiles should be cleaned regularly to prevent bacteria build-up.
Matte porcelain tiles are easy to clean. For everyday cleaning, use warm water and a mop. For weekly cleaning, you can use a mild detergent mixed with warm water and mop or make a solution using white vinegar and water and spray on the surface, leave it for 10-15 minutes until the dirt loosens, and brush it off.
Look closely at the glaze: if it's chipped, you will be able to see the tile's white or tan base. This is a sure sign that the tile is ceramic. Porcelain tiles are sometimes, but not always, glazed. Most high-quality porcelain tiles will have a consistent color that goes through the top, body, and bottom of the tile.