Polishing glaze tile has a glaze on the surface, which improves penetration and brightness but decreases wear resistance compared to polished tiles. Because polished tiles have a thicker, more durable surface, the abrasion resistance is substantially lower and the glazing surface is glazed.
Cons to consider:
Although porcelain tile is extremely durable, it does occasionally chip, particularly around the edges. This may not be noticeable with through-body composition, but it is a concern. Porcelain tile is typically more expensive than ceramic and other popular flooring materials.
Commercial and Residential Use
Unglazed porcelain tiles are full-bodied—the entire tile is composed of natural clay. Commercial areas, like business offices and stores, are better with tough and dense unglazed tiles while projects within the home that focus more on color and theme will benefit from glazed porcelain.
Don't scratch easily: Polished porcelain tiles are scratch-resistant, especially the unglazed version. Considering the textured and natural finish on unglazed polished tiles, scratches don't show easily.
Low Maintenance:
Porcelain tiles look great, they're tough, and they are simple to maintain. They don't require any special sealing to keep out water as some other tiles do. Porcelain tile floors are simple to clean and water wipes right off them without causing any real damage.
Polishing glaze tile has a glaze on the surface, which improves penetration and brightness but decreases wear resistance compared to polished tiles. Because polished tiles have a thicker, more durable surface, the abrasion resistance is substantially lower and the glazing surface is glazed.
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.
Some tiles are sealed as part of the manufacturing process, whilst others are left unfinished. Most polished porcelain needs sealing. You can carry out a simple test on a spare tile/off cut by marking it with black pen.
Ceramic and porcelain tile floors can be notoriously slippery. The very feature that makes tile easy to clean—its smooth, non-porous nature—also means that it is slippery underfoot. Add extra tile glazing, water, and dress shoes, and a rush to get to work can mean a trip to the emergency room instead.
Porcelain tile has a 60+ year life expectancy, so you definitely get your money's worth. It's perfect for walls, floors and indoor/outdoor installations. Rated for high-traffic areas, you won't have to worry about your porcelain floor degrading over time.
A high-quality porcelain is often thicker – ⅜” to ½” thick in many cases, making it more durable. And whether a porcelain tile is glazed or not, steps are often taken to ensure a superior finish. This is why good quality porcelain can so closely resemble natural stone or even wood.
A glossy finish is different from polished, in that it is created with a glossy glaze instead of a polishing wheel process. A glaze is basically a glass-like layer added to the surface of a tile to protect any printed design and seal the tile surface, making it non-absorbent and easier to clean.
Vitrified tiles are slippery when wet.
Most tiles have the potential to be slippery when wet, whether they are glazed or unglazed, but matte finished tiles are far less so, and textured or grip finished tiles are non-slip, as they are specifically manufactured for external use.
Take care to avoid exposing porcelain to permanent inks or dyes, as these might not be removable. If porcelain surfaces are exposed to permanent marker or dye, rinse the area with water as soon as possible then apply approved cleaning product. Rinse and dry thoroughly.
Porcelain tiles when first laid have a very smooth finish and a shiny look. But as time goes by, the look can wear down and can give out a very drab look.
Bathrooms are always exposed to water and slippery tiles can often lead to dangerous slip and fall accidents. It would be suitable to use polished porcelain tiles for your bathroom walls and non-polished porcelain tiles for your bathroom floors to prevent accidents from happening.
Invest in an anti-slip coating for polished and glossy tiles
Once applied, this effective sealer forms an invisible barrier that creates surface tension, increasing traction and improving resistance to spills and stains. Polish Grip can be used on interior and exterior surfaces, including grout.
The best option is to dry mop and vacuum prior to adding a liquid cleaner. This will eliminate dust, dirt, and debris to obtain a better result. For glazed porcelain tiles, we recommend using a soft broom or dust mop; with a microfiber pad that attracts and collects hair, fine dust, and dirt.
What kind of tile is not slippery when wet? Technological advances in porcelain and ceramic have revolutionized the variety of non-slip bathroom flooring on offer – and, for the most part, these high-quality materials are not slippery when wet.
Because they're made from porcelain, polished tiles are incredibly hard-wearing and resistant to wear and tear, which makes them perfect for busy areas such as hallways, kitchens and living spaces. You won't believe how easy they are to live with, especially if you've had polished natural stone tiles in the past.
Elegant Durability and Longevity
The combination of strength and durability combined with a moisture-tight surface makes it the perfect floor tile for high-traffic, hard-wearing areas such as the kitchen. Porcelain tiles with a good rating can last 15 to 20 years. High-rated tiles will look good for up to 50 years.
The easy and quick answer is that you don't. One of porcelains many advantages is it's resistance to staining, whether from food, water, or chemicals. When fired, porcelain is exposed to very high temperatures, which allows it to achieve a glass-like and very durable surface.
These tiles have lower scratch resistance in the tile industry. They have a hardness of 3, which is significantly lower than sand at 7. This means that sand can easily scratch polished porcelain tiles. With the above in mind, you can take a few precautions to maintain your porcelain floor in good shape.
Slip and water resistant, porcelain makes for a safe flooring option for bathrooms and beyond. You can count on it to give you great traction underfoot, even when used for a shower floor or another area where moisture is often present.
Porcelain tile is our number-1 choice for showers because of its diversity, durability, and water-resistance.