High-traffic areas: For areas meant to withstand daily wear and tear, matte floor tiles are a great option. They're highly scratch-resistant and hide marks and dirt better than glossy finish tiles.
Stubborn Stains
Due to their rough surface matte finish tiles easily camouflage stains and scratches. But, if there is any spill, the liquid will stick to the uneven surface, and it would be hard to remove them.
Yes, Cleaning matte floor tiles can be a bit more challenging than cleaning glossy finished tiles, the matte surface tends to hold dirt and dust much easier due to being rough and textured.
Glossy Tiles
As opposed to the matte finish, the gloss or high gloss tiles are expected to feel dated sooner and exhibit a chic vibe. Meanwhile, matte-finish tiles can feel more relaxed, calm, and timeless.
Glossy tiles are easier to clean, but water spots and smudges are visible. Matte finishes are low-maintenance tiles that hide smudges and dirt. They are less slip-resistant, especially when wet. They tend to be ideal for wet surfaces and high-traffic areas, as they are slip-resistant.
While matt tiles lack the brilliant and sparkling appearance of gloss tiles, they have higher traction. Matt tiles have a more 'non-slip' reputation in high-traffic areas that are frequently in contact with water, humidity, and steam. Matt tiles will help areas such as hallways, kitchens, and bathrooms.
For ease of cleaning, ceramic and porcelain bathroom tiles with a glossy finish are the best choices, as they require less maintenance compared to their natural stone counterparts. If you're interested in these options, you can request tile samples from Edward Martin to see their colors and finishes firsthand.
Go for glossy tiles
The smooth and shiny finish of gloss tiles reflect light back into the room making it feel larger. Matt tiles absorb light and have the opposite effect.
Neutral shades, like black, white, beige, tan, and gray. Classic patterns and designs, like black and white checkerboard and herringbone. Natural stone or porcelain and ceramic lookalikes.
Cleaning. Whilst matt tiles show up far less dirt and marks, they are actually tougher to clean than gloss tiles. Gloss tiles are easily wipeable and you can easily remove any marks quickly and effectively. With matt tiles, you need to scrub a lot more to remove any stains that may have appeared.
Natural Appearance: Matte tiles mimic natural materials like stone or wood, providing a warm and authentic look to your living space. Scratch and Slip Resistance: The texture of matte tiles makes them more resistant to scratches and slips, making them a practical choice, especially for households with children or pets.
Porcelain tile is recommended for bathrooms, including floors, tub and shower surrounds and countertops. Porcelain is recommended for kitchens, but glazed ceramic tile is a budget-friendly option. Glazed ceramic tiles are a good choice for a kitchen backsplash.
You can use any home cleanser, such as lemon juice, vinegar, or baking soda is fine for matte porcelain surfaces. However, use a sponge because scouring wipes can destroy matte porcelain surfaces and make them dull.
Choosing gloss and matte finishes in similar tones adds sophisticated visual interest to a neutral tile installation. This is a great way to spice up a classic white subway tile or all-white specialty shape installation while adding subtle depth to your space as demonstrated by the office kitchen below.
Choose porcelain
This ensures a cleaner-looking floor as the more scratches and chips your tiles have, the dirtier they look. Porcelain absorbs less water, so they are resistant to stains and are less likely to get mouldy. They are also much easier to clean.
There's no one-size-fits-all answer to whether tiles should be lighter or darker than walls. It all comes down to your personal preference, the space you're designing, and the atmosphere you want to create.
A neutral color palette is the cornerstone of timeless design. Shades of white, beige, gray, and soft blues create a tranquil and elegant atmosphere that stands the test of time.
One of the primary reasons for the decline in gray flooring popularity is the growing preference for warmer, more inviting tones. Colors like beige, cream, and soft brown are making a comeback, creating a cozy and welcoming atmosphere. These hues offer a sense of warmth and comfort that gray flooring often lacks.
Slippery when wet: Glossy tiles can become slick, especially in moisture-prone areas like bathrooms or entryways. This makes them less suitable for homes with small children or elderly family members.
Diagonal tiles, for example, can make a narrow room appear wider. For an extra-large room, add a border of contrasting rectangular-shaped tiles to define your space. There are also mosaic tile shapes, like arabesque, that can create unique specialty designs.
- The illusion of space: no matter how large your room is, larger tiles will always help to make a space look that much bigger than it is, making them especially perfect for small rooms that you want to widen out.
Matt tiles are non-slippery as a result they have better friction than glossy floor tiles. This makes them an ideal option for the bathroom and other moisture-prone areas. Matt finish tiles for floor are also ideal if you have kids, elderly individuals and even pets.
Ceramic and porcelain tiles are one of the best choices for cheap and easy floor maintenance. Both ceramics and porcelain are durable materials resistant to water, stains and wear. With such quality, you also get one of the easiest maintenance options. You can clean them with mild soap and water.
Use an enzyme cleaner, such as O-Cedar PACS, which won't leave a residue and will leave your floors streak-free. Or, for a DIY-method, simply mix a small amount of baking soda with hot water and apply it over your tiles using a damp mop or sponge.