You think about the glossy versus matt tile debate for weeks. Your bathroom remodel will start in a few days and you still can’t decide between the two finishes. Before you go crazy looking at tile samples, take a deep breath.
The good news is that glossy matt tiles also have their benefits, so there's really no "wrong" here.This article breaks down the pros and cons of each so you can weigh your options and confidently choose the finish that suits your style and needs.
We will compare factors such as maintenance, energy durability and aesthetics so you can make the best decision for your home. Don't worry - we'll take this tile and finish it face-to-face together so you can move forward with your remodel confident that you made the right call.
Explore Glossy And Matt Finish Collection
The Pros and Cons of Glossy Tile Finishes
1. Easier to Clean and Maintain
2. A Polished, Modern Look
3. Can Be Slippery When Wet
4. Requires More Maintenance
Easier to Clean and Maintain
Glossy tiles have a glassy, non-porous finish that repels water and stains. This makes them a breeze to wipe down and clean. Spills and splatters simply wipe right off without soaking in.
Glossy tile is also naturally resistant to mold and mildew because it is difficult for water to rise to the surface. In high-traffic, extremely humid areas, such as kitchens and bathrooms, glossy panels can save you the time and hassle of heating surfaces.
A Polished, Modern Look
Glossy tiles provide a sleek, polished look that evokes luxury and high design. They reflect light and can make a space seem more open and airy. Glossy tiles are a popular choice for contemporary homes and minimalist styles. However, the high shine may be too modern for some tastes and can show scratches or imperfections more readily.
Can Be Slippery When Wet
The glassy surface of glossy tiles offers little traction, especially when wet. This can make them unsafe for floors, showers, and other areas where slipping is a concern. Glossy tiles may require the installation of slip-resistant strips or mats to improve grip. They can also be difficult for children, pets, and the elderly to walk on steadily.
Requires More Maintenance
While glossy tiles are easy to clean, they typically require more frequent cleaning and maintenance to keep their polished appearance. Dirt, water spots, and grime show up more noticeably on the glossy surface and must be wiped away.
Glossy tiles may need to be buffed or re-sealed periodically to restore the shine. Over time, the glossy finish can dull without proper care and re-polishing. Glossy tiles are not ideal for low-maintenance areas or homes.
In the end, choosing between glossy or matt tile finishes comes down to weighing the pros and cons for your needs and lifestyle. Both options have their benefits as well as their drawbacks, so think about what factors are most important for your space before deciding on a finish.
The Pros and Cons of Matt Tile Finishes
1. Easy Maintenance
2. Provides Traction
3. Difficult to Clean
4. Prone to Water Damage
Easy Maintenance
The matt tiles, on the other hand, do not have reflections and can obscure the scratches, stains, and dirt on their texture and porous surface. They show no soap scum in the bathroom, and they are resistant to water spots. Matt tiles are not a highlight to imperfections but take very little maintenance to remain looking clean. They will need less time polishing and sealing them compared to the glossy kind of tiles.
Provides Traction
Matt tiles, on the other hand, have a slightly rough, gritty surface. They provide more traction even when wet and are fairly recommended for parts of the floor that are prone to slipping, like the bathroom, kitchen, and entryway. The textured finish provides more grip so you can walk confidently without worrying about losing your footing.
Difficult to Clean
The porous surface of matt tiles hides dirt and stains. It also tends to make them more difficult to clean; most stains wipe off with no effort, but spills or splashes will penetrate into the tile, making it hard to wipe them away completely. Stubborn dirt may need to be scrubbed out, and abrasive cleaners may spoil the surface of the tile. The grout between matt tiles is also likely to get dirty pretty fast, and likely the cleaning is done often.
Prone to Water Damage
These tiles are highly porous; hence, with time, they do get water into them. Long exposure to lots of moisture may lead to its discoloration, while in extreme cases, even warping of the tiles, not forgetting mold formation.
Besides, the use of matt tiles in extremely wet places, such as on the walls of the shower, is not recommended. Most importantly, matt tiles in places like bathrooms and kitchens need sealing to provide protection against water damage, with resealing being guaranteed after a couple of years to assure the highest protection.
Finally, be it matt or glossy, it all depends upon where you are going to place the tile and how much maintenance you will like to do. A matt finish requires care and cleaning but allows ease of maintenance. Glossy ones clean up easily but scratch and stain more. Choose the one which seems better, taking into consideration your priorities and the function of the space at hand.
Glossy vs. Matt: Which Tile Finish Is Best for Your Space?
Glossy tiles
Glossy tiles have a shiny, reflective surface that shimmers under lights. They create an illusion of depth and make spaces appear more open and airy. High Glossy tiles are ideal for small bathrooms or kitchens as they make the room seem larger. They are also easy to clean since water and grime slide right off the surface.
However, the glossy finish shows more imperfections and requires frequent wiping to prevent water spots and streaks. Glossy tiles may not be the best choice for high-traffic or outdoor areas where lots of dirt and scratches can dull the shine.
Matt tiles
Matt or matt tiles have a dull, textured surface that absorbs light. They create a natural, muted look and help hide imperfections like scratches or uneven walls.
Matt tiles are less slippery, making them a good choice for outdoor patios, decks, and walkways. They are also easier to maintain since they don't show water spots or smudges as easily. However, the porous surface of matt tiles means they can stain more easily and require sealing to prevent grime buildup. Matt tiles may darken a space since they don’t reflect light.
The verdict
For most residential uses, matt tiles are a versatile, low-maintenance choice for flooring and walls. Glossy tiles are ideal for creating a sleek, stylish look in smaller kitchens and bathrooms where their reflective surface can make the space appear more open and airy.
In the end, the right tile finish comes down to the look you want to achieve and how much maintenance you’re willing to put in. Both glossy and matt tiles have their pros and cons, so think about the specific needs of your space to determine which finish is the best fit.
Conclusion
So what's the verdict? When it comes down to it, glossy and matt tiles both have their pros and cons. Glossy tiles certainly make a statement and have that wow factor, but they do require diligent cleaning and upkeep. Matt tiles, on the other hand, offer a more muted, natural look and are lower maintenance.
Ultimately, it depends on your personal style and lifestyle. If you don't mind putting in elbow grease to keep floors spotless, go for gloss. If you want an understated, fuss-free finish, choose matt. Either way, think about where the tiles will be installed and how they'll fit into the overall design scheme. Trust your gut, and you can't go wrong!