The finish you choose will specify the complete look and feel when you are picking porcelain tiles for your home. There are two very common types: polished and matte. These have their advantages and disadvantages, which are very evident in each one. It just comes down to choosing the porcelain tile—polished or matte—you need for the purpose, taking note of your taste in design, safety requirements, and intended usage.
What Are Polished Porcelain Tiles?
Polished porcelain tiles have a high-shine surface. The look is sleek and elegant. Indeed, with polished porcelain, one can easily create a luxurious ambience in his or her home.
Pros of Polished Porcelain Tiles
Easy to Clean: The smooth face of polished tiles brings cleanliness. Due to their finish, they are smooth, so dust, dirt, or spilt substances are easily wiped off their surface. They are therefore ideal for kitchens and bathrooms where high hygiene standards are essential.
Resilience: Polished porcelain tiles are remarkably durable, considering their glossy finish. In fact, despite the glossy finish, they are resistant to scratches and cannot be easily eroded. Therefore, most places with a higher number of people walking in and out will find them ideal.
Stain Resistance: Because polished tiles are less porous, spills and stains cannot readily penetrate them. They are stain-resistant, so over time, their glossy appearance holds up.
Cons of Polished Porcelain Tiles
Slippery When Wet: The main drawback of glossy porcelain tiles is their propensity to slip very quickly in damp spaces like kitchens and bathrooms. For a home, this might be risky, particularly for the old and young.
More Noticeable Scratches: Though these tiles are practically indestructible, the scratches that occur are more visible because of the shiny reflective surface. This will mar their pristine shine after a while.
What Are Matte Porcelain Tiles?
Matte porcelain tiles appear with a much more subtle, natural look. Because of the non-reflective surface, they give way to an underplayed aesthetic that perfectly suits creating a warm and inviting space.
Pros of Matte Porcelain Tiles
Non-slip surface: One major benefit attached to Face-impex matte porcelain tiles is that they constitute a non-slip surface. It makes the places with more frequency of water usage, such as bathrooms and entryways, relatively safer due to higher grip value.
Subtle, Natural Look: As they provide a more relaxed and natural look, matte porcelain tiles prove to be ideal for rooms that are designed with a rustic, industrial, or minimalist look. This does create a warmth in the atmosphere and gives off the impression that the casual earthy feel is going to pull off with the matte finish.
Less Maintenance: Matte tiles do not reflect smudges, fingerprints, and water spots as polished ones do. This low maintenance requirement makes it perfect for kitchen or living rooms, which have high activity.
Hides Imperfections: The textured surface of matte porcelain tiles helps hide minor scratches, scuffs, or imperfections. Over time, these tiles keep on looking fresh and well-kept, even in areas with heavy foot traffic.
Cons of Matte Porcelain Tiles
Less Reflective: Not much reflective, especially compared to the glossy tiles above: Matte porcelain tiles from Face-impex lack reflective light quality that may make a room appear darker. It is in small rooms where light reflection may make them seem more spacious; therefore, that’s a slight disadvantage.
More Difficult to Clean: Though matte tiles do not readily display marks, the texture they arrive with traps dirt and grime easily. You will need to clean them much more scrupulously than you would polish tiles so that dirt does not settle upon the tile over time.
How to Decide in Polished vs. Matte Tiles
In deciding between utilizing polished porcelain tiles and matte porcelain tiles, you may want to consider several factors depending on the room and your design goals.
Safety Issues
If safety is of utmost importance, especially in bathrooms or entranceways, then matte porcelain would best be recommended. This is mainly because the surface is textured and gives one a better gripping force and therefore minimizes slipping on the floor when it is wet.
Aesthetic Preferences
Do you like an open space that is bright and elegant, or do you like a more subtle and natural look? High-gloss porcelain tiles can make one feel luxurious. Matte porcelain tiles allow for a cosier and more relaxed ambience.
Room Size
Polished tiles help much when used in small rooms. Such tile types can reflect light, making the room appear larger than it is. If the room does not have enough natural light, polished tiles will brighten it. If the room is big or already well-lit, polished porcelain tiles are recommended.
Where Each Tile Type Works Best
Polished Porcelain Tiles for Traffic Areas
Polished porcelain tiles do fine in hallways and living rooms, which are heavy-traffic areas. The polish-friendly face and durability make it perfect for those spaces. The Face-impex‘s Fulgaro Deza and Chicago Choco, having a polished finish will be great options if you want to give a shine to your heavy-traffic areas.
Matte Porcelain Tiles for Safety and Style
They are perfect for wet areas such as bathrooms, kitchens, or entryways where style can be mingled with safety. Within those aesthetics, Face-impex Cluster Mud and Dezire Grey among others can bring that modern touch while remaining slip-resistant.
Conclusion
The decision between polished porcelain and matte porcelain tiles would depend on the space, safety needs, and preference regarding design. A perfect take on making the room appear larger with an added elegance to the space, polished porcelain tiles are ideal. Conversely, matte porcelain tiles offer a safer, more understated look that functions best in moist areas or heavy foot traffic areas.
With a brand like Face-impex, you can easily find polished and matte tiles, ranging from Bostone Forest to Chicago Choco, allowing you to choose the right fit for your home. With the right tiles, you will not only be pleased aesthetically but also functionally in meeting the needs of your lifestyle.