Floor Tiles – Matt Finishing vs Gloss Finishing
Choosing a proper tile for the floor is one of the difficult decision you have to make if you are building a new home or remodelling an existing one.
Aside from the different tile patterns and materials, there are two types of tile finishes: matt and gloss finishing. You will be confronted with the challenge of deciding what finish will suit your bathroom, kitchen, balcony, living room etc the best.
In this blogpost, we will be giving a breakdown of the Matt finishing and Gloss Finishing to aid in your decision making approach.
Difference between Matt Tile and Gloss Tile
A tile with matt finishing gives your overall design a more refined, restrained, and understated aesthetic, whereas gloss finish tiles are polished and have a sheen that refracts light.
Tiles with gloss finishing are perfect for tiny areas since it expands up the area and makes it seems larger. While matt tiles are non-shiny and hence non-slippery, making them ideal for older persons, and children. Matt finishing tiles can be used in bigger spaces that have plenty of ambient or natural light.
If there isn’t enough lighting in the space, gloss finishing tiles can reflect lighting off its sheen, producing a warm and pleasant setting. They are also considerably easy to maintain, requiring only a simple scrub down to be gleaming spotless. On the other hand, matt tiles may not have the same sheen but are still aesthetically stunning, they provide necessary traction on the floor and are perfect for areas where more moisture is expected.
Where to use Gloss or Matt Finishing Tiles
Because tiles with glossy surface are simpler to clean and maintain, they are ideal for usage in low-traffic dry areas of the home, such as the living room, bedroom, lobby, balcony, and corridor floors. They also offer the appearance of a larger space in narrower and more crowded spaces, tight corridors, halls, or entry areas because light bounces back and forth on shining gloss tiles. Glossy tiles are especially great for tiny rooms or visitor suites. The shine of a tiling not just contributes to the impression of expanse, but it also contributes to the elegance and glitz of a room.
Matt finishing tiling is ideal for locations where you need greater traction on the surface. They provide more grip and friction to the surface. They are often adopted in homes with children and older folks to avoid mishaps. It is advised to use tiles with a matt surface for floors either in dry or wet areas. Wet areas which includes bathroom, toilet and kitchen floors and dry areas such as living room, bedroom, and lobby floors. Due to its anti-slip properties, a matt surface is also recommended for exterior spaces such as Balcony and Corridor.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Gloss Finishing Tiles
Advantages are;
- It transforms your room and makes it look more spacious
- They are very easy to clean
- They are more modern and contemporary in design
Disadvantages are;
- Any scratch on the surface is more visible
- They have a slippery surface and are more prone to slips and mishaps
- The shine and gloss in certain environments can be distracting
Advantages and Disadvantages of Matt Finishing Tiles
Advantages are;
- Better traction that makes it slip-resistant
- They are low-maintenance
- They give a more rustic vintage look
Disadvantages are;
- Matt tiles are not fit for smaller spaces
- The stains and spills on them are more difficult to remove
Which of these finishing is the best to use?
Each tile finishing incorporated has its advantages and disadvantages, so it is entirely dependent on your tastes. A lot of these is dependent on the concept you want to achieve, as well as the scale, appearance, colour, and atmosphere of the room. Alternatively, you may combine both tiles to get a fusion effect. It all comes down to personal choice in the end.
You can also choose to utilize two separate finishing in the same home but separate areas. For instance, in the bedroom or common area, you may use gloss tiles, whereas, in the bathroom or kitchen, you could use matt tiles.
Finally, it is up to you to decide whatever appearance you like for your floor – there are no strict guidelines to adopt when answering the matt vs gloss tiles question.
You can check some of our available floor tiles here. You can also visit our YouTube channel here.