Manufacturers make ceramic floor tile from clay. However, they are “born” in one of two ways. They are either pressed into tiles as a mixture of minerals, or the clay is extruded and then formed into a tile. Although manufacturers make porcelain tiles in much the same way, they create ceramic tiles with less pressure. Additionally, when sent off for the baking process, manufacturers do not fire them at as high a temperature as porcelain tiles.
You will find that you can get ceramic tiles in glazed and unglazed varieties. The prior means the manufacturer has applied a durable glass coating, whereas with the latter this is not the case.
Glazed Ceramic Floor Tile
This glaze can be either gloss or matte. What are some differences between the two? One is that matte is not as shiny as the gloss glazing. It has a more satin appearance. Other than the aesthetic appeal of either type of glaze, understanding how they affect usage will assist you in making your choice. Consider, for example, the matte finish. One area which may warrant the use of ceramic tiles with a matte glaze would be for floors that may be frequently wet, such as a bathroom floor or entryway.
The matte glaze is more slip-resistant whereas shiny, high-gloss ceramic floor tiles could be dangerous. An additional point is that the shinier the tile, the more easily it shows up dirt. Therefore in an entryway, matte ceramic tiles would help to hide the dirt and dust tracked in on shoes and perhaps even your pet’s feet. Better yet, a textured tile will provide even more traction and mask the dirt even better.
Using ceramic tiles with a matte finish also has advantages on kitchen countertops. This is because they are more resistant to scratching and marking.
Visit our TFO Sydney showroom and see our wide range of tiles at the best prices possible or visit our TFO online tile store today.
