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Glazed vs Unglazed Porcelain Tile: Which Tile for Which Area

When it comes to choosing the perfect porcelain tile for your home or business, the decision often boils down to the type of tile finish: glazed or unglazed. Glazed and unglazed porcelain tiles are different in their properties and therefore can be applied to some area or other based on the requirements of the area. By appreciating the above distinctions between the two options, one will be in a better place making an informed decision about which tile will be suitable in given application.

This blog post will discuss the following aspects: Glazing and Unglazed Porcelain Tiles, Characteristics of Glazed and Unglazed Porcelain Tiles and choosing the best tile for various spaces: home or office.

What is Glazed Porcelain Tile?

Glazed porcelain tiles are those tiles that are subjected to a glaze layer on the surface of the floor tiles. This glaze is a glass like layer that is actually bonded to the tile through firing process which done at the very high temperatures. It is not only an element that strengthens the chromatic and decorative beauty of the tile but also an element protective against stainage, damp and wear.

What is Glazed Porcelain Tile

Characteristics of Glazed Porcelain Tiles:

  • Smooth Surface: This means that rather than having a rough texture on the surface, they have a kind of polish on them referred to as the glaze. This finish can beautify the air, and also it will make cleaning them a less strenuous task.

  • Variety of Designs: Due to gloss these tiles are available in almost all colours, patterns and designs, even copies of wooden, marble and stone inimitations are possible.

  • Moisture Resistance: Another advantage of this tiles is that the glaze acts as an extra layer of security from moisture and therefore would be suitable for use in wet areas such as bathrooms and the kitchen.

  • Stain Resistance: The glaze also assists in the need from getting into the tile meaning that they are appropriate for regions that are frequently tread by people or come into contact with food.

What is Unglazed Porcelain Tile?

As the name suggest Unglazed porcelain tiles that do not possess a layer of glaze on the surface. These are natural clay tiles which are sun-burnt or artificially baked at very high temperatures making the whole surface very strong and dense. The outer portion of unglazed tiles has not been fired and does not have the shiny glaze of the exterior of glazed tiles.

Unglazed Porcelain Tile

Characteristics of Unglazed Porcelain Tiles:

  • Natural Look: Unglazed porcelain tiles are rub-finishing and are matt or satin finished, which presents a feature of the tile’s raw look and appeals to the rural feeling.

  • Durability: Unglazed tiles are highly resistant to wear and tear and are usually not prone to scratching, which is appropriate in areas that are most used.

  • Slip Resistance: Since unglazed tiles have a more abrasive surface than the glazed ones are better for slipping and thus are more suitable for use in outdoor or wet regions for instance in pool areas.

  • Absorption: It is for this reason that unglazed porcelain tiles should also be sealed because other than being non-porous, the tiles may just absorb water. But due to their low rate of absorption they are not easily affected by moisture damage.

Glazed vs Unglazed Porcelain Tile: Key Differences

Feature

Glazed Porcelain Tile

Unglazed Porcelain Tile

Finish

Smooth, Glossy, and Shiny

Matt or Satin, Natural look

Design Variety

Wide range of colors and patterns

Limited design options, more natural tones

Surface Protection

Glazed surface provides extra protection

No glaze; needs sealing for moisture resistance

Durability

Durable but may be prone to chipping or scratching

Extremely durable and scratch-resistant

Slip Resistance

Less slip-resistant, ideal for indoor areas

High slip resistance, ideal for outdoor areas

Cleaning and Maintenance

Easy to clean with smooth, non-porous surface

May require more cleaning care, especially if not sealed

Best Areas for Glazed Porcelain Tiles

Glazed porcelain tiles have a glossy and non-porous surface and are suitable for those areas where appearance, hygiene and water resistance are crucial. These tiles are perfect for the following areas:

Best Areas for Glazed Porcelain Tiles

  1. Bathrooms: Glazed porcelain tile offers water resistant features and is suitable for use as bathroom wall tiles, shower enclosed area and floor.

  2. Kitchens: Due to the stain and water repellent qualities of the glaze, these are ideal for use in kitchen backsplashes, countertop, and flooring.

  3. Living Rooms and Hallways: As can be seen, many designs of glazed porcelain tiles are available in the market and therefore it is possible to design great, easy to maintain flooring for the most used areas such as living room, hallways and entrances.

  4. Commercial Spaces: Glazed porcelain tiles are very popular for offices, restaurants and retail stores because of their versatility and long-lasting durability.

Best Areas for Unglazed Porcelain Tiles

Unglazed porcelain tiles are extremely hard wearing and highly slip resistant making them well suited to high performance areas, especially those subject to heavy foot traffic or water usage. These tiles excel in the following areas:

Best Areas for Unglazed Porcelain Tiles

  1. Outdoor Spaces: Due to its non-slip surface the unglazed tiles are ideal for use on the patios, sidewalks and the around the pool area. They give a safer texture, especially when wet.

  2. Garages: Because unglazed porcelain tiles bear a hard wearing surface, they are commonly used for garage floor since it is likely to experience traffic from equipment and automobiles.

  3. Stairways: Unfinished tiles are also suitable for use in staircases particularly in the outdoor areas because their surface is rough making them hard to slip.

  4. Commercial Kitchens and Restrooms: Unglazed tiles stand out due to their resistance to abrasion and therefore can be applied in such areas as commercial kitchens and rest rooms since they do not require being glossed thus preventing from being slippery.

Bridh Ceramica: Your Trusted Tile Partner

Bridh Ceramica company is the exporter of glazed and unglazed porcelain tiles and manufacturers of both of these products with many choices in high quality. To enhance its quality assurance, Bridh Ceramica has made a pledge of quality that makes certain each tile produced has to pass through several quality control checks in order to meet the international standards on quality.

Bridh Ceramica: Your Trusted Tile Partner

Their tiles are manufactured with higher levels of quality in terms of hard surface conduction, appearance and utility for both the residential and commercial building. In regards to the end use requirement that includes demand for either a glossy, moisture resistant glazed tiles, or an unglazed tile that is heavy duty and anti slip, Bridh Ceramica presents solid products that are built to last. So if you decide to choose Bridh Ceramica for your next project, you will be getting both the best in quality and designs.

Conclusion

Comparing glazed and unglazed porcelain tile may be simple but the choice again depends on what is needed in the area to be tiled. Glazed porcelain tile for instance has a number of unique features that make it suitable for use in areas such as the bathroom and the kitchen for example, they are easy to maintain and are very attractive to the eyes. However, if you are tiling zones that require substantial traffic or exterior premises where slip resistivity and density matter most, then unglazed porcelain tiles will prove to be most effective.

Take into consideration the need of the area, your desire on the design and the amount of care that you are willing to undertake in any area. Both glazed and unglazed porcelain tile products deliver stunning aesthetic and performance characteristics that have endeared them to homeowners and business owners, developers and architects around the world.

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