a guide to glazed vs unglazed porcelain tile
by clé tile | published: Feb 14, 2024
white gloss ceramic tile
we can think of, well, more than a few reasons to love porcelain tile. it’s durable, low maintenance, and exceptionally beautiful. it comes in loads of options, too, from glossy white penny rounds to shibori-inspired dipped tiles.
if you’re considering adding porcelain to your own space, you may be wondering whether glazed or unglazed tile is the best choice for you. we’re covering the key differences below—with a few tips to help you find your perfect match.
glazed vs unglazed porcelain tiles
glazed and unglazed porcelain tiles have a few important differences, including how they are made and what they can offer in terms of aesthetics and durability.
manufacturing and production
porcelain tile, whether glazed or unglazed, is a type of ceramic tile made from fine clay and fired at high temperatures. this makes it exceptionally durable and resistant to wear and tear.
glazed tiles, of course, have a layer of glaze applied to the surface and are fired a second time during the manufacturing process. this glaze is a liquid glass coating that is baked into the tile, creating a smooth finish. often, this finish is glossy, but glazes can also create a matte finish.
unglazed tiles, on the other hand, are left with their natural texture, giving them an earthier look. they can also be dipped, stained, washed, or painted to create an endless array of designs.
porcelain white gloss penny round mosaic
indigo wash watermark porcelain
appearance and aesthetic
aesthetic options abound with porcelain tile, whether it’s glazed or unglazed. glazed tiles can range from large white and glossy rectangles all the way down to small, matte black penny rounds. unglazed porcelain tiles lean more earthy, with a whole range of artistic options to choose from, too.
in short: if there’s a look you have in mind, there’s a good chance you can bring it to life with porcelain tile, be it glazed or unglazed.
durability and maintenance
again, all porcelain tile is exceptionally durable, thanks to how it’s made and fired. it holds up well to wear and tear and manages to be resistant to cracks and chips, too. glossy glazed tile is especially easy to clean, and unglazed tile remains remarkably moisture resistant due to its less porous nature.
maintenance for porcelain tile varies depending on what you choose to install. in general, having your tile installed by a professional—and cleaning it regularly with mild, ph-neutral soap—will ensure your tile installation lasts for many years.
usage and functionality
unglazed tiles offer more slip resistance than glazed tiles due to their natural texture, so they are generally better for bathroom and shower floors. that said, smaller glazed tiles such as penny rounds can be installed safely in these wet areas because they call for more grouting, which increases traction. if you have your eye on a larger glazed porcelain tile for the bathroom or shower floor, consider having the tile cut down to a smaller size for greater slip resistance.
beyond the bathroom, you can install porcelain tile in just about any room, from the mudroom and laundry room to the living room and kitchen.
cle basics subway tile in white gloss. design / photography: adam bechtold interiors
exploring glazed porcelain tiles
let’s talk about the key advantages that come with glazed porcelain tile.
stain, scratch, and moisture resistant
as we alluded to earlier, the natural texture of unglazed porcelain tile gives you better slip resistance, an important consideration when installing tile on floors and especially bathroom floors.
ultra durable
unglazed porcelain offers its own brand of durability. while there is no glazed finish to lend extra stain, scratch, and moisture resistance, unglazed porcelain has low porosity nonetheless. this means it is still safe for wet areas (when installed and finished properly) and is less likely to absorb stains when compared to more porous natural stone.
options, options (again)
glazed porcelain isn’t the only type of porcelain that comes in endless options. (our shibori-inspired watermark collection is proof.) where glazing offers a variety of colors and finishes, techniques such as hand-painting, dipping, and staining give unglazed porcelain a feast of possibilities as well. and if you love raw, earthy texture, you’ll find the very best examples in unglazed porcelain.
porcelain watermark in indigo dip
considering unglazed porcelain tiles
on the flip side, let’s look at the particular perks of installing unglazed porcelain tile.
stain, scratch, and moisture resistant
the glazed surface of glazed tile adds an extra layer of protection from stains, scratches, and moisture. this makes it a popular choice for high-traffic and wet areas such as kitchen backsplashes and shower walls.
that said, keep in mind that no glazed tile, even porcelain, is impervious to wear. a common-sense approach is best here: avoid dropping heavy objects on the tile, dragging sharp objects across the tile, and exposing the tile to harsh scrubbers and chemical cleaners.
easy to clean
the same qualities that make glazed porcelain tile resistant to stains and moisture also make it blessedly easy to clean. usually, regular cleaning with a mild detergent is all you need to keep your tile looking its best.
options, options
as you can imagine, glazing opens up a whole world of aesthetic options for porcelain tile. colors can range from classic white to electric cobalt blue. meanwhile, finishes can range from bright and glossy to low-key and matte. and let’s not forget all the patterned options.
wall: black + white porcelain penny rounds; floor: zenith cement in black + white. design: plan architecture / photo: dan dagostino + gabriela rodriguez
choosing between glazed and unglazed porcelain tile
still not sure whether glazed or unglazed porcelain tile is best for you? here are three more things to consider.
location of installation and room usage
as we mentioned when discussing glazed tile for the shower floor, where you plan to install the tile can influence which finish you go for. if you’re installing the tile on a floor—even, say, a kitchen floor—you’ll want either a smaller glazed tile (and therefore more grouting) or an unglazed tile for traction.
if you’re installing the tile on a wall, you have more options. glazed tile has the added advantage of being easy to clean, making it an ideal choice for the kitchen and bathroom. unglazed tile, on the other hand, might offer just the natural look you’re going for.
whichever tile you’re leaning toward, be sure to check the technical specifications and material guidelines for that particular tile. they should specify which rooms and areas the tile can be safely installed in.
design cohesiveness
when considering tile for one space, don’t forget to think about the rest of your home. if you have a bold, patterned backsplash in the kitchen, for example, you might follow suit in a small bathroom by getting creative with mosaic tile. (glazed penny rounds are great for this.)
love the rustic look that reclaimed terracotta tile adds to your mudroom floor? you might appreciate the earthiness that unglazed porcelain tile can add to your kitchen or bathroom wall.
personal preference
as you’ve probably already guessed, which tile you choose largely comes down to personal preference. if you love glossy white porcelain, for example, and want to install it on your shower floor, you have options. (namely, to opt for a smaller tile or cut a larger tile down to a 2-inch size or smaller.)
if you love the earthy look that unglazed porcelain tile adds to a kitchen, you can certainly use it for your backsplash. just be sure your contractor follows material guidelines, such as finishing the tile with a top coat if needed.
we’ve said it before, and we’ll say it again: this is your home. do what you want.