exploring tile finish types: understanding your options

tile finish types

much like paint, tiles come in a massive array of finish options. what you choose will largely be a matter of where you’re installing it, what you can commit to in terms of maintenance, and what your aesthetic preferences are.

many people classify tile finishes using words like “glossy” and “matte,” and we will below too. but it’s worth noting that there are some nuances here. the phrase matte tile, for example, may refer to tile that is finished with a matte glaze, or to tile that is left unglazed. (but more on that in a bit.)

glossy finish

generally speaking, glossy finish tiles are those that have been finished with a glossy glaze. these may be ceramic tiles, porcelain penny rounds, glazed brick tiles, zellige tiles, or glazed terracotta tiles.

while you should always check the material guidelines of any tile you are considering, glossy tiles tend to offer the advantage of easy maintenance. this is because their glossy glaze keeps water, stains, and the like from seeping into the tile itself. glossy tiles also tend to look more consistent over time, rather than developing a rich patina.

if you’re looking for a slip resistant tile for, say, a bathroom, glossy finish tiles are ones to avoid. (unless you’re going for a mosaic tile and therefore more grouting.) glossy tiles generally become slippery when wet — the same quality that makes them easier to clean.

matte finish

again, the term matte finish can communicate many different things in the tile world. there are ceramic, porcelain, brick, and terracotta tiles that have been finished with a matte glaze. then you have cement tiles, which are never glazed and naturally have a matte surface (though they are polished somewhat to create a smooth texture).

matte tiles that have a glaze finish tend to maintain their look over time when compared to, say, cement tiles that develop a rich patina. that said, some matte-glazed tiles such as those in our eastern earthenware collection do acquire some patina with time, especially when installed on the floor.

maintenance with matte tiles typically isn’t as carefree as it is with glossy tiles, but a soft cloth and gentle cleaner still go a long way here. a tile’s material guidelines will be your best friend here.

satin finish

not quite glossy, not quite matte — that’s the beauty of the satin finish. satin finish tiles are those that are finished with, well, a satiny glaze. (our clé guild collection has some beautiful examples.)

like any glazed tile, a satin finish tile offers the benefit of easier everyday maintenance. it can maintain a relatively consistent look as it ages but may acquire some patina if installed on a floor.

textured finish

if a natural look is what you’re after, you’ll appreciate a tile with a textured finish. this term could refer to a texture coated tile, like those in our foundry flats brick collection. or it could refer to a tumbled travertine tile. (see also: pantry pavers.)

then, you have the world of unfinished tile, which of course is swimming in texture. unglazed porcelain, natural zellige, raw terracotta, and unfinished limestone are all options here.

this is a popular tile option for floor installations, as it tends to offer increased slip resistance. maintenance can vary, but textured tiles often benefit from regular sealing in order to protect them from excess moisture and stains.

polished finish

a polished finish most commonly refers to natural stone (and sometimes refined porcelain) that has undergone a polishing process to create a smooth and shiny finish. as you might expect, this type of finish reflects more light, which is something to think about as you plan the lighting in your space.

like most natural stone tile, polished tile tends to need regular sealing to prevent staining and help with repelling water.

honed finish

ah, the honed finish. this is the type of natural stone tile we like to think goldilocks would be into. not too shiny, not too matte, it has a smooth and consistent texture that might remind you of a well-loved suede jacket. it’s a quieter stone finish and has the added effect of softening the natural coloring of any stone.

honed tile offers more slip resistance than polished tile, so you’re more likely to find it on a bathroom, entryway, or kitchen floor. (it makes for a beautiful addition to walls and backsplashes too.) it’s very durable and requires little in the way of upkeep, but it does benefit from regular sealing like most natural stone tile.

selecting the right tile finish for your space

with so many tile finishes to choose from, we don’t blame you if you’re feeling torn between a few options. luckily, thinking about room type, traffic levels, maintenance requirements, and aesthetic preferences can help narrow things down.

room type

what room are you planning to install your tile in? in wet areas like bathrooms, adding a glossy tile to the wall can make for easy cleaning. but you’ll want a more slip resistant tile — such as a matte, textured, or honed tile — for the floor. (unless you’re opting for glossy penny rounds, which naturally call for more grouting and therefore give you more traction.)

outside of the bathroom, you’ll still want to make similar considerations in terms of water exposure and slip resistance, and whether the tile will be installed on the wall or floor. a tile’s technical specifications can help you determine if the tile is well suited for your space.

traffic levels

traffic levels are a key factor to consider if you’ll be installing tile on the floor. luckily, all tiles (at least those we offer) have a floor rating listed in the tile’s material guidelines. a lower rating of i signals that the tile is best reserved for walls or very light traffic areas, while a higher rating of iv or v means that the tile can withstand heavy foot traffic.

tiles rated for heavy foot traffic can have a variety of finishes. we most often see tiles with matte, textured, and honed finishes on floors in high-traffic areas.

maintenance requirements

different tile finishes come with different maintenance requirements. glossy and even satin finish tiles are easier to clean on an everyday basis because they are finished with a smooth glaze. you generally do not need to have them sealed regularly, either.

matte, polished, and honed tiles can be relatively simple to maintain as well, but they often benefit from regular sealing and acquire a patina with time as well. textured finish tiles are similar, though they can be the most involved when it comes to cleaning.

aesthetic preferences

don’t forget to think about what you imagine in your space. if you can’t resist a luxurious, room-expanding look, you might be drawn to glossy and polished tiles that reflect light. if, on the other hand, you’re one to embrace natural texture, you might favor a matte or textured tile. want something in between? satin or honed finish tile could be your perfect match.

tips for mixing and matching tile finishes

mixing and matching tile finishes can bring much-needed balance (not to mention practicality) to a room. not confident you can do this successfully? a few tips from us:

• try using a cohesive color palette. this can help tie everything together when there are different textures in the room.
• use a different finish to highlight a key area. you might, for example, use a glossy tile to set apart a feature wall or shower niche.
• play with pattern. for subtle but memorable effect, you could alternate glossy and matte tiles in a herringbone pattern.
• think practically. a glossy white subway tile makes for an easy-cleaning shower wall, while a matte black cement tile floor offers slip resistance.
• remember your lighting. glossy and polished tiles reflect light for a bright and airy feel, while matte and textured tiles absorb light for a cozier vibe.
• sample, sample, sample. choose a few (or many) different tiles you’re drawn to, then place them together in your space to better visualize things.