TILE: CERAMIC OR PORCELAIN / MATTE OR GLAZED

Are you looking to purchase some tile for your new home, or considering remodeling? Today there are myriad options to choose from, and this excellent article from www.builddirect.com will help break it down for you so that you can make the wisest choice for yourself. Enjoy! ~Dawn

The Different Characteristics Of Glazed And Unglazed Tile

When it comes time to plan out your home renovation project, you’re faced with finding a balance between the practical and the decorative. Luckily, with ceramic and porcelain tile you get both.

Despite this, not all ceramic and porcelain tiles are the same – glazed and unglazed options have their differences that offer distinct advantages for different spaces. The main differences between the two types of glazed tile come down to thickness, slip resistance, scratch resistance, stain resistance, style options, and finishing process. Here’s a quick snap shot of these differences:

Glazed Tile vs Unglazed Tile: At a Glance

	Glazed Tile	Unglazed Tile
Finishing touches	Additional firing process in kiln, a layer of liquid glass is added to tiles	No additional firing process
Thickness	Less dense/thick (lighter glazes are harder than darker glazes)	Denser and thicker
Slip Resistance	Liquid glass top coat less slip resistant	More slip resistant in moist/high traffic areas
Scratch Resistance	Higher lustre shows more scratches	Scratch resistance
Stain Resistance	Resists staining with non-porous liquid glass top coat	More vulnerable to stains
Style Options	Wider range of styles/colors	Earthy coloring/aesthetic

Glazed Tile vs Unglazed Tile: Explained

How are glazed and unglazed tiles made differently?

In terms of how they are manufactured, there is no difference between glazed and unglazed ceramic and porcelain tile, other than the fact that glazed tiles undergo an additional phase in the firing process. During this additional process, a layer of liquid glass is added to glazed tiles by means of very high temperatures.

Performance of unglazed ceramic and porcelain tile

Unglazed tiles tend to be denser and thicker than glazed tiles, and because of their unfinished exteriors, they tend to be a great choice if you’re looking for a slip resistant surface in an area like a laundry room or kitchen where the tile is likely to be subjected to high amounts of moisture. In terms of safety, this is a big consideration. For areas with heavy foot traffic, as well as outdoor applications (in milder climates), unglazed tiles are a very good choice.

Along with safety benefits, unglazed ceramic and porcelain tiles are sought after because of their scratch resistance and natural beauty. Since they’re colored by the mineral deposits from where the clay was originally taken, these tiles offer an earthy aesthetic quality. A limitation of unglazed ceramic and porcelain is their vulnerability to staining. As a precaution, it’s a good idea to use a sealant and a wax after installing unglazed ceramic tile indoors.

Performance of glazed ceramic and porcelain tile

Although glazed ceramic and porcelain tile are a little less robust in terms of density and thickness than their unglazed counterpart, they allow for a wider range of styles and colors. Glazed tiles also tend to be more resistant to staining, as they’re protected by a non-porous layer of liquid glass.

When it comes to the glaze itself, different options are available and will impact the degree of durability. Some varieties of glazed tile are fired at higher temperatures than others, and therefore are harder as well. This can often be determined by how light or dark the glaze is, with lighter glazes generally being harder than darker glazes.

Then there is the issue of gloss: matte and satin finishes are generally harder than shiny finishes. As always, it’s a good idea to try and strike a balance between practicality and decorative taste when choosing your glazed ceramic and porcelain tile.

Whether you choose glazed or unglazed tile, both types have their own unique qualities. As always, it’s best to know the needs of your space and the look you are after. This way, your flooring project will be something you can enjoy for many years in the future.

Source: www.builddirect.com

Presented by Dawn Deegan, Broker/Owner of Make A Brilliant Move Realty. Dawn holds the designations of ABR (Accredited Buyer Representative), CRS (Certified Residential Specialist), GRI (Graduate Realtor® Institute), Short Sale Foreclosure Resource (SFR), and is a Certified Negotiation Expert (CNE). She is Quality Service Certified (QSC), holds the Transnational Referral Certification (TRC), and is Gold Key Certified. Dawn is devoted to providing only the best possible services and expertise to her Buyers and Sellers of residential Real Estate in the Greater Orlando area. This area includes Windermere, Orlando, Winter Park, Baldwin Park, and Davenport. Dawn’s emphasis is on achieving the best possible prices through thorough market knowledge, communications, and transactional expertise, resulting in a quality experience for the Buyer or Seller of Real Estate. Contact Dawn Deegan at 407 488 8074 or at DawnDeegan@gmail.com Visit her at www.MakeABrilliantMove.com