Tile Finish Guide: Choosing the Right Finish for Every Room

 When the time comes to decide what tiles you should have there is something more than just the appropriate size and the colour. The finish on the tile has big importance and determines the appearance and practicality of the tiles. But the most important aspect is the slip rating which provides safety and peace of mind. For all your indoor and outdoor projects it is essential to choose the suitable finish of the tiles.

In today's article we'll have a look over the most popular tile finishes, their best performance specifications and a few tips on how to style them.

  What are the most common tile finishes available on the market?

At Tilejob we can confirm that the most frequently used tile finishes  in residential and commercial properties are the following:

        1. Polished

        2. Semi-polished

        3. Matt

        4. Glazed

        5. Vitrified

        6. Honed

        7. Tumbled

                              1. Polished finish

Luminous Labradorite Onyx Blue Polished Tiles - 60x120cm

A polished finish is a tile surface that has been mechanically polished to create a smooth, glossy, mirror-like appearance. This surfaces reflects the light better and is  easier to clean. On the other hand this surface shows off every single water mark. Compared to matt surfaces, polished finish has less grip and considerably lower slip resistance.

   Key benefits for polished surface tiles:

• High-gloss, elegant and luxurious finish
• Reflects natural light and enlarges the space
• Makes rooms appear more airy and brighter
• Easy to clean and do not trap dirt.

 These are frequently used for:

• Living rooms
• Hallways
• Feature walls
• Hotel reception areas
• Luxury bathrooms

Tip from Tilejob: Polished/glossy tiles will get quite slippery in contact with water, please make sure you take this into account when designing your space.

                             2. Semi-polished  finish

Alloy Mint Semi Polished Porcelain Tiles 60x120cm

A semi-polished surface (also called lappato or satin finish) is a tile finish that combines qualities between matt and a fully polished surface. Some parts of the tile are polished, generating a soft sheen that reflects some light without having a mirror-like gloss. This surface is designed for better presentation of natural veining, textured nature of raw materials. These can easily hide small aspects like finger prints/marks or dust, in this way maintenance is much easier.

   Key benefits for semi-polished surface tiles:

• Introduce style and elegance in a balanced and a bit more organic way
• Perfect surface for hiding fingerprints and dust
• Highlights natural veining and textured appearance for stone and marble effects tiles
• Can deliver the same look but with more practicality compared to the polished finish.

These are frequently used for:

• Kitchens
• Bathrooms
• Living areas
• Contemporary interiors

Tip from Tilejob: Semi-polished tiles add the same sophistication to walls and floors but with a better technical approach for safety and maintenance.

                                3. Matt finish

Onyx Black Gloss and Matt 30x60cm

A matt finish is a tile surface that has a subtle texture, low sheen and non-reflective appearance. Compared to polished or glossy tiles, matt tiles do not reflect much light, has better slip rating and a more natural appearance.

 The key benefits for matt surface tiles:

  Better grip underfoot

  A more organic look and feel

  Suitable for wet areas

  Can be used outdoors with the corresponding slip resistance

  These are frequently used for:

   Wet rooms

   Kitchens

   Living rooms

   Bathrooms

   Hallways

   Patios

   Porch areas

Tip from Tilejob: Go for matt finish tiles to create a natural and elegant look. Matt finish tiles will fit in with any style and design scheme.

                  4. Glazed finish

Carat Gold Gloss onyx bathroom porcelain tiles 60x120cm

A glazed surface is a tile finish produced by applying a protective layer of liquid glass (glaze) to the tile before it is fired in a kiln. This glaze adds the tile its final colour, pattern, and finish, which can be matt, polished, textured, or glossy. This special layer makes porcelain/ceramic tiles less porous and adds considerable resistance and longevity. Most of man-made tiles like ceramic and porcelain will have a special protective glazing on the top.

    The key benefits for glazed surface tiles:

• Wide choice of colours and designs available in ceramic and porcelain
• Stain and scratch resistant surface
• Easy to keep clean
• Excellent moisture proof finish

These are often used for:

• Kitchens areas on walls and floors
• Bathrooms walls and floors 
• Splashbacks and spaces which might get hot
• Wall tiles as feature/statement
• Residential floors with high traffic

Tip from Tilejob: Glazed tiles are available in matt, polished, textured, tumbled and semi-polished finishes which do not require sealer, allowing them to be the most wanted and versatile materials used in the industry.

                   5. Vitrified finish

Livada red vitrified ceramic tiles 45x45cm

A vitrified finish always refers to a tile that has been manufactured using a high-temperature firing process, leading to the fusion of the raw materials into a dense, glass-like structure. This process develops a tile with very low water absorption, high strength, and excellent durability. Vitrified tiles are available in matt, polished, semi-polished and textured finish.

    The key benefits for vitrified finish:

• Highly durable and weather resistant 
• Resistant to spills  and increased moisture levels 
• Suitable for heavy foot traffic and wear
• Frost-resistant - porcelain products only.

These are frequently used for:

• Kitchens
• Bathrooms
• Hallways
• Commercial premises
• Outdoor areas (where specified)

Tip form Tilejob: Most contemporary porcelain floor tiles are vitrified and are highly recommended for domestic and commercial use indoors and outdoors ( please follow slip rating guidance).

                    6. Honed Finish

A honed finish is achieved by grinding the tile surface to create a smooth, matt appearance without polishing it to a high shine. It is commonly used on natural stone such as marble, limestone, and travertine.

The key benefits for  for honed finish tiles:

• Smooth but non-reflective with a more natural appeal
• Natural feel and texture
• Better grip than polished stone
• Can camouflage scratches 

    These are frequently used for:

• Bathrooms walls and floors
• Kitchens floors
• Hallways floors
• Traditional homes  and modern barn conversions
• Spa-style interiors bathrooms and showers.

Tips form Tilejob: Honed natural stone should usually be sealed  before and after installation to help protect against stains and re-sealed after a couple of years to prolong the life and appearance of this porous material.

               7. Tumbled finish

Canterbury Stone Charcoal Tumbled Limestone

A tumbled finish is crafted by placing natural stone tiles in a rotating drum with abrasive materials. This process will soften the edges and delivers the aged, weathered and  time impregnated appearance.

The key benefits for  tumbled finish

• Rustic character and charm
• Soft, rounded edges which add detailing 
• Excellent grip under foot and a more rugged surface
• Timeless look which can inject character and style to the whole project.

These are frequently use for:

• Farmhouse kitchens and open plan areas
• Period properties with wood beams and frames
• Country cottages with low ceiling
• Garden paths and terraces
• Outdoor patios and snug areas, conservatories.

Tip from Tilejob: Tumbled finishes work wonders with traditional interiors and reclaimed elements. These will create a perfect backdrop for exquisite and unique design schemes.

             Final Thoughts

Amalfi Rosso Outdoor terracotta tiles R11 

  At Tilejob we believe that it is very important to understand and identify the suitable characteristics for the tiles before making a decision. Polished finishes bring luxury and brightness, semi-polished surfaces introduce a subtle sheen, glazed tiles add versatility and easy maintenance, vitrified tiles provide outstanding durability, while honed and tumbled natural stone finishes create the perfect canvas for the timeless design.

We hope that this short guide will help you to understand the main differences between tiles and their finish. Depending on the place where the tiles will be installed, slip rating, traffic level and maintenance routine you should select the suitable material. There is a great variety of tiles available suitable for any budget and taste!

If you do require more support when choosing your tiles, please do get in touch for more assistance!