Choosing Between Glossy Tiles and Matt Tiles

04 February 2025

The finish is one of the most important steps to look at when choosing tiles for your home. Questions such as glossy or matte often come up and while both have their unique features on the type of room they have to be used in, the chosen look or feel and functionality. In any case, whenever you are planning to change the kitchen, bathroom or living room, it is important to know the basic differences between glossy and matte tiles.

Now it’s time to compare and decide which type of tiles suits best to your space – Glossy or Matt tiles?

Glossy Tiles: Shiny, Sleek, and Stylish

Glossy tiles have a shiny surface that makes them look neat, clean and most importantly classy. These tiles reflect light in numerous ways creating illusions of given rooms as being larger than they really are.

Advantages of Glossy Tiles

Brightens Spaces: High-gloss finished tiles are a perfect choice if you need to improve light in a certain premise. A reflective surface affects light to open up space and make rooms seem or seem more spacious especially in regions susceptible to low light.

Easy to Clean: Glossy type is preferred and easier to clean because they are nonporous and feel slippery when touched. Accidental spillages as well as dust and dirt can be easily wiped off but smears or hand prints may be present.

Elegant and Modern Aesthetic: Glossy tiles give a royal touch to areas, so they are best sued for contemporary smooth looks. They are fits well with modern kitchen, bathroom and living room.

Makes Small Spaces Feel Larger: Thin and bright colors creeping areas with tiles appear spacious due to light reflection; they can be used in kitchens and bathrooms.

Disadvantages of Glossy Tiles

Slipperiness: However, the most significant disadvantage of glossy tiles is that these surfaces are highly slippery and even more so when they are wet. This can be a safety concern especially when used in places such as washrooms or kitchen because of chances water may spill.

Visible Dirt and Smudges: Matte tiles hide dirt and stains in comparison to the high-gloss tiles with its shiny surface can easily grab dirt, finger marks and smudges. For them always to be clean and shiny, they should be cleaned often.

Prone to Scratches: They nevertheless are slippery in appearance, are shinier with fewer grasp factors which make the surface quicker to be scratched by any abrasive particle compared to matte tile floors especially those receiving heavy traffic.

Matt Tiles: Subtle and Practical

While the tiles of Matt Tiles are non-glazed, those of Glazed Tiles have a reflective surface. They feature less of a flamboyant design and are easier on eyes than the metals that complement them.

Advantages of Matt Tiles

Better Slip Resistance: The rough surface of matte tiles provides better friction than the shiny surface of glossy tiles; therefore, they tend to be safer to use especially during a shower. They also make them suitable for application in sections within the house that are likely to be exposed to moisture such as the washrooms and kitchens.

Easier to Maintain: Matte tiles are not as bright as gloss tiles and therefore dust, fingerprints and smudge marks are hard to come by. What this makes for them is the ability for use in areas that are frequently accessed and require regular cleaning and maintenance.

Subtle and Elegant Look: Matte finish tiles are in high demand and as seen in the market, they come in a natural and subtle look as opposed to the shiny ones that look more chic. They are rather effective in country, cloistered styles and are ideal for small spaces that are aimed to be warm and down to earth.

Scratch and Stain Resistant: Many people think that matt tiles can get damaged easily but, it is on the contrary because matt tiles are easily washable, more resistant to scratching and staining as compared to glossy tiles that are used in houses.

Disadvantages of Matt Tiles

Does Not Reflect Light: While compared to glossy tiles, matte tiles do not have reflective surfaces which might give a room a lighter appearance. However, if you’ll be using an area that is not that large, the matte tiles will not provide you with enough light.

Requires More Frequent Cleaning for Stains: Even though matte tiles seem less conspicuous because of the stains, dirt and dust it can attract, they are harder to clean since the surface is roughened. This can make some matte tiles less easy to clean, or difficult to maintain in specific ways, in areas that are frequently used.

Limited Shine: However, if you are interested in getting a set of tiles that would give a perfect shine, then you would possibly fail to get that from matte tiles. While they are eye-catching they are not as flashy as you might like and look more country than cityish.

Glossy vs. Matte: Key Differences

This involves a major difference between glossy and matte tiles in regard to the finish that is given to the ceramic material. Glossy tiles are thicker and give a bright glaze to the work surface, and they are shinier in appearance compared with matte tiles that are thinner and do not reflect light. Before moving any further in the behavioural comparison of the two finishes let us refine their properties.

Which Tile Finish is Best for Your Home?

It is important to understand that each tile type comes with certain features that make it suitable for specific projects, and the final choice depends on the purpose of tiles.

When to Choose Glossy Tiles:

1. Modern and Minimalist Designs: Many people believe that tiles make the room look cold, however, high-gloss tiles will give an elegant appearance to any room.

2. Small Rooms: If you have less square meters in your bathroom, the use of glossy tiles will make the overall space look more expansive and light.

3. Areas with Good Lighting: For those who have been gifted with natural or artificial lightning in their rooms, glossy tiles will only improve the light even more and the airy feel of the room.

4. Easy-to-Clean Surfaces: For space where hygiene matters such as in the kitchen, thus the sleek tiles can be shiny making it easier to clean.

When to Choose Matt Tiles:

1. High-Traffic Areas: For foyers, corridors or kitchens with heavy usage it is good to use matte tiles because they are more abrasive and able to handle frequent friction.

2. Wet Areas: Well, in the bathroom, or when the house is built with some open spaces facing the exterior, or even kitchens, matte tiles are better as they are not slippery.

3. Rustic or Casual Designs: For those of you who like to have the rustic finish look, matte tiles will definitely be advantageous since it is not susceptible to create that shine as the shiny tiles.

4. Low-Maintenance Spaces: Every time people are in a hurry looking for a finish that does not show dirt dust or smudges you find that having matte tiles is very beneficial as it is easier to maintain.

Choosing Between Glossy and Matt Tiles: What to Consider

When choosing between glossy and matte tiles, consider the following factors:

Space Size and Light:

For more detailed information, please refer to: Small or little rooms and areas or rooms with little light are recommended to use the glossy tiles due to their shiny surface.

And these matte tiles can be very useful when you are planning to design a big hall or when you have enough lights or are going for a more organic look.

Safety and Maintenance:

Even if you don’t have any particular preference for one type of tile over another, you may want to choose a matte finish if the tiling area is likely to be damp or is going to get a lot of foot traffic as these surfaces are gentler on the feet and can also mask some grime as well as scratches.

If a walkway has to be cleaned very often and has to be glossy, then perhaps glossy tiles are the answer.

Design Style:

Shiny/ Glossy tiles are suitable for modern/contemporary/neat look homes, and we have the rough/ Matte tiles for raw/non-modern/earthy look homes.

Budget:

Glossy tiles are known to be significantly more expensive than matte tiles, so if you’re planning a budget friendly renovation while still maintaining a quality finish, matte tiles may be the best choice for you.

Glossy or Matt? Choose Now!

Conclusion

Both glossy tiles and matt tiles offer unique benefits, and the decision ultimately depends on your personal style, the functionality of the space, and maintenance preferences. Glossy tiles are ideal for modern spaces where light reflection and a shiny, polished finish are desired, while matte tiles are perfect for those seeking a more understated look and easy maintenance.

Whether you're upgrading your bathroom, kitchen, or any other space, Ilex Ceramica offers a wide range of both glossy and matt tiles, ensuring you find the perfect fit for your home. With premium quality, durability, and design flexibility, Ilex tiles will enhance the look and feel of any room. Explore our collection today to discover the ideal choice for your next renovation!