The secret to a finessed interior for your home starts with the kind of material you select for your walls and floors. Porcelain tiles, unlike many other finishing materials, offer you a range of alternatives for unique and functional finishes with an aesthetic appeal. Basically, porcelain tiles are made using fine clays that are fired at high temperatures compared to other tile materials such as ceramic. This makes them quite dense, hard, and less prone to staining and moisture absorption. Manufacturers use various finishes on the porcelain tile to ensure that they can meet most, if not all, of your functional demands. When buying porcelain tiles for the first time, the following are some of the finishes you probably had no idea about:

Glazed Porcelain Tiles

Glazed porcelain tiles come with a dense tile and a high degree of durability, which makes them suitable for both light and heavy traffic. The glaze refers to an impervious coating or layer of a vitreous substance fused to the porcelain material through firing. Its purpose ranges from hardening the material to decorating and making it waterproof. This makes glazed porcelain tiles very strong compared to tiles with other forms of finishes. Generally, you can tell the degree of hardness by looking at how dark or light the glaze is. Tiles with a lighter glaze often tend to have a harder surface compared to those with a darker glaze.

Polished Porcelain Tiles

After firing or baking at the factory, polished porcelain tiles are furnished using a machine to give a mirror-like appearance. They then undergo rectification to square the edges for a sharp and precise lining. Without a doubt, the shiny appearance of polished tiles gives your floor a flawless, sophisticated look that is both stylish and durable. They are ideal for places such as living rooms and verandas as they give a very good first impression of your house.

Matte/Unpolished Porcelain Tiles

Matte or unpolished finished is another popular style in the tile market. Here, the porcelain tile undergoes heating in a kiln to make it hard. Thereafter, it is removed in its natural form, and no further treatment (such as polishing and glazing) is done to the tile. The rough and rugged appearance makes a matte finish your top choice for a traditional feel in your home. If you like it vintage, matte is the way to go.

Notably, the rough finish adds lots of grip to the tile and makes it ideal for wet environments. Should you decide to use unpolished porcelain tiles outdoors, they certainly won't disappoint you. Learn more about tiling supplies from a local business.