Are Glazed Tiles Better Than Dull-Finish Tiles?

Tiles each have their own different properties and can be purchased in both glazed as well as unglazed finishes. For floor and wall tiles, a glazed tile is considered to a better option as far as suitability goes.

Glazed tiles commonly refer to machine-made tiles that are cast into a die and then baked in a high degree temperature kiln most likely 2000ºF to give them a strong density of hardness along with colour. For further reliability it is very important that you add a glaze coating to the clay, as it is porous in nature. Compared to unglazed tiles, they are far more stain resistant and are available in a wide range of tones, designs and colours. Glazed tiles are recommended for wall applications and countertops because of their glossy finish and durable quality.g decorating bathrooms.

A glazed finish look can be found on Ceramic and Porcelain tiles; this kind of finish adds lustre and durability to the tiles. The availability of glazed ceramic tiles on the market today, tend to have a high density that allows very little or in most cases, no accrual of moisture. Porcelain and Ceramic tiles are very similar apart from the fact that Porcelain is said to be more durable and is most likely to last longer. They are better because they have been baked in a kiln at a very high temperature and have been made out of a better quality of clay. Due to their high resistance to moisture and stains, these tiles are more suitable for both wall and floor tiling. They can also withstand high volumes of traffic. Ceramic bathroom tiles are still available however and are fit for purpose.

Today glazed flooring tiles have become quite popular and are the most purchased tile type. Glazed tiles are used for bathroom designs and kitchen wall and floor tiling because of their ability to work well in wet conditions. They are produced in various countries like Spain, United States, Italy and Portugal to name a few. The quality of the tiles can be calculated according to the Porcelain Enamel Institute grading that rates the tiles according to their durability. Withstanding abrasions and other external conditions is included in their ability. The quality of tiles is measured on a rating scale from 0-5; the 0 catergory being less likely to withstand force and the 5 class considered to be the best.

Tiles in category 5 are most suitable for heavy traffic areas that are prone to dirt and heavy abrasions. Busy areas, that are subject to constant traffic are the best places to go e.g. shopping malls, subways, airports etc. Just like any other tiles, glazed tiles need to be inspected carefully before they are bought for installation. The CE marking and the BS EN 12004 certification will show the quality of grading given by the manufacturer; you must check this. These grading of tiles will help you determine if the tile type that you intend to buy is suitable for the kind of application you plan for it. Purchasing the right kind of tiles is very important, so once you have checked and compared this rating against the PEI rating, then you can rest assured that your purchase has been successful.