Remodeling any space is exciting, but the process is a little scary. There’s always that moment when a little bit of doubt creeps in. Nevertheless, it always turns out beautifully! What did it need? Finish! Tile finishes are what bring the whole design together. They are different effects on the surface of the tile that can alter the appearance. There are two different categories to consider which are stone vs. man-made tiles such as porcelain, ceramic, and more.
Stone is passed under several polishing wheels. Each turn, the pad gets finer and finer to smooth out the stone and shine it up. Some of the finishes stone can have are.
- Satin has a softer look, not appearing as shiny. The stone doesn’t have as many passes of the polishing wheel.
- Honed finish has even fewer passes of the polish wheel, giving it a matte look.
- Brushed is achieved when the wheel has metal bristles scraping into the stone like an orange peel. This method adds a softened texture.
- Tumbled is what it says. The tiles are added to a large drum where they shake around. This method wears down the surface and roughens it up.
- Natural is cleaned up, but for the most part, has nothing done to them. Each piece is a different shape and size. It’s perfect for an outdoorsy feel.
natural stacked black matte stone wall with large black matte tiles.
two rectangular white wash basins are on top of the long wooden cabinet with
white doors. large white matte floor tiles. wooden floor tiles in walk-in shower.
ceiling strip cove lighting with embedded spotlights.
Man-made Stones are unique in that they can come in all sorts of colors, designs, and textures.
- Polished tiles are double fired – the first round is to get the proper color or pattern while the second fire is for the clear coat. The last step is a seal that will maintain their appearance.
- Glossy finishes are achieved when a glaze is added instead of using a polishing wheel. The thickness of the glaze will manipulate the color.
- Matte tiles are glazed with a non-shiny finish where it refuses to reflect the light. This finish is perfect for a more contemporary look.
- Anti-Slip finishes are perfect for areas like the kitchen, bathroom, and even the entryways. This is achieved when sand or another fine grit is added to the matte glaze. It
creates a rough enough texture to allow your feet to grip without being uncomfortable. - Textured tiles are made from a mold to achieve their finish. The mold is then glazed and fired for the finishing touch.
Are you thinking about redoing your flooring? Contact us today!
