When you are choosing which tile to install, people generally think of color first, but it is important to consider the finish too. Do you want your tiles to reflect light? Have a softer look? Do you want some texture? You should also consider where you are installing as well, as some finishes are better suited for certain applications. Also, not all of our finishes are available in all of our materials. Below, we'll break down the five finishes that we offer.
Matte Finish
Tile Shown: Black Hills Brick // Design: Paula Oblen, Bobby Berk // Image: Sara Tramp
You can find matte glazes in our glass, brick and ceramic tiles. Matte tiles have a non-reflective surface and we offer them in several neutrals, whites and colors too. The subtle texture of a matte glaze has a softer effect that adds something special to any installation.
Tile Shown: Mustard Seed 2x8 // Design & Image: High and Tight Design
Mattes work wonderfully for floor tiles as they offer more grip and slip resistance.
All of our matte glazes have a DCOF value above .42 and are rated for wet areas where slip resistance is helpful.
Tile Shown: Frost Matte 3x12 // Design: Hatchworks // Image: Robert Gomez Photography
For even more peace of mind in wet areas, consider a mosaic tile under 3” to maximize grout lines to add grip.
Satin Finish
Tile Shown: 3x9 Pearl Satin // Design: Haven Building & Design Company // Image: Sage Aesthetic // Installer: Serghei Frosiniuc
Satin finishes are available in our Natural Press Ceramic Tile product line, including our budget-friendly Essentials that ship in 5 days or less from our Quick Ship Shop. A satin finish offers a flat, sophisticated sheen that features a touch more luster and reflectiveness than matte glazes.
Satin finishes are suitable for all vertical surfaces (walls, backsplashes, showers, fireplaces, pools, etc) as well as residential floors.
Tile Shown: 4x4 Terre Verte, Red Jasper + Indigo Satin, 2x2 Red Jasper Satin // Design: Pluck Architecture // Image: Leonid Furmansky
You can see the smooth finish Satin offers in the installation below.
Tile Shown: 3x3 Manzanita Satin // Design: Michaela Hoo
Gloss Finish
Tile Shown: Calcite Gloss Mini Star and Cross // Design: Jessie Lane Interiors // Image: Jess Isaac
Gloss finishes have a shiny, semi-reflective sheen. Gloss finishes are seen most frequently, as this sheen offers a classic feel on floors and walls.
Tile Shown: Lake Tahoe Wave // Design: Elemental Green // Image: Jill Tiongco Photography
You can see the shine, variation and crackle that can exist within finishes like Frost, shown here.
Tile Shown: Frost
You will also find Gloss finishes like Turquoise (shown below) where there is very little variation. Just be sure to check the variation level on each color page!
Tile Shown: Turquoise
Gloss with Engobe Finish
Tile Shown: Sand Dune 4x4 & 2x6, Olympic Brick // Design: Lauren Bradshaw Design // Image: Joseph Bradshaw
Engobe is where we place a white primer on our Recycled Clay Body and then the colored glazed on the top. This finish accentuates the color and makes for a watercolor-like appearance. Engobe finishes will typically have a higher variation level, along with a bit of crazing.
You can see how this finish has a lot of color variation.
Tile Shown: Nautical
You can use gloss with engobe glazes for both wall tile and flooring applications.
Tile Shown: Evergreen 2x6 // Design & Image: Claire Thomas
You can see how an Engobe glaze can really showcase color variation in the bathroom below:
Tile Shown: Salton Sea 2x8 // Design: Michelle Lisac Interior Design // Image: Ellen Vanessa
Matte with Engobe
Tile Shown: Calcite Mini Star and Cross // Design: The True House // Image: Mino Pro Media Group, LLC
Engobe also comes in several matte finishes, blending the accentuation of engobe primer with the subtlety of matte glaze.
Tile Shown: Neptune 2x2 Sheeted // Design & Image: American Growers Company
Mix and Match
Tile Shown: Feldspar Gloss 3x3 & Dolomite 3x3 // Design: Autumn Hachey, TWENTY-TWO TWELVE, Stay Here // Image: Michelle Johnson
If you can't decide on which finish to choose, consider using more than one. Mixing gloss and matte glaze, for instance, creates intriguing variation even across similar colorways. Feature a border, checkerboard, stripe or scattering of opposing finish to set your design apart.
Tile Shown: Desert Bloom, Mandarin, Ember, Mustard Seed, Aegean Sea, Magnolia w/ Black Patine, Lake Tahoe, Spruce Gloss, and Lichen 2x8 // Design & Image: Banyan Bridges
Do you love our finishes? Order color samples online now. Still not sure which sheen is right for you? Simply call, chat, or fill out our Design Assistance Form and one of our talented Design Consultants will get back to you shortly.
