The subway tile is a very popular choice for contemporary interior design projects. Clearly noted for its elegant and timeless, you will find them widely used in many residential homes and commercial centers. It is important that you choose the right size and pattern as they play an important role in contributing to the overall feel of your room. You have the option of going for either matte or glossy. But remember, the choice has to be right as it affects the way light interacts with your room. Homeowners can install high quality ceramic tiles that align with their design preference when they work with reputable subway tiles suppliers in UAE.
What Are Matte and Glossy Subway Tiles?
The matte and the glossy finish are two popular finishes used for kitchens and bathrooms. This makes it natural to wonder which one to go for. Both are made of similar ceramic or porcelain based materials. It is the different physical properties that make them reflect light differently.
Glossy subway tiles come with smooth, glass-like liquid glaze that is fired at high temperature. This provides a very reflective surface that readily absorbs natural and artificial light. Matte subway tiles on the other hand soak up light instead of reflecting it. The result is a smooth velvety surface that is not shiny, but a contemporary and earthy appearance.
Key Differences Between The Two
Doing a deep comparison of both glossy and matte finishes would help you select the right material for your project. Here are the main comparison points:
- Light Reflection: Glossy tiles reflect light in a room. They make a room feel bright and spacious. Matte absorbs light and gives off a serene and composed ambiance.
- Maintenance & Care: Glossy tiles may need more frequent maintenance as water spots, soap scum and fingerprints will appear more rapidly on glossy surfaces and are easily wiped off. Matte surfaces do not show smudges, dust and water marks as clearly as shiny surfaces and make for less daily wiping.
- Tile Grip: Matte Tiles have a micro texture which makes it easier to grip when wet. Glossy tiles are smooth and are best when applied on the walls rather than floor tiles.
- Visual Atmosphere: Shiny finishes are always attractive because they have a clean look and feel. Matte finishes give a natural and earthy feel.
Factors to Consider When Choosing a Tile Finish
While considering matte and glossy finishes for your tiles, subway tiles suppliers in UAE specify some factors that you can consider:
- Consider the way your room is really used every day.
- Consider the space’s dimensions and daylight.
- Interior designers suggest glossy tiles for small bathrooms or kitchen corners because of their light reflective properties.
- The usage of the room and the foot traffic.
- Glossy subway tiles are used in traditional and classic kitchens.
- Matte finishes are ideally used with Scandinavian style designs. Also installed in rustic and contemporary kitchens.
- Cleaning and maintenance frequency
If you are looking for a low-maintenance surface where the surface doesn’t reflect every fingerprint ever graced it you can opt for the matte finish.
Best Applications for Matte Subway Tiles
- Ideal for busy family kitchens where a lot of cooking splatters and fingerprints happen
- Perfect for walls behind bathroom vanities, behind fireplaces in living rooms or behind a dining area.
- Perfect for wet spaces where water spots and soap build-up happen
- Bathrooms inside trendy cafes, boutique retail stores and modern office washrooms
Best Applications for Glossy Subway Tiles
- Small bathrooms to make spaces look more open and airy.
- Traditional kitchen backsplashes if you have polished marble countertops, chrome faucets, and glass cabinet doors.
- Behind stove outlets and sinks; but you will need to wipe off the splatters with damp microfiber cloth to remove food stains and grease splatters.
- Pantry nooks if you want the tiles to reflect some natural light
How Lighting, Maintenance, and Style Influence Your Choice
Adding the right type of lighting can completely change the appearance of the tile’s finish. Bright LED downlights on the glossy tiles can make the room’s ambiance harsh. Matte tiles have a diffuse capability that makes it well suited for your preference.
As for maintenance and cleaning, glossy surfaces will show smudges faster than matte tiles, but the advantage is that you can wipe them away easily. The textured surface of matte tiles needs cleaning as well or they will carry a lot of dust and grout. However, they do not need to be cleaned as often as surface tiles.
Selecting the Right Subway Tiles for Your Space
Still unsure of what type to choose? Here are some easy tips you can remember and implement:
- Try a sample from the supplier: The supplier will send you some physical samples, so you can try them in both daytime sunlight as well as in the evening artificial lighting before deciding.
- The right grout color: Getting a contrast grout like dark grey grout on white gloss tiles will make it really attractive.
- Mix Finishes thoughtfully: You can mix different finishes so the room will have a great balance of light and darks.
- Consistent thickness: The tiles should have consistent thickness to maintain their quality and tolerance.
Why Choose Gulf Ceramics for Premium Subway Tiles in UAE?
As your reliable subway tiles suppliers in UAE, Gulf Ceramics can help you find the right ceramic surface for your home or business construction project. Our showroom features an impressive collection of high-quality subway tiles, each bath noted for its style, durability and everyday use.
Our matte and glossy subway tiles come in a variety of rich colours, special dimensions and hand made finishes. We deal only in quality materials and the tiles will be dispatched and delivered on time.
Conclusion
Subway tiles can be used in a variety of ways, whether matte or glossy. If you want to know which would be the most suitable choice for your project, just get in touch with us at Gulf Ceramics and we can help you choose from the wide range of tile designs on offer.
