Difference Between Glazed and Unglazed Ceramic Tiles

When choosing the materials for your home, you need to strike the perfect balance between what looks good and what is practical. This is what you should keep in mind when deciding whether to use glazed or unglazed ceramic tiles. Before making a decision, you first need to learn the difference between the two.

Both glazed and unglazed ceramic tiles are manufactured the same way. The only difference is that glazed tiles go through an additional step, the firing process. During this procedure, a layer of liquid glass is poured or sprayed onto the surface of the tile. The tile is then baked under high heat, which causes the liquid glass to harden.

Features of glazed ceramic tiles

Glazed ceramic tiles are the most widely used tiles for bathrooms, kitchen backsplashes, and laundry areas. They have a glossy appearance which makes them easy to clean, stain and scratch-resistant, and fire-resistant. They are also available in a wide range of colours and designs. However, once a glazed tile gets chipped or marked, it cannot be repaired, and you need to replace it. Glazed tiles are not suited for commercial or outdoor use and are often used in residential applications.

Features of unglazed ceramic tiles

Unglazed tiles are thicker and more compact than their glazed counterpart which makes them more suitable for heavy commercial and outdoor applications. Unglazed tiles are available only in natural clay colours such as brick red and different shades of brown. Their matte finish and rough surface give them a slip-resistant quality, so they’re a perfect choice for outdoor and wet areas.

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