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Jun 27, 2022
What is the difference between unglazed and glazed porcelain tile?
When it comes to flooring solutions there is no doubt that porcelain floor tiles are the better choice. Porcelain tiles also triumph in all categories over ceramic tiles as well.
Porcelain tiles are generally have denser and thicker bodies than ceramic tiles and are significantly less porous. However like all things, not all porcelain tiles are made equal. When choosing flooring or wall solution using porcelain tiles you have a range of options, one of which is between unglazed porcelain and glazed porcelain. There are important differences between glazed and unglazed porcelain and we have listed a few below to assist in your choice.
Porcelain Tile Manufacturing Process
Glazed and unglazed porcelain tile is manufactured by compressing and tightly firing clay, silica and other naturally sourced materials at extremely high temperatures inside a specially made kiln. The extreme density and heat causes vitrification and is why porcelain is very resistant to water and other contaminants.
Glazed tiles undergo an additional process to the above manufacturing of porcelain tile. Glazed tiles have an additional layer of liquid glass that is between 5-7 microns thick added to the surface of the porcelain tile.
Durability
Glazed tile tend to be thinner and less dense than unglazed porcelain tile. A glazed porcelain tile’s durability if affected by the quality of its glaze. A lighter glaze is fired at higher temperatures which causes it to be denser than a darker glaze.
The additional layer of glass on glazed tiles makes glazed porcelain tile one of the most moisture resistant products. Generally glazed porcelain tile will have a porosity of less than 0.5%.
Unglazed porcelain tile tends to have an unfinished surface. The raw surface assist unglazed porcelain tile to be more slip resistant. Unglazed porcelain tiles, also known as fully vitrified tiles have the colour of the tile running through the entire body. This means that chips in the tile will remain hardly noticeable due to the same colour biscuit or body as the surface of the tile.
You cannot seal a glazed porcelain tile. The low porosity and resistance to moisture causes most sealants to wear off over time or not stick at all. Only few high quality sealants can work on unglazed porcelain due to its already high moisture resistant characteristics. You can choose to seal an unglazed porcelain tile but it is not necessary as it already has very similar properties to glazed porcelain.
If you want to know the price of unglazed polished porcelain tile, please contact us!
Porcelain tiles are generally have denser and thicker bodies than ceramic tiles and are significantly less porous. However like all things, not all porcelain tiles are made equal. When choosing flooring or wall solution using porcelain tiles you have a range of options, one of which is between unglazed porcelain and glazed porcelain. There are important differences between glazed and unglazed porcelain and we have listed a few below to assist in your choice.
Porcelain Tile Manufacturing Process
Glazed and unglazed porcelain tile is manufactured by compressing and tightly firing clay, silica and other naturally sourced materials at extremely high temperatures inside a specially made kiln. The extreme density and heat causes vitrification and is why porcelain is very resistant to water and other contaminants.
Glazed tiles undergo an additional process to the above manufacturing of porcelain tile. Glazed tiles have an additional layer of liquid glass that is between 5-7 microns thick added to the surface of the porcelain tile.
Durability
Glazed tile tend to be thinner and less dense than unglazed porcelain tile. A glazed porcelain tile’s durability if affected by the quality of its glaze. A lighter glaze is fired at higher temperatures which causes it to be denser than a darker glaze.
The additional layer of glass on glazed tiles makes glazed porcelain tile one of the most moisture resistant products. Generally glazed porcelain tile will have a porosity of less than 0.5%.
Unglazed porcelain tile tends to have an unfinished surface. The raw surface assist unglazed porcelain tile to be more slip resistant. Unglazed porcelain tiles, also known as fully vitrified tiles have the colour of the tile running through the entire body. This means that chips in the tile will remain hardly noticeable due to the same colour biscuit or body as the surface of the tile.
You cannot seal a glazed porcelain tile. The low porosity and resistance to moisture causes most sealants to wear off over time or not stick at all. Only few high quality sealants can work on unglazed porcelain due to its already high moisture resistant characteristics. You can choose to seal an unglazed porcelain tile but it is not necessary as it already has very similar properties to glazed porcelain.
If you want to know the price of unglazed polished porcelain tile, please contact us!
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