Why choose matt tiles? Find out more with our ultimate guide to matt tiles – styles, benefits and design tips. As well as thinking about tile style ie the look of a tile, you will also need to think about tile finish. The finish you choose for your tiles will really impact the overall look and feel of your finished space. In addition, the finish of a tile will also impact how slippery a tile is, particularly when wet. Ceramic and porcelain tiles are available in a number of finishes including polished, honed, gloss, natural antislip and of course, matt.
Matt tiles have a non-reflective surface that brings an understated, refined look aswell as practical benefits to any space. They are the perfect combination of functionality and elegance. They are soft and natural in appearance, are easy to maintain and don’t show smudges as easily as polished surfaces will. Matt tiles also have a higher slip resistance than a glossy tile when wet, making them idea for bathrooms and kitchens.
Matt tiles are the go-to for interiors designed to deliver a sophisticated, contemporary look and feel. Where highly polished tiles deliver the wow factor and speak of luxury, matt tiles bring a calm, modern aesthetic. The non-reflective surface of matt tiles tends to absorb light or even gently diffuse it and this in turn makes spaces feel cosier. Any design expert will tell you that it is important to combine the rough with the smooth when it comes to interiors – it takes different textures to create a cohesive design and the tiles you choose are a key element of this.
With porcelain or ceramic floor tiles covering entire ground floors sometimes, the tile and tile finish you choose may need to work across several rooms including kitchen, living area, downstairs bathroom, dining area and even outside. Even those tiles that fall under the “matt” umbrella can vary slightly in finish with tiles that feature a very soft, subtle sheen to those that have a more matt appearance.
Matt finishes allow colour and sometimes pattern to stand out without overwhelming spaces and many contemporary matt tiles are subtle in design – think concretes, cements, stones, limestones – all of which are perfect for creating a sophisticated canvas for ground floors, kitchens, or bathrooms that compliments and works well with all kinds of furniture and décor. These types of tiles are designed to be beautiful to look at but are not the focus of the room. They are the canvas upon which the room is created.
Porcelain tiles are designed to mimic other materials. Leading manufacturers are innovating constantly looking to create tiles that are highly realistic and surface texture plays a key role in this. The latest matt tiles are aligning pattern and texture so marble tiles not only look like marble, but they also feel like marble with surfaces that highlight the veining of real marble. Concrete tiles not only look like concrete, but the surface texture also emulates the hewn surfacing associated with this material. And yet, these tiles are designed to be easy to clean – a critical element for any busy household.
With tile tones definitely leaning towards warmer tones, sands, off-whites, creams and taupes are the go-to shades. What’s more, they are perfect for creating a cosy ambience and a soft matt finish just enhances this.
Beyond style, matt tiles are highly functional. The provide better grip than some polished or semi-polished tiles making them a better option for wet areas like kitchens and bathrooms. They are also ideal for bathroom walls and kitchen splashbacks because they don’t show stains and smudges so easily – although we should add the colour and style of tile will also affect this.
Our innovative Antislip Soft matt finish tiles feature an R11 A+B+C surface finish with a soft touch, making them easy to clean whilst delivering a slightly higher grip – this makes them ideal for use across the home. You can see all our Antislip Soft tiles here.
Consider lighting: As matt tiles tend to absorb more light, rather than reflect it, they can be better suited to well-lit areas. However, opting for a lighter toned tile may be a good solution if you still want to choose a contemporary matt finish for your tiles.
Consider tile size: Tile format will also impact the overall look and feel of your space. Larger tiles in the realms of 80 x 80, 90 x 90, 1m x 1m or even 1.2 x 1.2m mean there are less grout lines and this makes spaces feel more expansive and can make small rooms look and feel larger.
Consider material: porcelain tiles are very durable and hardwearing and highly water resistant so they are the ideal choice for kitchens and bathrooms. Porcelain is a very dense material so it is heavier and trickier to cut than ceramic tiles but this also means that unlike ceramic tiles, it can be used outside in the right slip ratings. Ceramic tiles in matt finishes can prove more affordable than porcelain and are great for areas with moderate to low footfall.
Consider slip resistance: Most matt tiles will have a slip rating of an R9 or an R10. An R10 tile is highly versatile and can be used across the home. For wetrooms however, a higher slip rated tile is required with a minimum of an R11 rating. Read more about slip ratings here.
Consider cleaning: most matt tiles are easy to clean so they really are low maintenance.
Matt tiles are a top pick for today’s contemporary interiors. Elegant and stylish they offer the perfect combination for modern homes. The tiles you choose can add value to your home, so investing in a good quality porcelain tile is key. Our collections include a whole host of gorgeous matt tiles for use across the home. Explore the gallery below to find out more! Or click here to see all our matt tiles and here to see all our natural finish tiles.
Click the images to head straight to these tiles on our website. Working on a project? We’d love to help! Get in touch and let us start searching for beautiful tiles with you!
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The TilePortfolio specialise in Italian and Spanish Porcelain and Ceramic tiles, in particular large format Porcelains and Porcelain tiles for inside and outside. Our carefully curated, stunning tile portfolios are beautifully presented online and supported by our fuss-free ‘go-the-extra-tile’ service. In addition, you can view our entire tile collection at our Northamptonshire Showroom. Visit our website for unmissable interiors inspiration. The TilePortfolio team are always available to chat, we’d be delighted to help with your project so please do get in touch.
Please note: We strongly recommend using a professional tiler for your project. Installation requirements may vary depending on the tiles you choose, the fixing products used and the specific conditions. Always check with your tiler regards the suitability of the tiles. Please get in touch with us if you have any questions.
