High gloss, glossy or matt: which finish goes where

A catalogue page cannot show you gloss. The photo is flat, the paper is flat, and the two tiles that look identical on page 17 can behave completely differently under a tube light. That is the single biggest reason people are unhappy with a tile after it is laid.

So here is what the three finishes we sell actually do, and where each one belongs.

High gloss: the mirror

High gloss is polished to reflect. Ceiling lights appear as sharp spots on the floor, and a dark design like Atlas Black looks like a pool of water in the evening. It is the finish guests notice first.

It also shows dust first, and footprints on a dark high-gloss floor are visible from the door. Families with small children or a lot of foot traffic should think about where it goes. Drawing room and formal dining: yes. Kitchen floor where there is oil and atta on the floor every day: think twice.

Glossy: bright, a little forgiving

Most of the Drambay 2x4 range is glossy. It still reflects light and makes a room feel bigger, but the reflection is softer, so dust and marks are less sharp. This is the finish for bedrooms, kitchens and bathroom walls when you want brightness without the maintenance of a mirror floor.

On the Antila Sky product page there is a phone video of the real tile under a moving light. We made it because no still photo could show the difference. Watch it before you decide.

Matt: grip and calm

Matt does not reflect. It gives grip when wet, which is why our 600 x 600 range for terraces, parking and wet floors is matt porcelain and full body. Indoors, the carving matt range in 2x4 (Renoir Grey, Jupiter Brown, Opera Brown) is for people who want texture you can feel and a floor that does not announce every footprint.

One honest point: matt is harder to wipe clean of greasy marks than glossy. For a kitchen floor, glossy is usually the practical answer; for a kitchen wall dado, either works.

The showroom test

Stand at the door of the showroom and look across the laid-out tiles with the lights on. Then crouch and look along the floor at a low angle. That second view is what you will see every evening from the sofa. If a finish bothers you in the showroom, it will bother you at home.

Questions we get asked

Does PGVT mean glossy?

PGVT is the tile body (polished glazed vitrified). Most PGVT is glossy or high gloss, but the body name alone does not tell you the exact finish. Check the finish line on the product page or ask us.

Will high gloss scratch?

Any polished surface shows fine scratches over years. Felt pads under furniture and a soft broom instead of a hard brush are the two habits that matter.

Can I mix finishes in one room?

Yes, and it is a good trick: glossy floor, matt or carving on one wall. Keep the colour family the same.