Tile materials and technologies

Smooth, matt, anti-slip — what the labels mean

Understanding tile labels

Walk into a tile showroom and you're hit with terms: rectified, through-body, polished, lappato, R11, PEI 4, frost-proof. Each describes a specific property that affects where and how the tile can be used. Here's what they mean in plain language.

Ceramic vs porcelain

Both are made from clay fired in a kiln. Porcelain is fired at higher temperatures, making it denser and less porous (under 0.5% water absorption). This makes porcelain frost-proof and suitable for outdoor use. Standard ceramic absorbs more water (3-10%) and is for interior use only.

Glazed vs through-body

Glazed tiles have a decorative surface layer fused to the clay body. The colour and pattern are only on the surface — chips reveal the different-coloured body underneath. Through-body (or full-body) porcelain has consistent colour throughout. A chip is barely noticeable, making it ideal for high-traffic commercial floors.

Rectified vs natural edge

After firing, tiles have slightly irregular edges. Rectified tiles are machine-cut to exact dimensions after firing, allowing tighter grout joints (1-2 mm). Non-rectified tiles need wider gaps (2-3 mm) to accommodate the natural size variation. Rectified tiles cost more but create a more seamless, modern look.

Surface finishes

• Polished — high-gloss mirror finish. Elegant but slippery when wet. For walls and dry floors only.
• Matt — non-reflective, natural texture. Better grip than polished. Suitable for floors.
• Lappato (semi-polished) — partially polished for a soft sheen. Good compromise between aesthetics and grip.
• Structured / textured — raised surface texture for enhanced grip. Used for anti-slip applications.
• Anti-slip rated (R9-R13) — tested to specific slip resistance standards. R9 for dry interiors, R10-R11 for wet areas, R12+ for commercial and outdoor.

Size and thickness

Tiles range from tiny mosaics (2x2 cm) to massive slabs (120x260 cm). Larger tiles create fewer grout lines and a more spacious feel, but they require flatter substrates, are harder to handle, and waste more material per cut. Standard sizes like 30x60 cm and 60x60 cm offer the best balance of aesthetics, handling, and efficiency.

Thickness ranges from 6 mm (wall tiles) to 20 mm (outdoor pavers). Floor tiles are typically 8-10 mm. Thicker tiles are heavier and harder to cut but more durable underfoot.