Polished vs Matte Stone Tile – How to Choose the Right Option for Your Flooring Upgrade

When you’re replacing the floors in your home, you’ll need to choose the right flooring material to make the space pop. There’s no denying that natural stone tile can be a great way to elevate the look of your home while also reducing the amount of maintenance you need to perform just to keep your floors looking great. But once you start exploring your options, you’ll quickly see that choosing the type of stone is just one step. You’ll also need to choose the right finish for your floors. Both matte and polished floors will be great additions, but one may work better in your home than the other. Here’s how to decide.

Consider Your Lighting
As you walk through your home, consider how much light each room receives throughout the day. Darker rooms may benefit from polished stone tiles as the polished finish will help reflect natural light throughout the space. This can make dimmer areas appear brighter without forcing you to rely solely on electric lights. Bright rooms, on the other hand, may benefit from matte tiles. Remember, reflections on polished stone can be bright and may wash out your artwork and décor. 

Think About How Much Use the Room Gets
Flooring in high-traffic areas needs to be as durable as possible. And while natural stone is some of the most durable, matt tiles are typically better able to withstand heavy foot traffic. The surface of the stone shows less wear and is less likely to get scratched and visibly damaged over time. That doesn’t mean that polished stone can’t be used in high-traffic areas. It just means you’ll need to stay on top of maintenance more often and may need to get the floors polished and resealed more frequently. 

Be Mindful of Water
Polished stone can be incredibly slippery when wet and this can be a serious safety hazard if you’re not careful. If you’re thinking of using polished stone in your bathroom or kitchen, you’ll want to take extra precautions and use absorbent rugs near sinks and tubs. You may be better off using matte stone tiles in areas where moisture and water are common. This will reduce the risk of slips and falls and can keep your loved ones safer anytime they’re walking on your natural stone floor. 

Pay Attention to Your Aesthetic
Both polished and matte stone can work with different interior designs, but they tend to work better for different aesthetics. For example, if you’re trying to achieve a more contemporary look throughout your home, polished stone tiles will likely be a better option. They’ve been used in contemporary designs for decades and their high gloss finish lends itself to rooms full of metal accents. And if you’re trying to create a more rustic feel in your home, matte stone will help you do just that. The matte finish ties in a more natural look and can accentuate the warmth you’re trying to achieve with your furnishings. 

Both Options Can Be a Great Flooring Material
No matter what type of stone you’re considering, your home will look better once it’s in place. But you’ll still need to find the best tiles possible for your flooring upgrade. Contact Natural Stone Sales today or stop by our showroom to discuss your project’s needs.