A glazed porcelain tile backsplash brings a touch of charm and appeal to any kitchen with its glossy, reflective finish. Unlike matte or natural stone tiles, the high-gloss finish of glazed porcelain tiles creates a smooth, mirror-like surface that literally brightens up the entire kitchen. The light bounces off the glazed tiles, making the space appear larger and more open. The glossy tiles also provide depth and visual interest, as their sheen emphasizes the color and design of the tile. If you’re looking to add some lively style and flair to your kitchen backsplash, glazed porcelain tile is an excellent option to consider with its alluring glossy finish.
Why Choose Glazed Porcelain Tile for Your Backsplash?
Glazed porcelain tile has become an increasingly popular choice for today’s backsplashes, and for good reason. Here are some of the benefits that make it stand out:
Unmatched Durability
Porcelain is an incredibly durable material that can withstand years of wear and tear, making it perfect for busy kitchen backsplashes. The thick glaze applied to porcelain tiles adds an extra layer of protection against moisture, grease, stains, and scratches. Glazed porcelain tiles stand up well to heat and are less prone to chipping or cracking compared to other tile materials. This durability ensures your glazed porcelain backsplash will maintain its beautiful, like-new appearance for years to come.
Easy to Clean and Maintain
The glossy surface of glazed porcelain tile makes it a breeze to keep clean. Food splatters, grease, and water spots can simply be wiped away with a damp cloth. The tiles resist stains, are impervious to moisture, and don’t require any sealing or special maintenance like natural stone. This prevents the buildup of grime in the grout lines over time. Keeping your glazed porcelain backsplash sparkling clean is easy and hassle-free.
Stylish and Visually Appealing
Glazed porcelain tiles come in a boundless array of colors, patterns, shapes, and textures to suit any design aesthetic. The reflective sheen of the tiles adds instant visual appeal and depth to the backsplash. Unlike flat matte tiles, the light dances off the glossy finish, creating a vibrant feature wall that steals the attention. The glossy tiles pair beautifully with any countertop material and cabinetry as well. You can create anything from a bold, dramatic statement to a soft, understated elegance.
Resists Fading and Wear
The durable porcelain material and thick glaze make glazed porcelain tile resistant to fading, discoloration, and wear over time. The tiles maintain their original color vibrancy for years without being affected by sunlight exposure. Heavy usage in the kitchen also leaves no dingy marks or worn paths on these hard, non-porous tiles. The immaculate glossy finish continues looking fresh even after decades, outperforming other backsplash materials.
Provides a Hygienic Surface
The impervious, non-porous nature of glazed porcelain tile prevents the growth of mold, mildew, and bacteria. Food and grime have nowhere to seep in and accumulate. The glossy finish makes the surface easy to disinfect as well. This level of hygiene makes it an ideal backsplash choice near cooking areas. For those with allergies, glazed porcelain tile prevents exposure to allergens and improves the air quality compared to other porous surfaces.
Adds Value and Appeal
A glazed porcelain tile backsplash is a great investment that can significantly improve your home’s value. The luxurious, light-reflecting finish creates an ultra-modern look and feel that buyers find highly desirable. It also makes spaces appear larger, brighter, and more visually appealing. Even small kitchens get a spacious, upscale feel. The durability, ease of maintenance, and timeless style offered by glazed porcelain tile give homeowners excellent long-term value as well.
Glazed Porcelain Tile Backsplash Design Ideas
With its mirror-like gloss and limitless design options, glazed porcelain tile allows you to create any backsplash look you desire. Here are some stylish glazed porcelain backsplash ideas to spark your creativity:
Modern Geometric Patterns
Bold geometric shapes and lines in contrasting glossy colors make a dramatic contemporary statement. Try combining hexagons or triangular shapes in black and white, or glossy subway tiles stacked in interesting patterns. Geometric tiles in varying sizes can be arranged in eye-catching mosaics as well.
Vintage-Inspired Tiles
For a touch of old-world charm, look for glazed porcelain tiles with vintage-style designs like Moroccan patterns, classic geometrics, or decorative borders. Pair these with white grout for an antiqued look. Florals, scrolls, and ornate medallions work beautifully too.
Modern White Subway Tiles
A popular clean, minimalist look is glossy white subway tiles stacked in the classic bricklaid pattern. Pair them with bright white grout for a seamless modern feel. Subway tiles also allow you to get creative with boldly colored accent tiles.
Chic Marble and Stone Looks
Glazed porcelain now realistically mimics the look of natural stone with remarkably accurate veins, swirls, and shading. Try carrara, statuario, or calacatta marble looks, or faux travertine, slate, and onyx stones.
Metallic Tiles
Glossy metallic porcelain tiles in copper, bronze, silver, and gold add a glamorous, Mid-century modern or Art Deco vibe. They create the look of rich metal backsplashes at a fraction of the cost.
Vibrant Solid Colors
Make a bold colorful statement with glossy porcelain tiles in vibrant hues like emerald, sapphire, ruby red, citron, and rich turquoise. Contrast them with crisp white grout lines.
Moroccan-inspired Tile
Exotic Moroccan-style tiles in glossy blue or green hues, embellished with accents of yellow, orange, and red create a globally-inspired backsplash. Intricate patterns and mosaics enhance the look.
Modern Graphic Designs
For contemporary edge, try graphic glossy porcelain tiles in bold patterns like overlapping circles, zigzags, or abstract brushstrokes in black and white or colorful hues.
The design options are truly endless with glazed porcelain tile. Visit a tile showroom to view all the possibilities and find the perfect glossy tiles for your dream backsplash. Keep in mind factors like your cabinetry, countertops, flooring, and decor style when selecting tiles to create a cohesive look.
Design Tips for Installing a Glazed Porcelain Backsplash
Once you’ve chosen your gorgeous glossy porcelain tiles, proper installation is key to creating a flawless finished backsplash. Follow these tips:
Thoroughly clean and prepare the wall surface – Remove any old backsplash material or wall covering, and sand and fill any uneven spots for a smooth surface. Clean thoroughly since porcelain’s glossy finish will show any wall imperfections.
Use a high-quality tile adhesive – This creates a strong bond on the impervious porcelain tile surface. Consult your tile supplier for the best adhesive for porcelain tiles.
Laser-level tile layout – Mark plumb vertical and level horizontal reference lines on the wall to align tiles perfectly. This prevents distracting uneven lines.
Professional-quality tile cutter – Glazed porcelain tiles require specialized cutters to make clean, precise cuts without shattering the brittle tiles. Leave intricate tile cuts to the professionals.
Non-sanded grout for joints – Use unsanded grout between glossy tiles to prevent scratching the smooth surface. Match the grout color to tile color for a seamless look.
Seal and grout properly – After grouting, seal the tiles and grout lines with a penetrating sealer to prevent stains and moisture damage. Allow proper drying time.
Hiring a professional tile installer is advisable for top quality results, especially if you lack tiling experience. With their expertise, your glazed porcelain backsplash installation will have a flawless finished look that you’ll enjoy for decades.
Maintaining and Cleaning a Glazed Porcelain Backsplash
Caring for your glossy porcelain backsplash tiles is simple, thanks to the material’s durability and impervious nature. Here are some tips for keeping them looking like new:
- Use a pH-neutral gentle cleaner or plain water for everyday cleaning. Avoid harsh chemicals and abrasives that can damage the glossy surface over time.
- For tough grease or food stains, spray with a specially formulated porcelain tile cleaner and let it sit for a few minutes before wiping away.
- Vinegar or ammonia-based cleaners help eliminate hard water deposits or soap scum buildup. Rinse well after use.
- Scrub gently with a soft cloth, sponge or non-abrasive brush. Avoid abrasive pads, steel wool or wire brushes.
- Rinse tiles after cleaning and dry with a soft towel to prevent water spots, especially if you have hard water.
- Re-seal grout lines occasionally with a penetrating grout sealer to guard against stains and moisture penetration.
- Use a porcelain-safe polish occasionally for an extra-glossy finish. Avoid waxy polishes that cause buildup.
With minimal easy care, a glazed porcelain backsplash keeps its freshly installed pristine look for years of beauty and enjoyment. The durable, low-maintenance nature of the glossy tiles makes them a joy to have in the kitchen.
Cost of Installing a Glazed Porcelain Backsplash
What can you expect to invest for a glazed porcelain tile backsplash in your kitchen? Here’s a look at typical costs:
- Glazed porcelain tiles: $15-$40 per sq. ft., depending on factors like tile size, thickness, color, and design. Larger format tiles are typically more expensive.
- Tile adhesive: Approximately $40 for 25 lbs. which covers 30-40 sq. ft.
- Grout: Around $0.50-$1 per sq. ft. for materials. Epoxy grout costs more.
- Tiling tools: $50 – $200+ for basic tools for DIY installation – cutter, spacers, etc. Rental fees add cost for professional tools.
- Installation: For professional installation, costs range from $6 – $10 per sq. ft. or $600+ for an average sized backsplash.
- Sealer/polish: $30 – $50 for tile and grout sealants.
Total installation costs: Budget $10 – $30 per sq. ft. for glazed porcelain backsplash tile and installation. The average total cost falls between $1,000 – $3,000, depending on tile choices and installation decisions.
The money invested in a high-quality glazed porcelain backsplash yields excellent long-term value in terms of durability, ease of maintenance, and design flair. The glossy tiles retain their like-new appearance for decades, outperforming many other backsplash materials. Check for any available rebates onENERGY STAR rated tiles too.
With a wide spectrum of prices and designs, glazed porcelain backsplashes work with nearly any kitchen decor and budget. Just be sure to account for all materials, tools, installation work, and sealants when estimating your project costs. The dazzle and charm a glossy porcelain backsplash brings to your kitchen is well worth the investment.
Frequently Asked Questions About Glazed Porcelain Backsplashes
What is the difference between glazed and unglazed porcelain tile?
Glazed porcelain tile has a shiny, liquid glass coating applied to the surface at high temperatures. This protective top layer comes in gloss, matte or etched finishes. Unglazed has no top coating, resulting in a rougher, more natural porous look.
How durable is glazed porcelain tile?
Extremely durable. The dense porcelain body and tough glaze coating prevent scratching, staining, and moisture penetration. It stands up well in hot, high-traffic kitchens. Porcelain rates low on the Mohs scale for hardness, similar to granite.
Can you use glazed porcelain tile outdoors?
Yes, they work beautifully outdoors. Frost-proof tiles are best for areas with freeze-thaw cycles. The glaze protects porcelain from weathering and makes outdoor tiles easy to clean. They resist moisture, fading and staining.
What’s the best grout to use with glazed porcelain tiles?
Use unsanded grout. It creates smooth uniform joints without scratching the tile surface. Match the grout color as closely as possible to tile color for a near-seamless look. Choose a polymer-modified grout for increased flexibility and stain resistance.
Should you seal glazed porcelain tile?
Sealing is not required but advised for extra stain protection, especially for the grout joints. Use a penetrating sealer formulated for porcelain tile and grout. Reapply annually or as needed. Avoid topical sealers which can discolor tile.
What kind of tile cutter do you need for porcelain?
Porcelain’s hardness requires a wet saw or specialty porcelain cutter with a diamond encrusted blade. The lubricating water prevents heat buildup and chipping. Manual cutters usually can’t cut through dense porcelain cleanly. Leave intricate cuts to tile professionals.
Get the Look: Installing a Glazed Porcelain Backsplash
With minimal care, your glazed porcelain backsplash will maintain its pristine new look for decades.
A glazed porcelain tile backsplash brings a touch of charm and visual richness to your kitchen. The light dances off the smooth, glassy finish, instantly brightening the space. Choose from endless colors, designs, and patterns to create your dream backsplash. While porcelain tile requires careful installation, it rewards you with incredible durability, easy maintenance, and timeless beauty. Just imagine preparing meals surrounded by the vibrant sophistication of glossy porcelain tile. Let the charm and appeal of a glazed porcelain backsplash make your kitchen the heart of your home.