Matte or glossy floor: advantages and disadvantages

Wood and ceramic floors come in different models. Some are matte, while others are glossy. Which finish best suits your home decor and lifestyle?

In fact, your selection should be more than just aesthetic! To make the right choice when shopping for a new wood or ceramic floor, consider their characteristics.

The 4 types of finishes

First, you should know that there are four different finishes for wood and ceramic floors: matte, satin, semi-gloss and gloss. The gloss level is determined by the amount of light reflected from the floor at a 60 degree angle, which is approximately how the floor covering looks when standing on it. The choice of finish will not impact the life of your floor or its price.

The advantages of a glossy finish

A ceramic or wood floor with a glossy finish is very elegant.
This finish is the most light reflective! This makes it a great option to add a visual interest to the decor, without using more colors or decorative objects.
A glossy ceramic can also give a small room an effect of grandeur, again because of the way it reflects natural or artificial light.
It is also a popular look in modern interiors.

The disadvantages of the glossy finish

On the other hand, this type of finish is the one that allows more dirt to show through. Footprints are also more visible on this finish.
Maintenance involves more regular cleaning; and for wood floors, more frequent sanding. To be avoided for a house full of young children and animals!
In addition, glossy ceramic can be slippery when wet: be especially careful in the bathroom! For those who like the shine but want a more practical option, a semi-gloss finish could be considered.

The advantages of the matte finish

Matte flooring doesn't reflect much light, which can be a drawback for some, but appeals to minimalist decor lovers looking to reduce visual overstimulation.
In addition, matte finishes hide scratches, dust and dirt more easily, making them a good choice for households that are busy with tasks other than frequent floor cleaning. It's also a good choice when you have children and pets.
This finish keeps its new appearance longer, which is an important advantage.

The disadvantages of the matte finish

On the flip side of all their qualities, matte floors have very little shine and some people find that flooring can look dull with this type of finish.
On the ceramic side, the matte finish is not as soft to the touch as the gloss.
In addition, a dull, porous ceramic kitchen floor will be more difficult to clean, especially if greasy materials have soaked into it.

A popular choice: the satin finish

Not sure which one to choose? Halfway between gloss and matte is the satin finish, also called lappato, which is an easy trend to adopt. It's a good compromise! The satin finish has a bit of shine, but doesn't look too shiny. It gives the room a classic yet contemporary feel. Today, satin finish is often preferred in all floor tones, from light to dark.

In any case, you must also listen to your heart: the choice of flooring should not be taken lightly, since it will be difficult to hide it if you regret. Tip: Bring a sample home before you order!