How And When To Use Lappato Tiles
While buyers can often get distracted with tile shapes and colours, lappato tiles are the perfect choice when it comes to combining style and functionality.
Most renovators and builders are so busy comparing their options as to how a tile visually looks, that they often forget to consider how the tiles should function as a practical building material. Whether it’s for a splashback, floor or wall – with plenty of choices for each of these key areas – lappato tiles have remained a popular option for good reason.
Your Guide To Lappato Tiles
When selecting a tile finish, many buyers tend to focus on the look and feel of a tile, without considering the practical components as to which type of finish is best suited to a specific room or space in their home. After all, the tiles you select for your bathroom are not going to be suitable for an outdoor patio area, as the needs of each space are vastly different.
Tile series generally come in three types of finishes – matt, lappato and grip. Each tile finish offers its own set of benefits and drawbacks, so it’s crucial to understand the differences before settling on a selection.
Surprisingly, the name we use for lappato tiles is relatively self explanatory, as “lappato” is the Italian word for semi polished or honed. This finish is a fairly new technology, and the majority of manufacturers are considered to be the masters of it.
Lappato tiles, or semi polished tiles, are usually a form of heavily textured indoor tiles that have been glazed, and in turn polished just on the surface of the texture in order to create a patchwork of polished (or gloss) and unpolished (or matt) surface area.
The final finish is achieved by polishing the tile’s surface with an abrasive wheel, but not long enough to attain the lustre of a typically polished tile. This creates a special surface that reflects light from the polished areas, whilst leaving sections of the surface matt. Basically, it’s an opportunity for buyers to get the best of both worlds when it comes to the look of a polished tile, and the function of a non-slip matt option.
While lappato tiles are commonly used in conjunction with natural finish tiles and placed in areas to highlight or accent a specific space, such as an entry or elevator waiting area, it’s also not unusual to see them as a staple in bathrooms and wet areas too. While the sheer number of options can be overwhelming for buyers, an example of technology at its best is the Enzo tile series.
The Enzo collection encompasses selected natural colour variations, with the combination of random streaks of traversing marble veins and a natural stone look, fusing character and depth. However, it’s not all about looks, as this range was purposefully manufactured using the latest polishing techniques and with the added benefit of the same tile available in the matt in/out finish technology. What this means for buyers is that they can access the benefits of a Lappato semi polished tile with the benefit of a series matching in/out matt feel grip finish tile, all with a P4 slip rating perfect for those outdoor areas or even around swimming pools.
Sourcing Help With Choosing Lappato Tiles
While your options for tile finishes are almost limitless, selecting the right type of product for your home certainly isn’t an easy feat. With each space, comes a different preference or priority: are you chasing style, functionality, or simply want to stay within the budget?
In operation for over 25 years, at Tile Wizards we pride ourselves on getting you more – for less. We pioneered the warehouse format, and our stores are purposefully designed to make your selection easier, and ultimately offer our customers quality, price and the right advice.
Even if you are just after some honest and friendly advice – please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us at Tile Wizards today for a free quote. We’re able to work with you in order to bring your dream flooring solution to life.
