Although sintered stone comes in a wide variety of designs and sizes, these are only part of the visual impact. We also need to choose the right surface based on our actual needs, so as to balance visual effect and user experience.
Sintered stone surfaces can be broadly divided into two categories: glossy and matte.
**Glossy surfaces** are polished, then coated with a transparent resin, and finally finished with an anti-stain wax. In theory, the glaze hardness of sintered stone can reach Mohs hardness level 6, which is an excellent result compared with ordinary ceramic tiles. However, compared with sand, which is ubiquitous in daily life and has a Mohs hardness above 7, the glaze of sintered stone is still easily scratched, affecting its gloss and even leaving fine scratches.
**Matte surfaces** are usually divided into three types: soft matte, matte, and rough. Technically, the difference lies in the surface friction coefficient. From the perspective of safety and slip resistance, users should choose products with different friction coefficients according to the application. For example, outdoor floors require sintered stone with a sufficiently rough glaze, while indoor floors can use soft matte or matte products as needed.
It is worth noting, however, that soft matte sintered stone comes in two types: one that is soft matte right after firing, and another that requires light polishing after firing. The latter cannot be coated with anti-stain resin, so it should preferably not be used for floors, to prevent stains from penetrating into the glaze and becoming difficult to clean.
It is also worth noting that although a rougher surface offers better slip resistance, it is also more likely to accumulate dirt, making cleaning more difficult.
In summary, sintered stone used for walls can be freely chosen in glossy, soft matte, or matte finishes according to preference. For floors, however, the choice requires careful consideration based on actual use, balancing decorative needs with slip resistance and ease of cleaning.
