Unglazed Tile

Step into almost any historic building, a turn-of-the-century bathroom, an old hotel lobby, a hundred-year-old porch, and the floor under your feet is probably unglazed porcelain. It's been the workhorse of tile flooring for over a century, and rightly so. Color runs through the body of the tile, the surface has natural grip, and it ages beautifully without losing its character.

Our unglazed tile collection brings that same tradition into modern installations, with hexagons, penny rounds, 1" squares, and the Pinnacle border patterns that helped make this style famous.

16 products

What "Unglazed" Actually Means

Glazed tile has a glassy coating fired onto the surface; that's what gives it its sheen and its color. Unglazed porcelain tile skips the coating entirely. The clay body is colored all the way through, then fired at high temperatures until it's dense and water-resistant on its own. The result:

  • A natural matte finish, no glare or hot spots from lighting
  • Better slip resistance, especially when wet
  • Color that doesn't wear off as the surface ages
  • A look that reads instantly historic, even in new construction

It's the same technique used in the porcelain tile unglazed floors of Victorian and Edwardian homes, and it still holds up!

What's in the Collection

Our unglazed tiles are organized around a few core formats:

  • Hexagons: Lyric Unglazed Porcelain in 1" and 2" hex sizes
  • Penny rounds: Lyric Unglazed Porcelain 3/4" penny tiles, mesh-mounted
  • 1" squares: Lyric 1x1 Unglazed Porcelain in charcoal, ivory, and other classic shades
  • Pinnacle patterns: Unglazed Rosette, Unglazed Dots, Unglazed Diamond and Dot, and Unglazed Diamond & Cross
  • Greek Key borders: Greek Key, Greek Key Step, Greek Key Aqueduct, Codex, Toli, and Strada in 3/4" and 1" formats

If you want to see the full set of patterned options, browse our Pinnacle Patterns collection.

Where Unglazed Porcelain Floor Tile Works Best

Because the surface is naturally grippy and the color is fade-resistant, unglazed porcelain handles spaces glazed tile sometimes can't:

  • Bathroom and shower floors (especially primary baths and historic restorations)
  • Entryways, mudrooms, and front porches
  • Commercial lobbies, restaurants, and storefronts
  • Kitchen floors that see real traffic
  • Outdoor covered areas in freeze-resistant climates

For shower wall pairings or backsplashes, see our glazed hexagon tile collection.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do unglazed tiles need to be sealed?

Most unglazed porcelain tiles don't require a sealer because the body is already vitrified. Many installers still seal the grout to keep it cleaner over time.

Is unglazed tile harder to clean than glazed? 

A bit. The matte surface holds onto grime more than a glossy glaze, but a regular pH-neutral cleaner handles it without trouble.

Can I use unglazed porcelain tile on walls? 

Yes. It's rated for walls, floors, and wet areas. It's especially striking when the same unglazed tile carries from the floor up the shower wall.