When choosing bathroom tiles it is important to make sure you consider the appearance of the tiles.
All ceramic tiles will be glazed, this is a technical part of the tile that protects the biscuit (ceramic) part of the tile from water. Once the tile is printed it is then put through the glazing process.
Gloss and Satin are the most common types of glaze used. Gloss is a more traditional finish, providing a shiny, reflective and fresh look to the tiles, with many white tiles, tiles that are glazed with a gloss finish are whiter than than a satin verison of the same tile.
Satin is used on more natural looking tiles, such a a stone effect ceramic tile. This helps to replicate the thenatural stone look that is then sealed with a suitable sealer, Cornwall and Coniston are two popular stone effect satin glazed ranges that we sell.
However! Many people like the polished stone look and this is where a gloss glaze works very well on a stone effect ceramic tile. Marmaros has been a great selling tile for some while providing that clean and fresh polished stone look.
As far as ongoing maintenance goes, there isnt really much difference as they are both glazed, so the tile is protected but some satin glazed tiles can be a little harder to get them back to a good as new look.
It really is a personal choice as to what you prefer and it is often the case that certain tile designs suit one or other finish as the designers have a finish in mind when designing the tile.