When it comes to the different styles of tiles out there, you have plenty of options to choose, from authentic and traditional limestone tiling to marble-effect porcelain tiles. And, of course, after picking your material, you can then select what finish you want.
When it comes to tile finishes from Stone Superstore, you have a choice between a natural chipped edge style or the classic tumbled look. But what exactly is the difference between these two tile edges, and which is better for your home aesthetic?
To help you pick the right tiling option, here is what you need to know about the difference between chipped and tumbled edges.
What’s the difference between chipped and tumbled edge tiles?
For chipped and tumbled-edged tiles, the key difference between the two styles lies in how their respective edges and surfaces are shaped and textured during the manufacturing process.
Chipped edge tiles
A chipped edge, also known as a chiselled edge, is a term most commonly associated with the finish of natural stone tiles and refers to tiles that have had their edges purposefully shaved to produce uneven patterns. This in turn gives the tile an aged and worn appearance, making them ideal for those seeking an older aesthetic.
The chipped edge effect itself is created by each tile being manually fed into a machine that chips the top edge of the tile. It does this one edge at a time, without affecting the structural integrity of the surface, and is a rather precise process to get right.
Our Umbrian Grey Sandstone tiles feature a brushed finish and antiqued edges
Tumbled edge tiles
A tumbled edge, on the other hand, refers to tiles that have been smoothed entirely, providing an almost curved edge, in a way that still leaves them looking weather-beaten despite their buffed appearance.
A tumble edge effect is entirely machine-made. The honed tiles are placed on a rack which is then rotated. Smaller stones and pebbles are then put into the machine as the rack spins, bashing against the tiles and creating a tumbled finish on both the edge and surface.
Our Milan Limestone tiles feature beautifully soft tumbled edges
What are the advantages and disadvantages of chipped tiles?
Although tumbled edge tiles come with their own distinct set of standout features, there are a few areas in which chipped tiles might be more appropriate for your home aesthetic.
As we’ve already mentioned, if you prefer natural stone tiles to porcelain, then both chipped or tumbled tiles are an excellent choice thanks to the manufacturing process being designed for use with stone objects. They’re also more authentic looking for aged stone than other stone-effect tiles, making them the go-to choice for older brick properties.
Chipped tiles are not necessarily styled to work with more contemporary aesthetics, and may very well look out of place. You also need to be sure you buy good quality chipped tiles, to avoid using products that could have been damaged during the manufacturing process.
How do you clean chipped tiles?
A common misconception of chiselled-edged tiles is that they will be difficult to clean and maintain. In reality, once sealed, natural stone tiles are as easy to maintain as porcelain tiles – although, as natural stone tiles are porous, cleaning can be made far easier by ensuring they are properly sealed after installation.
And with this in mind, it’s also important that you remember to reseal your stone tiles every five years or less, depending on how busy the area is, to maintain protection against dampness and stains. This can be done by adding new sealant where it’s needed or rejuvenating them entirely by stripping and reapplying new sealant on all your tiles.
As for how to clean your flooring directly, why not take a look at our guide to cleaning natural stone tiles or how to clean porcelain tiling for the best way to approach this?
You should now know the difference between chipped and tumbled tiles, and which might be best for your home. Of course, if you do have any more questions on this type of tile, then please get in touch with the Stone Superstore team. Don’t forget that you can browse the rest of our tile choosing advice guides as well, for more helpful articles like this one.