What are the differences in the effects of different glaze treatments on high-grade antique bricks?
Release Time : 2025-11-24
The glazing treatment of high-grade antique bricks is a core element determining their texture, gloss, and decorative effect. Different processes give the bricks distinctly different visual and tactile experiences, directly influencing the shaping of a space's style. From matte to glossy, from single-tone to complex textures, the diversity of glazing techniques provides high-grade antique bricks with rich expressiveness, allowing them to simulate the ruggedness of natural materials as well as the refinement of hand-polished finishes.
Matte glaze is the most vintage-inspired choice among high-grade antique bricks. Its surface, through the addition of matting agents such as zinc oxide and zirconium oxide, or the use of a calcium-based matte glaze formula, creates a delicate and soft diffused reflection effect. This treatment not only eliminates the glare of light but also simulates the signs of age in natural stone through subtle graininess, such as imitation limestone or rammed earth brick surfaces. The texture is rough yet warm, suitable for creating Zen-like or rustic spaces. The advantage of matte glaze lies in its stain resistance—its light-diffusing properties make stains less visible, while avoiding visual fatigue caused by reflections. It is often used for living room floors or study walls.
Semi-polished glazed tiles fall between matte and glossy finishes, creating layers of light and shadow on the surface through partial polishing. This treatment is commonly seen in tiles that mimic wood grain or fabric textures, such as tiles imitating oak growth rings. The polished areas highlight the three-dimensionality of the wood grain, while the unpolished areas retain the natural roughness of the wood, creating a "double deception of touch and sight." The sheen of semi-polished glazed tiles changes with the angle, exhibiting a warm luster under natural light and turning matte under artificial light. This dynamic effect makes it an ideal choice for creating a light luxury style or transitional spaces.
Fully polished glazed tiles are the highest gloss type among high-grade antique bricks. After high-temperature firing, the entire surface is polished to create a mirror-like reflective effect. Although its name includes the "antique" label, fully polished glazed tiles focus more on showcasing the exquisite feel of porcelain tiles—for example, tiles imitating marble textures, after polishing, clearly reveal the natural cracks and crystalline structure of the stone, with a gloss level close to that of a polished natural stone surface. This treatment method is suitable for modern minimalist spaces, especially for small accents, such as bathroom walls or kitchen island countertops. It enhances the brightness of the space while avoiding a cold feel through the antique texture.
Reactive glazing is the most artistic treatment for high-grade antique bricks. By layering glazes of different densities and softening temperatures, a naturally flowing texture is created during firing. For example, a layer of transparent glaze is applied first, followed by a layer of reactive glaze containing metal oxides. At high temperatures, the two glazes interpenetrate, creating a mottled effect similar to volcanic rock or meteorite. This treatment method is highly random, with each brick having a unique texture. It is suitable for spaces that seek personalization, such as art studios or private collections. Its unique "imperfect beauty" is a charm that is difficult to replicate artificially.
Grinding glaze treatment uses mechanical brushing to give the brick surface an "aged" effect. After glazing, a brush with a flexible yet hard head is used to remove some of the glaze, exposing the original color of the brick body in raised areas, creating wear marks similar to those from long-term use. This treatment method is commonly seen in antique-style floor tiles, such as those mimicking the surface of European antique building tiles. After glazing, not only do they exhibit varying shades, but the irregular edge wear simulates natural wear, instantly giving new tiles a "historical feel."
Sprinkling dry granules is a classic technique in high-grade antique bricks for simulating natural materials. By spraying dry sand, frit, or sintered glaze granules onto the glaze surface, a texture similar to stone particles or metal fragments is created. For example, antique bronze tiles have copper powder frit sprinkled into the glaze surface, resulting in the green rust of copper oxide after firing; imitation sandstone tiles use a mixture of dry sand of different particle sizes to create a rough texture. The key to this treatment method lies in the integration of the dry granules and the glaze—maintaining the independence of the granules while preventing them from falling off, requiring extremely high precision in the process.
The glaze treatments of high-grade antique bricks, through the combination of light, texture, and touch, construct a diverse aesthetic system ranging from natural ruggedness to artificial refinement. The understated elegance of matte glaze, the layered texture of semi-polished glaze, the exquisite refinement of fully polished glaze, the art of reflective glaze, the retro feel of polished glaze, and the naturalness of sprinkled dry granule decoration—each treatment corresponds to specific spatial needs and emotional expression, providing endless possibilities for design.