I don't think those are you only too choices. Porcelain can have a satin finish. Anything glossy is going to show water and soap residue more easily. The darker the tile, the more apparent the issues.

I did matte white in my guest shower and I don't know if it was necessary but I had my contractor add a sealant to the tiles anyway. I use a BONA product and squeegee it every few weeks. I can notice some wear over the last 3 years. The problem is more so with the grout I would argue - I used a black grout and its greying.

I used a gloss white in my guest shower without any added sealant, same Bona product. It does show water spots, but the shine looks great. I don't regret either choice.

Good quality porcelain tile should not need to be sealed at all. I have never sealed any porcelain tile I have used.

It depends on the individual design. What might look good in one, doesn’t work in another. Polished is generally easier to squeegee, but if you miss a drop, you may get water spots. It depends a lot on your water chemistry. You should get the water report from your municipality .

Porcelain per se does not usually require sealing; when the manufacturer states so it's because of the finish on the tile and sealing the tiles provide a barrier to the grout which could be an issue when getting the grout off.

My marble-look porcelain tiles in my master bath, are matte finish and I quite like it that way. The only thing "shiny" I want in my bathroom is the polished nickel taps and the sconces and silver on the vanity.

I prefer shiny tiles - I find them easier to clean. I always think matte tiles look dirty.

@Design Girl how often do you see a need to clean your shiny tiles?

@HU-527663426 one way to mitigate the glare is to put darker bathroom rug where the major glare is. You can also put a light diffuser on the skylight.

My tiles are white and I clean the bathroom once a week. Even then, I don't notice any dirt.

I'm probably killing the environment, but I just spray with after-shower daily shower cleaner (but I don't do it nearly every day). A couple of spritzes and the shower stays spotless.

Any thoughts on installing glossy porcelain tile on shower walls with matching matte 2x2's on shower pan floor or should I keep it all glossy?

@Richard Conde: While this is an old thread, I’ll bite.

It’s really your choice.

1. You should be aware that matte v. polished always have a slight color difference, even though they’re the same tile pattern. You may or may not like that.
2. Some people are very concerned about slipping on polished tile.

I recently chose a subtle polished marble-look porcelain on walls (partially for ease of cleaning- as others have mentioned) and same tile in matte finish for bathroom floor. I initially hated the difference in tone, even though I love the tile; however, it’s grown on me and I now appreciate it. But I’m also glad I followed my gut and put polished on the curb despite some people expressing concern over possible slippage.

Good luck.

Thanks for the detailed response. You are correct that there is a color difference between the gloss and matte even though pattern/product is the same. I noticed that also with the tile I had picked out. The sales rep. was kept referring to non-slippage, but many others have stated that you can go with polish and apply a non-slippage coat to the tile. I really do like the polished curb you did.

I am looking to do something similar in using a polished large tiled very light veining porcelain tile on wall and sane design large tile matte on floor. The actual shower floor will be a stone. My question is I will have a very low lip divider from shower to bathroom floor and the matte finish on the stone is similar to the matte finish on the bathroom floor and more importantly, the two look beautiful side by side so I think I want my lip to be matte not glossy. Any help is appreciated. Can I do the lip inayte to match the floor not the walls? Also I was originally thinking to do all matching matte walls and floor for a natural look but bathroom designer suggested glossy for the walls. Not sure I am sold and have to pick soon. Help!

I might be late on this one. I did glossy tile shower walls and matter on the shower pan. Personally, it works. However, I would have just stuck with all glossy or matte since there is a slight difference in color even though its the same tile.

i love my glossy shower walls - I squeegee them after every shower though (and i have very soft water - but spots will show up if you don't do this)

I am considering using 96”x48” porcelain panels with a faux marble design on my three shower walls. Researched I do not need to demo. I can go right over tiles. Concerned the panels may look fake and cheap? Has anyone done this?