Nano polishing is a treatment applied after a tile is polished. A liquid containing very fine particles, often silica-based, is spread and buffed into the surface to fill tiny pores that polishing leaves behind.
The aim is stain resistance and a deeper shine. It is a surface coating, not part of the tile body, so it wears away over time. How long it lasts depends on foot traffic, grit, cleaning products and how well it was applied, so there is no single honest number.
Why polished tiles need it
Polishing removes a thin layer from the face of a tile. On an unglazed body, such as a double-charge or full-body tile, it can expose closed pores that were sealed inside. Those open pores catch dirt, oil, coffee, ink and marker pens.
A nano treatment fills those openings, so liquids stay on the surface and wipe off. Polished glazed tiles (PGVT) can also be treated, although a well-made glaze is less porous to begin with. See PGVT vs GVT for how those are made.
How long it lasts
Suppliers sometimes quote a fixed number of years. Treat that claim with care unless it comes with a test method. The coating wears where people walk, and lasts longer in quiet corners. These factors shorten its life:
- Sand and grit carried in from outside, which act like abrasive paper under shoes.
- Strong acid or alkaline cleaners, which can attack the coating.
- Heavy rolling loads such as trolleys and pallet trucks.
- Poor application at the factory, where the coating was not buffed evenly.
Entrance mats, regular dry sweeping and neutral cleaners help it last. When the treatment wears, a flooring contractor can re-apply a nano or penetrating sealer on site.
How to check it on samples
You can test a sample yourself before you order. These simple checks show whether the coating is there and working:
- Draw a line with a permanent marker, wait a few minutes, then wipe with a dry cloth and a little solvent. A treated tile should come clean.
- Drop water, cooking oil and tea on the surface, leave them for an hour, then wipe. Look for dark rings.
- Compare a treated sample with an untreated one from the same design.
For a formal result, ask for a stain resistance test to ISO 10545-14 from an accredited lab. It grades how easily standard staining agents are removed. Our article on chemical and stain resistance explains the classes.
What to agree with the factory
- Whether nano treatment is included, and on which designs.
- That treated and untreated stock will not be mixed in one shipment.
- A sealed reference sample showing the finish you approved.
- Care instructions you can pass to your customers.
Next step
Nano polishing is useful, but it is a finishing step that varies between plants. We check treated samples and confirm the treatment on the line before loading. To plan your range, book a free sourcing review.