Opaque glazes — type of coloured glaze used in tile production that completely cover the tile's surface, preventing the underlying body from showing through. These glazes are created by incorporating coloured oxides and opacifiers into transparent glazes.

The addition of coloured oxides, such as iron oxide for red tones or cobalt oxide for blue tones, along with opacifiers like tin oxide or zirconium silicate, transforms the transparent glaze into an opaque one. These ingredients act to block the transmission of light, resulting in a solid and non-translucent appearance.

Opaque glazes offer a range of vibrant and solid colours that can be applied to tiles, creating a visually striking and consistent surface. By adjusting the types and amounts of oxides and opacifiers, a wide variety of opaque glaze colours can be achieved, from bold and intense hues to softer and more muted tones.

The use of opaque glazes allows tile artisans and manufacturers to create designs and patterns that rely solely on the glaze colour for visual impact. The opaque nature of these glazes provides a smooth and uniform appearance across the tile surface, enhancing the overall aesthetic appeal.