Cordierite based glass-ceramics were used to glaze floor tiles by microwave and conventional processing techniques. The surface roughness (R-a) values of the microwave and conventionally processed glazes were similar to 3.73 mu m and similar to 11.96 mu m, respectively. The Vickers hardness value for the conventionally processed glaze was similar to 1.63 GPa while it was similar to 5.04 GPa for the microwave processed glaze. Gradual transition of nanohardness and Young's modulus values was observed from the substrate to glaze for both conventional and microwave processed glazed tiles. Scratch and impact resistance of the microwave processed glass-ceramic glaze was superior to those of the conventionally processed one. (C) 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved