Vitrified tiles are one of the most popular options of flooring because of the many amazing qualities that they have. These tiles can be used for both interior and exterior flooring in your home. They are available in a plethora of designs and textures to suit all your flooring needs.
Vitrified tiles are made by the vitrification process through which a mixture of clay, silica, quartz, etc are converted into tiles with amazing finish and texture. These tiles are manufactured at a very high temperature, as such, they are capable of bearing extreme temperature variations.
If you are constructing a new home or renovating an existing home or office then you should definitely consider these tiles for flooring. These tiles are available in many different options of quality, colors, textures, price, and types. As such there are many vitrified tiles options to cater to different market segments.
Advantages Of Vitrified Tiles
The fact that vitrified tiles are so popular and in-demand clearly states that it has a lot of advantages over other options of flooring. Let’s have a look at some of the main advantages of vitrified tiles.
Durability
Most vitrified tiles options are very durable and long-lasting. Good quality vitrified tiles can easily last for as long as 30 years, and even more, if they are maintained properly.
Scratch Resistant
These tiles are quite resistant to scratches which means that they maintain their shine and look for long. So they help you to maintain beautiful floors for a long period of time.
Non-Porous
These tiles are non-porous in nature which means that they do not absorb water easily. As such, they can be used in wet areas and places with high moisture like toilets and bathrooms.
Easy To Clean
The new vitrified tiles come with a very smooth and shiny surface. This makes it very easy for you to clean the floors. Also, it takes very little time to broom and mop these floors.
Non-Fading
Modern vitrified tiles are manufactured with exciting technology which helps them to keep their amazing color and shine for very long. As such, they do not fade easily.
Stain Resistant
These tiles have a higher resistance to stains and marks because they are nonporous in nature. As such, the look of these tiles does not spoil with everyday spills.
Affordable
Most types of these tiles are very affordable and hence they can be used by most families even if they are on a budget for their flooring needs. Although some advanced options can cost you a little more.
Less Maintenance
These tiles do not require a lot of maintenance once they have been installed properly. Regular brooming and mopping are sufficient enough to keep these floors in proper condition.
Disadvantages Of Vitrified Tiles
Although these tiles have many advantages, like any other option for flooring they have some disadvantages too. Let’s have a look at some of the main disadvantages of these tiles for flooring.
Unique Patterns
Manufacturers make very unique designs and patterns of these tiles. As such, in case you require the same design or pattern again, you may not be able to find it anywhere.
Non-Eco Friendly
The process of manufacturing these tiles involves a lot of carbon dioxide production and huge energy expense. As such, these tiles are non-eco-friendly in nature.
Skilled Labor
You need to have skilled labor to properly install these tiles. It requires some skill to properly join these tiles and make a seamless floor especially in large areas like the living room.
Less Grip
One of the biggest advantages of these tiles is that they can get quite slippery especially when they are wet. Modern tiles come with a very shiny and smooth surface and this makes them slippery.
Types Of Vitrified Tiles
There are many types of vitrified tiles available in the market and it is quite important for you to be aware of these types if you want to use these tiles in your home. Let’s understand the details of various types of vitrified tiles available in the market so that you can choose the best suitable option for yourself.
Full Body Vitrified Tiles
Same materials are used for making the full body of these type of tiles, as such, they have the same consistency throughout the whole thickness of the tiles. They also have an uniform color running through their entire thickness.
The best part is that the design and color of full-body vitrified tiles will never fade throughout its life. They are expensive than the other options as the same materials are used for making the whole tile.
These tiles are very durable and scratch-resistant. This makes them most suitable for high traffic areas such as shopping complexes, airports, and other such public places. These tiles are also easy to clean and require very little maintenance.
Double Charge Vitrified Tiles
While manufacturing these tiles a press machine prints a 3 to 4 mm thick layer of a colored pattern on the upper portion of the tile. The rest of the body is made with a mixture of clay, silica, quartz, and other such materials.
These tiles are also very durable and scratch and stain-resistant. The price of double-charged tiles is comparatively less than full body vitrified tiles. They can retain their shine for a long period of time.
These tiles are good for moderate traffic areas like restaurants, cafes, corporate offices, commercial projects, etc, as they do not require strict maintenance. They are available in many different options of colors and textures.
Glazed Vitrified Tiles
These tiles also known as Digital Glazed Vitrified tiles as they are manufactured with the help of digital technology. The printing on the tile is usually less than 1 mm and it is done by a high-volume inkjet printer.
These tiles offer a wide variety of designs, artwork, and surface textures. With new technology, the glazed surface can be printed in any type of design, surface, finish, or texture. As such, they can enhance the aesthetics of the floor.
Although these tiles are less scratch resistant and durable as compared to full body and double charge vitrified tiles. This makes them only suitable for low or medium-traffic areas like homes.
Polished Glaze Vitrified Tiles
These tiles are also known as PGVT tiles, they are the same as glazed vitrified tiles. But they have a polished coat on the top of it to make it more shiny and smooth than glazed tiles.
Because of the extra work these tiles are a bit costlier than the glazed vitrified tiles. These tiles are also ideal for use in low-traffic areas like homes.
Nano Polished Vitrified Tiles
These tiles are polished with the help of chemical-based nanotechnology. This technology uses the application of a layer of liquid silica on the tiles to fill the micropores on the tile surface.
This process makes the surface of tiles smoother and shinier. These tiles have excellent water and dust repellent qualities and antibacterial properties. These tiles are also easy to clean and maintain.
Soluble Salt Vitrified Tiles
These tiles are printed with screen printing technology and then they are polished to provide a smooth and shiny surface. During the manufacturing soluble salts are used to penetrate the surface of the tile and give it color, design, and pattern.
Fewer design options are available because of the technical limitations in the manufacturing of these tiles. These tiles are not used on a very wide scale in the market. These tiles are the cheapest options of vitrified tiles available in the market.
