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If you are looking for a new office or dream house, then you may have looked for many different types of tiles. I will explain the differences between double charge tiles vs glazed vitrified tiles GVT (Matt finish).
Double Charge Tiles Vs Glazed Vitrified Tiles
There is a confusion regarding the difference between double charge tiles and Glazed tiles. The main difference between these two tiles is the surface preparation and designs on the tiles.
Are you facing difficulties in selecting tiles for your home, then check this article up to last for a detailed comparison between Double charge tiles vs glazed vitrified tiles. In this article, I will try to clear all the major differences between those tiles.
Double charged and glazed tiles are a part of Vitrified tiles. Both of these tiles are classified under vitrified tiles.
Vitrified Tiles are popular due to the features and aesthetics in Tile Market. They are strong, durable, and resistant to stains and scratches.
Many physical properties are the same for both types of vitrified tiles like water absorption, low porosity and, the manufacturing process is 70 percent the same for both tiles.
There are many types of tiles such as Wall tiles, Floor Tiles, Vitrified Tiles, Polished Glazed Vitrified Tiles, Double charged tiles, Nano Polished Tiles, large Porcelain slabs, Sanitary wares, and parking Tiles.
Vitrified Tiles
Vitrified tiles are made from the vitrification process. It has low porosity and low water absorption. Vitrified Tiles cost higher than ceramic tiles.
Vitrified Tiles are used in homes, offices, restaurants, hotels, shopping malls, hospitals, and many more places.
These tiles are manufactured using the mixture of clays, quartz, silica, soda, potash feldspar, china clay, talc powder, sodium silicate, STPP, various colors, chemicals. Tiles are made using a hydraulic press according to the appropriate sizes set in the molds.
India ranks 2nd in producing ceramic and vitrified tiles and mainly Morbi, a town in Gujarat – India is a hub of ceramic tiles.
Known about – Morbi Ceramic City
Types of Vitrified Tiles
The vitrified tiles are classified into four categories
- Nano Polished Vitrified tiles (Soluble Salt tiles)
- Double Charge Vitrified Tiles (Multilayer tiles, Double Layer tiles)
- Glazed Vitrified Tiles (GVT, PGVT, Digital printed tiles)
- Full Body Vitrified Tiles (Outdoor tiles)
Glazed Vitrified Tiles (GVT) Matt
GVT is made using digital machines. A layer of glaze is coated over the surface of tiles. There are mainly categorized into two types.
- GVT – Glazed vitrified tiles (Matt Finish)
- PGVT – Polished glazed vitrified tiles (Glossy Finish)
Various surfaces are available in these tiles such as Glossy, Matt, Carving, Metallic, Baby Satin, Sugar, and many more.
Sizes available in GVT – 600×600, 800×800, 600×1200, 1000×1000, 1200×2400, 800×1600 Mm.
These tiles are manufactured using digital technology. They are also having low water absorption and low porosity. The layer of digital printing is less than 1 mm.
As there is a layer of glaze coated, it is not suitable for heavy traffic as the layer may fade away on the passing of time.
To know more about Visit – Glazed Vitrified Tiles
Note – Glazed Vitrified Tiles are also known as Porcelain vitrified tiles outside India.
Double Charge Vitrified Tiles
DC tiles are manufactured by pressing two layers of powder. It is also called as multi charge tiles and double loading tiles.
The easiest way to notice a double charge is to look from the sideway, there will be a difference of two layers. The upper layer consists of color pigments and the lower layer of the base body.
Various types of feeders are attached to the backside of the press. Designs are imprinted on the surface of the tiles using these feeders. You may have heard of the Amazon and Tropicana series, these are classified based on the feeders.
The nano-coating is applied on the surface of the double charge tiles which help the surface from scratch and for cleaning the tiles easily.
The most popular double charge size is 600 x 600 Mm (2×2 Ft). Other sizes are 800×800 and 600×1200 Mm.
To know more Details Visit – Double charge basic manufacturing process
11 Differences -Double Charge Vitrified Tiles Vs Glazed Vitrified Tiles- GVT (Matt Finish).
In this article, I will explain the difference between the double charge tiles and only matt vitrified tiles (GVT). I will explain the difference in detail with images.
1 – Manufacturing Process
Double Charge – These tiles are made using various feeders that are attached to the hydraulic press. It consists of two layers in which the tiles are formed in a press mold. The thickness of the upper layer is between 3 to 4 mm.
GVT – These tiles are made using digital printers. The Glazed coating is applied on the surface of the tiles. The digital layer is less than 1 mm. It has regular Feeders attached to the press as shown in the below image.
2 – Printing
Double Charge – There is a major confusion in DC tiles is that is there any design printed on the surface or not. Designs on these tiles are made using color pigments on feeders attached to the press. Various design molds are there for different designs set according to color quantity.
In short, designs are imprinted on the surface of the DC tiles using feeders. The designs are near about 2 to 4 mm on the upper layer of tiles.
GVT – the designs are printed on the surface of tiles using High Volume Inkjet Digital printers. Any type of design, texture, and surfaces can be customized in these tiles. The layer of printing is less than 1mm.
Images are created using computer programs like Adobe Photoshop and then printed using digital machines.
3 – Calibration and Polishing Machines
Double Charge – After passing the tiles from the kiln, it is left 12 to 48 hours for cooling. For Glossy finish double charge tiles are first passed through a calibration machine where the diamond rollers are used for minor scratch the surface of the tiles. After that, the polishing machine and sizing machine are used for the perfect finish of the tiles.
GVT – In these Matt Finish Tiles, only Sizing machines are used. No polishing machines or Nano Machines are used in matt vitrified tiles.
The calibration machine is also the main difference in double charge tiles over digital tiles.
4 -Design
Double Charge – as there are a fixed number of designs manufactured using a single feeder, there is a limitation of design in these tiles. No customization can be there as it is having fixed patterns in molds.
GVT– there can be a wide range of designs and patterns. Different numbers of designs are printed on the tiles. There may be the same design or random design printed on the tiles. As it is made using digital machines, it can be easily customized according to your requirements.
5 -Life
Double Charge – as the tiles upper layer thickness is around 3 to 4 mm, it lasts longer than GVT. If anyhow there is a minor cut on the surface of Double charge tiles the same surface will be there till 2 to 4 mm of tiles.
GVT – The thing to be considered in GVT is the print layer is less than 1 mm so that it is not suitable for high traffic areas. As the surface layer has glaze coatings, it can fade away over a duration of time.
6 -Usage
Double Charge– it is used for medium to high traffic areas such as airports, malls, offices, hotels, hospitals, and homes.
GVT – it is used in low to medium traffic areas such as homes and offices.
7 – Price
GVT Rates
600×600 Mm – Rs 23 to 28 per Square Feet (Ex-Factory Rates)
600×1200 Mm – Rs 28 to 34 per Square Feet (Ex-Factory Rates)
800×800 Mm – Rs 32 to 38 per Square Feet (Ex-Factory Rates)
Double Charge Rates
The rates for DC tiles start from Rs 25 to 35 per square feet 600×600 mm (ex-factory rates).
The rates are different for special colors and design patterns. It can be classified based on patterns like Amazon and Tropicana series or based on colors like light color and dark color.
Light Colour – Cream, Beige, Pink.
Dark Colour – Red, Black, Brown, Green.
Double charge tiles are more expensive than GVT as the upper layer consists of color pigments.
Rates depend on your location, thickness, and quality. There are different rates according to the sizes and finish of the tiles.
The above rates are ex factories. Also after that, there are other charges such as Loading Charges, Insurance Charges, Transportation Charges, Unloading Charges to reach the shop, and your homes.
8 – Sizes available in Tiles
Sizes in GVT
600×600, 600×1200, 800×800, 800×1200,1200×1600 Mm
Sizes in Double charge tiles
600×600, 600×1200, 800×800 mm
9 – Glaze coatings
Double Charge – There are no glaze coatings in double charge tiles. After passing from the hydraulic press it passes directly to the kiln for firing the tiles through the dryer.
GVT – Glaze layer is coated in digital tiles. Various glaze coatings layers like Engobe, TR, and Opaque are applied over the surface of the tiles before passing through the kilns.
The layer coatings are applied depending upon the density, viscosity, and weight for different tiles’ surface finish.
10 – Body Comparison
Double Charge– There are two layers in DC tiles, upper and lower layer. Both are made using different spray driers as it will be easy to clean and maintain.
Upper layer – Color Pigments around 3 to 4 mm. The color body pigments are costly than the lower body
Lower Layer– The base body comprises raw materials like feldspar, quartz, china clay.
GVT – it has only single layer tiles which consist of the same materials as vitrified tiles. The only difference is that it has a lower cost of the body as the top surface is covered with glaze coatings. In these tiles the base raw materials do not have any look effects as the surface layer is covered by glaze.
11 – Durability
As the Double Charge upper layer is thicker, it is more durable than GVT. The DC Tiles are also stronger than GV Tiles as DC tiles have higher MOR than GVT.
Conclusion
I have explained the differences between Double charge tiles vs Glazed vitrified tiles with various factors. The tiles selection depends upon your choice, styles, and, according to the budget. Both tiles have their advantages and disadvantages.
Vitrified tiles are popular for Commercial areas and Residential homes as it is resistant to stain, wear and scratches.
Double charge tiles are more popular as they provide a premium marble look and simple yet luxurious tiles.
If you are looking to match the tiles according to the interior furniture designs and want to customize the surface and designs of the tile, then glazed vitrified tiles may be the best choice.
I hope you like this article. If you have any doubt, please comment in the below box for any suggestions.
Very nicely explained.