What are Vitrified Tiles? Advantages and Disadvantages of Vitrified tiles

What are Vitrified Tiles

If you are planning for a new house or renovating the flooring, then you must have checked out the vitrified tiles. In this article, I will explain what are Vitrified tiles, the basic making process, vitrified tiles advantages , and disadvantages of vitrified tiles.

Tiles are an important component of the flooring of your homes and offices. It is formed using a vitrification process in which the tiles are passed through a kiln at high temperatures which results in low porosity and low water absorption. They are made using various clays and silica to form a vitreous body. 

Vitrified tiles are popular across many residential and commercial spaces. These tiles are the best alternative to marble and granite. It is used indoors as well as for outdoor flooring due to their aesthetic look and good appearance. 

There are many types of Ceramic tiles such as Floor tiles, wall tiles, bathroom tiles, Nano polished tiles, Glazed tiles, and Double charge tiles. depending upon the place and looks you can choose any type of tiles.  

Usage of Vitrified Tiles 

• Commercial Space
• Residential Space
• Bathroom Space
• Stairs Flooring
• Kitchen and outdoor area
• Elevation and Terrace Space 
• Living room 
• Garden or Rooftop 

Factors before selecting the tiles

• Durability 
• Budget
• Usability – Indoor or Outdoor
• Aesthetics
• Surface Finish
• Installation and Maintenance 

Basic Process of Making Vitrified Tiles

Vitrified tiles are manufactured using the mixing of various raw materials such as clays, quartz, silica, soda feldspar, potash feldspar, china clay, talc powder, sodium silicate, STPP, various colors, chemicals, and many more items.

It is manufactured with the help of hydraulic press in which the tiles powder is passed through the press and with the help of heavy pressing the tiles are formed using various size molds. There are no chemical changes in the vitrified tiles after manufacturing.

These tiles are stronger and durable as they are formed using the Vitrification process in which the tiles are passed through the kiln at a high temperature around 1200 C. It results in creating a vitreous surface which is hard and glossy. This process of manufacturing is known as the vitrification process.

After that firing process, they are left for cooling for 24 hours. It passes through the polishing and sizing machines where the final surface finish is formed and packed into a corrugated box. there are different thicknesses for different sizes, generally, the thickness is 8 to 12 Mm.

 

Types of Vitrified Tiles 

There are 4 types of vitrified tiles such as 

 

Soluble Salt Vitrified Tiles (Nano Polish tiles, Nano tiles)

Double Charge Vitrified Tiles (Multilayer tiles, Double Layer tiles)

Glazed Vitrified Tiles (GVT, PGVT, Digital printed tiles)

Full Body Vitrified Tiles (Outdoor tiles)

 

Soluble Salt Tiles 

 

 

These tiles are made using screen printing technology in which the soluble salt colors are used for making the design using semi-automatic printing machines. 

Most designs for this type of tiles are based on Ivory color. They are the least expensive vitrified tiles and can be seen everywhere from homes to various commercial spaces. 

These tiles are called nano polish vitrified tiles as they pass through the nano-coating machine which fills the small holes or pores and creates a better surface and appearance.  

The price for nano polished tiles are between Rs 18 to 20 per Square Feet for Ex-Factory rate (GST 18% percent Extra). The rates may vary depending upon the tiles thickness and quality of tiles. 

Major Sizes for Nano tiles – 600×600 Mm.

 

Double Charge Tiles 

 

 

It is also called multi charge tiles as it will be having two different layers in the body of the tile. The design in these tiles are formed using various feeders which are joint to the hydraulic press. 

The upper layer consists of color pigments and the lower layer consists of the base body. It is suitable for heavy traffic areas as it has a 3 to 4 mm upper layer and can withstand for a longer duration.

It is available in Glossy finish. The major sizes are 600×600 Mm and 800×800 Mm. The price starts from Rs 25 to 40 per Square feet for the Ex-Factory rate (GST 18% percent Extra). The rates may vary depending upon the tiles thickness and quality of tiles. 

For more details regarding DC tiles Visit – What are Double Charge Vitrified tiles

 

Glaze Vitrified Tiles

 

 

You may have heard the various types of tiles such as glazed vitrified tiles (GVT– Matt finish), Polished glazed vitrified tiles (PGVT– Glossy Finish) and digital vitrified tiles (DGVT). 

These are the tiles that have created a new approach to the latest technology ie, Digital Printing Machine. As these tile designs are highly customized and any type of photo, patterns or design can be manufactured using the Inkjet Printing machine. 

There are various surfaces and finishes available for glazed vitrified tiles such as Glossy, Matt, Carving, Metallic, Baby Satin, Sugar, and many more. The digital layer on the surface of the tile is less than 1 mm. 

Major Sizes for tiles – 600×600, 800×800, 600×1200, 1000×1000, 1200×2400, 800×1600 Mm.

 

Full Body Tiles

 

 

These types of tiles are manufactured with the color pigment in entire body thickness. The cost of a full-body is expensive as it has an even surface and uniform color throughout the body of the tile. 

It is suitable for high traffic and commercial zones. It is available in matt and glossy finish. The major sizes are 600×600 and 600×1200 Mm.

Some of the tiles company names such as Asain Tiles, Cera, Rak Ceramics, Nitco Tiles, Somany, Kohinoor, Johnson, Kajaria, Simpolo, Varmora, Sunheart, Icon tiles and many more. 

Vitrified Tiles Advantages

• Low Water absorption – As the tiles are non-porous it is suitable for wet areas. It has less than 0.5 % water absorption.
• Low porosity – As they are baked in high temperatures they are less porous tiles.
• Durability – They are extremely durable due to the strength and finish. 
• Resistance– they are stain-free, high resistance to scratches, and moisture resistance. It also has thermal shock resistance. 
• Strength – They have high breaking strength (100N) and modulus of rupture. 
• Quality – it has good quality and aesthetics.
• Availability– It has numerous colors, designs, and patterns available in vitrified tiles. 
• Easy maintenance and installation– easy to clean and maintain easy to install and less than 48 hours to set. Cleaning is easy as it can be done with the help of water and cleaning agents.
• Affordable – as many different types of tiles are available in vitrified tiles. It gives various choices regarding the prices of  tiles. It starts from Rs 18 to 200 per square feet depending upon the sizes and features. 

Vitrified Tiles Disadvantages

• Expensive– One of the major disadvantages is that they are more expensive as compared to the cost of ceramic tiles and porcelain tiles.
• Installation – Tiles laying requires skilled workers and proper guidance. Proper adhesive and spacers may be required depending upon the ceramic tiles. proper handling of the tiles should be taken otherwise the edges may crack and have chipping issues.
• Slippery – the vitrified tiles when wet are slippery so that proper care should be taken. 
• Grout – Grout is filled between two tiles for a better appearance, but as time passes the grout will become dirty and need to be resealed. The joints between the tiles should be neat and the same for all the areas.

 

Final Thought 

I Have explained the details regarding what are vitrified tiles with the pros and cons. It will be helpful for you to select the tiles for your home. The tiles selection may depend upon your choice and according to the budget. Also, you need to consider the extra cost of laying and installation. 

As the tiles are versatile, less maintenance and durable they are the best alternative to the granite and quartz flooring. These tiles are highly recommended by interior designers, builders, and consumers as they have many features which are better than ceramic tiles 

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