04 Sep, 2024
833Views Vitrified tiles are the talk of the town, they are what is happening in the tiles industry. The years of evolution and the technological advancements and innovations have made way for a superior quality ceramic tile and that is Vitrified Tiles.
vitrified tiles have become one of the most popular tiling options. These tiles have improved qualities, such as being thick, dense, strong, and stain-resistant. These tiles are made using a variety of manufacturing processes to produce various vitrified tiles types and in different qualities. Their detailed and intensive processing makes them durable to withstand wear and tear for a long time. These days they are used instead of marble or granite for flooring as an excellent alternative. Because of their strong water and frost resistance, they are often installed in outdoor areas. Vitrified tiles are becoming increasingly popular in recent years for many such qualities.
Vitrified tiles have gained immense popularity in recent years, becoming a go-to choice for flooring and wall cladding in residential and commercial spaces. Their durability, aesthetic appeal, and low maintenance make them a preferred alternative to natural stone. However, with various types of vitrified tiles available in the market, choosing the best one for your needs can be overwhelming. This analysis delves into the different types of vitrified tiles, their features, advantages, and disadvantages, helping you decide which one suits your requirements best.
What Are Vitrified Tiles?
Before diving into the different types, it’s essential to understand what vitrified tiles are. Vitrified tiles are a type of ceramic tile with very low porosity, making them water-resistant and highly durable. These tiles are made by a process called vitrification, where a mixture of clay and silica is heated to high temperatures, resulting in a glass-like finish. This process also gives the tiles their strength and resistance to stains and scratches, making them an excellent choice for high-traffic areas.
Various Types Of Vitrified Tiles
1. Glazed Vitrified Tiles
2. Full Body Vitrified Tiles
3. Polished Glazed Vitrified Tiles (PGVT)
4. Double Charged Vitrified Tiles
Vitrified tiles can be categorized into four main types: Double Charged Vitrified Tiles, Full Body Vitrified Tiles, Soluble Salt Vitrified Tiles, and Glazed Vitrified Tiles (GVT). Each type has its unique characteristics and is suited for different applications.
1. Glazed Vitrified Tiles:
Glazed vitrified tiles, or GVTs or Digital glazed vitrified tiles, have a glazed surface and are produced using digital technology, allowing for a variety of patterns and appearances on the tile, such as designs that resemble wood, bamboo, marble, and other natural materials. They are further categorised in 2 types:
1.1 Soluble Salt Vitrified Tiles
Soluble salt vitrified tiles are the most affordable vitrified tiles on the market. During the production cycle, soluble salts are utilized to dissolve the tile's surface and impart pigment, style, and patterns.Soluble salt vitrified tiles are manufactured using liquid color screen printing technology. The tiles are initially white, and the desired patterns and colors are created by permeating soluble salts into the tiles.
Features:
-> Design: These tiles are available in a wide range of designs and patterns, thanks to the printing technology.
-> Cost: Soluble salt tiles are generally less expensive than other vitrified tiles, making them a popular choice for budget-conscious projects.
Advantages:
-> Cost-effective and widely available.
-> Available in a variety of designs and patterns.
-> Lightweight and easy to install.
Disadvantages:
-> Less durable than double charged and full body vitrified tiles.
-> The design layer is prone to wear over time, especially in high-traffic areas.
Best Suited For:
-> Residential areas with moderate foot traffic.
-> Interior spaces where design variety is more important than durability.
1.2 Nano Polished Soluble Salt Tiles
Chemical nanotechnology is used to create these tiles. A coating of liquid silica is added to the soluble salt vitrified tiles to create nano polished soluble salt tiles. This technique fills the tile's nano or micro pores, making the tiles seem shinier and feel smoother than simple soluble salt vitrified tiles. These tiles are abrasion resistant and require little to no maintenance.
2. Full Body Vitrified Tiles
Full body vitrified tiles are made with the color and pattern running uniformly through the entire thickness of the tile. This makes any wear and tear or chipping less noticeable.The color of the whole body vitrified tile is uniformly distributed over its entire thickness.
The color of the tile due to this feature never fades away with time. Full body vitrified tiles are recommended for areas with heavy traffic because they resist rough usage and scratches and stains. In order to have a uniform and homogenous color, a mixture of pigments is added at an early stage in the process.
Features:
-> Uniformity: These tiles have consistent color throughout, making them highly resistant to visible wear and scratches.
-> Strength: The uniform structure makes them one of the most durable types of vitrified tiles.
-> Aesthetic Appeal: They are available in a variety of finishes, including matte, polished, and rustic.
Advantages:
-> Highly durable and resistant to wear and tear.
-> Ideal for areas with heavy usage and where long-lasting performance is required.
-> Chipping or damage is less noticeable due to uniform color.
Disadvantages:
-> Higher cost compared to other vitrified tiles.
-> Limited color and design options compared to glazed vitrified tiles.
Best Suited For:
-> High-traffic areas such as airports, shopping malls, and commercial complexes.
-> Industrial spaces requiring heavy-duty flooring.
3. Polished Glazed Vitrified Tiles (PGVT)
Polished Glazed vitrified tiles, commonly known as PGVT, are vitrified tiles with a glaze coating on the surface. The glaze allows for a wide range of designs, textures, and finishes, including wood, stone, and metallic looks.The PGVT Vitrified Tiles are one of the popular types of vitrified tiles, which customers use purely because of aesthetics and for their beauty. These are similar in manufacturing like Glazed Vitrified Tiles.
In PGVT tiles, an extra layer of polish is placed at the top to improve the shine. Compared to GVT tiles, PGVT tiles have a lower water absorption capacity. Though compared to GVT, it has limited application, it is not a suitable tile for heavy traffic areas.
Features:
-> Aesthetic Flexibility: The glaze allows for intricate designs, making GVT tiles suitable for spaces that require a high degree of customization and aesthetic appeal.
-> Variety: GVT tiles come in various finishes such as matte, glossy, rustic, and anti-skid, catering to different design preferences.
-> Water Resistance: These tiles are highly water-resistant, making them suitable for wet areas like bathrooms and kitchens.
Advantages:
-> Wide variety of designs and finishes.
-> Resistant to water and stains.
-> Can replicate the look of natural materials like wood and marble.
Disadvantages:
-> The glaze can wear off over time, especially in high-traffic areas.
-> More expensive than soluble salt vitrified tiles.
Best Suited For:
-> Bathrooms, kitchens, and other wet areas.
-> Spaces where design and aesthetic appeal are priorities, such as living rooms and feature walls.
4. Double Charged Vitrified Tiles
Double charge vitrified tiles are a product from a combination of clay, silica, quartz, and feldspar. Charged twice Vitrified tiles are 3-4 mm thicker than normal tiles because they are manufactured by combining two layers of tiles. The result is constructing the tiles with a strong tile surface.
Owing to the fact that double charged vitrified floor tiles are heavy traffic resistant and require nearly zero maintenance, they are, hands down, the prime choice for flooring in all commercial and residential buildings. The process of vitrification further enhances strength and sheen on the surface of the tiles, hence giving a polished outlook to the area wherever they are installed.
Double charged vitrified tiles are produced by feeding two layers of colors into the press. This process ensures that the upper layer of the tile, where the pattern is created, is thicker than that of a regular tile.
Features:
-> Durability: The thick upper layer makes these tiles more durable and wear-resistant, making them ideal for high-traffic areas like shopping malls, airports, and hospitals.
-> Design: These tiles offer a variety of designs and patterns, primarily in monochromatic or dual-tone colors.
-> Cost: They are moderately priced, making them a cost-effective option for both residential and commercial spaces.
Advantages:
-> Long-lasting due to the thick design layer.
-> Resistant to scratches and heavy foot traffic.
-> Less prone to chipping.
Disadvantages:
-> Limited in design variations compared to other vitrified tiles.
-> Heavier, which may increase transportation and installation costs.
Best Suited For:
-> Commercial spaces with high foot traffic.
-> Residential areas like living rooms and hallways.
Why Vitrified Tiles?
As such, the strength of the vitrified tiles far exceeds that of marble, granite, or even ceramic tiles. Because of their size and thickness uniformity, vitrified tiles are also perceived as being superior to other counterparts. These tiles are very easy to clean since their surface is polished.
The brand at Antique Porcelano adheres to a tight and elaborate process for this brand. Their method of vitrification reduces the rate of water absorption into these tiles; hence, these tiles become non-porous. This is also one of the reasons for the stain resistance of these ceramic tiles. When compared to the granite, marble or other similar tiles the vitrified flooring tiles are half the thickness hence easier to handle. The innate property of these tiles also repels germs and fungal developments. When exposed to sunshine, the colour of these tiles does not change or fade.
Conclusion
Choosing the best vitrified tile depends on your specific needs, whether it’s durability, design, cost, or a combination of these factors. Each type of vitrified tile has its strengths and weaknesses, and understanding these will help you make the right decision for your space. Whether you prioritize longevity, budget, or aesthetic appeal, there’s a vitrified tile that perfectly fits your needs.
