Advantages And Disadvantages of Vitrified Tiles |Difference Between Ceramic and Vitrified Floor Tiles
Advantages And Disadvantages of Vitrified Tiles | Types of Vitrified Floor Tiles |Double Charge Vitrified Tiles | Ceramic Tiles Vs Vitrified Tiles
What is Vitrified Floor Tiles?
Vitrified flooring is a type of ceramic tile that has been heated to produce a high-clarity, glass-like material. Vitrified tiles are made from natural clay or shale and then fired in an oven at temperatures up to 2200 degrees Fahrenheit.
Vitrified tiles are created from a blend of clay and materials like as silica, quart, and feldspar.
Although the term vitrified refers to transform into a glass-like substance, this process of vitrification includes 40% clay and 60% silica.
The process burns out organic materials, leaving behind a hard product that resists stains and scratches. They have the same durability as porcelain or marble but come with less maintenance costs because they can be cleaned more easily than those types of surfaces.
Vitrified tiles are available in different colors and textures including brick, herringbone, slate, wood plank style finishes and many others for you to choose from based on your specific needs!
Vitrified floor is a type of surface that is made from stones which are heated to a high temperature and then hardened.
The result is an extremely durable, natural looking surface that can be used for exterior applications such as patios, driveways and walkways.
Vitrified floors have many benefits including being frost-resistant, non-slippery when wet and resistant to abrasion. They are also easy to maintain with periodic power washing or pressure washing.
How are Vitrified Floor Tile Made?
The vitreous surface of vitrified tile is created by hydraulically pressing a mixture of clay, quartz, feldspar, and silica. As a result, they form a single mass that is rigid and porous. At varying temperatures, different clay elements reach vitrification.
Vitrified tiles are made from a blend of clay and minerals such as silica, quartz, and feldspar. Because of the inclusion of such elements, the mixture melts when heated to a very high temperature, forming a glass substrate throughout the tile.
These are non-porous tiles with a glassy texture. Before setting fire to the clay, a dye is put with it to create vitrified tiles.
This dye ensures that the color is uniform across the tiles. As a result, if the tile’s surface chips, a similar hue appears beneath.
Difference Between Ceramic and Vitrified Floor Tiles/Ceramic Tiles Vs Vitrified Tiles
Significant differences between ceramic tiles and vitrified tiles: As previously stated, the composition varies. Ceramics are manufactured from earthy clay, whereas vitrified tiles are made from a silica and clay mixture.
Vitrified tiles are manufactured from a mixture of clay and materials like as silica, quart, and feldspar, whereas ceramic tiles are just made from clay.
Ceramic tiles have a coarser texture than vitrified tiles, which have a shiny appearance. Ceramic tiles, on the other hand, offer a more natural and natural appearance than vitrified tiles, whose glassy surface provides an artificial impression.
The vitrification technique makes vitrified tiles stronger than ceramic tiles. Because they are made up of a variety of elements, including silica, quartz, and feldspar, as well as clay, baking at high temperatures fuses them together, making them more durable and resistant.
When compared to ceramic tiles, vitrified tiles absorb relatively less water due to their low porosity. As a result, vitrified tiles are an excellent choice for flooring.
Vitrified tiles are more resistant to scratches and stains than ceramic tiles. Ceramic tiles are less difficult to install when compared with Vitrified tiles
Finally, because of the many advantages of vitrified tiles, they are more expensive than ceramic tiles. Prices for ceramic tiles vary greatly based on custom work and size. They typically cost between $7 and $22 per square foot. Because of their superior properties, vitrified tiles cost a few dollars more per square foot.
Types of Vitrified Floor Tiles
1. Double Charge Vitrified Tiles
What is double charged vitrified tiles?
Double vitrified tiles are manufactured by infusing two layers of tiles together, which makes them thicker than most standard tiles.
Double charge vitrified tiles are fed into a press that prints the design with a double layer of pigment that is 3 to 4 mm thicker than other varieties of tile.
This procedure does not allow for elaborate patterns, but it produces a hard-wearing tile surface suited for high-traffic commercial projects.
The design layer should not be thicker than 4mm, as this may reduce the tile’s strength. They are sure to give you the sturdiness that you expect from tiles.
These tiles are mainly available in 600mm x 600mm, 800mm x 800mm, 600mm x 1200mm, 800mm x 1200mm and 1000x1000mm sizes.
There are several advantageous features of double charged vitrified tiles that make them a popular choice, particularly for outdoor and busy areas.
The Double Charge Vitrified Tiles provide a superior marble appearance and finish. It comes in a variety of sizes and colors.
Because of the numerous benefits including as strength, stain resistance, and scratch resistance, this may be the finest choice for your home.
After all, vitrified tiles are known for their strength and durability due to the special process that is used to manufacture them.
Benefits of Double Charge Vitrified Tiles
- Stain, Wear, and Scratches Resistance.
- Smooth finish with nano-coating.
- It is Easy to Clean and Maintain.
- Strong, Durable, and long-lasting tiles.
- Low water absorption.
Uses & Applications areas of Double Charge Vitrified Tiles
Because double charge vitrified tiles have a thick layer on top, they are perfect for high traffic and commercial sectors such as malls, airports, and public venues. They are used in;
- Commercial Space
- Residential Space
- Bathroom Space
- Flooring
- Kitchen and outdoor area
- Elevation and Terrace Space
2. Soluble salt vitrified tiles
Soluble salt vitrified tiles are screen printed and polished.
3. Full body vitrified tiles
Full body vitrified tiles exhibit pigment across the tile’s full body (thickness). This reduces the visibility of chips and scratches, making it an excellent choice for high-traffic areas, but the procedure dramatically raises the cost.
4. Glazed vitrified tiles (GVT)
The surface of glazed vitrified tiles (GVT) is glazed. They provide a wide range of design, art work, and surface textures such as wood grain, bamboo, slate, and stone.
This is likewise an expensive process, however as digital printing processes are introduced, the cost is decreasing.
These glazed vitrified tiles (GVT) have the following advantages;
Durable
Glazed vitrified tiles, like other types of vitrified tiles, have a long lifespan. Their strength is undeniable.
The only disadvantage is that the print on the tile is not very thick (1-2mm), thus it may tear or wear if care is not taken, especially in high traffic areas.
Attractive
Without a question, glazed vitrified tiles are the best addition you can make to up your interior decor game.
They are available in a variety of attractive designs that allow you to give your home a creative touch and can even allow you to acquire a tile with printed photographs of your family or almost anything.
Affordable
Tile prices are typically determined by their longevity, ease of care, and excellent design.
According to this, glazed vitrified tiles are unquestionably more expensive. They are not cheap, but they are not very expensive either.
Advantages And Disadvantages of Vitrified Tiles
Vitrified tiles have many benefits over other floors including ceramic as they are more resistant against stains and water damage than its alternatives.
Advantages of Vitrified Tiles:
1. Vitrified Tiles Very Durable
Durability of vitrified tiles is one of the most important aspects to consider. The tiles can stay in place (with no sign of deterioration) for as long as a building last.
When compared with ceramic tiles, vitrified tiles are more durable, because as they are classified as a class one material, they have a high resistance to the sun’s rays and dust.
Vitrified tiles also have superior sound absorption properties, reducing noise made by traffic or footsteps.
While most ceramic tiles used in construction are too smooth to absorb sound effectively, ceramics with fractal designs do show better results.
2. Vitrified Tiles Resist Stain and Tarnish
Vitrified tiles absorb dirt very easily and highly resistant to stain and tarnish. Wearing and shedding surfaces are prevented by the vitrification process. No stain or tarnish can attach to the tiles after application.
3. Vitrified Tiles Can Be Used in Different Environments
Vitrified tiles have no crucial moisture content allowing them to be used in any environment. Whether your area has low or high humidity, they can still work well.
They are also not susceptible to frost damage because they release low heat during the curing process
4. Vitrified Tiles Are Safe to Install
Vitrified tiles have very little risk of fire damage, which makes them safer and more efficient for use. They are not likely to burn or catch fire if exposed to flames or chemicals.
Vitrified tiles are also resistant to heat and corrosion, so in the event of a fire, they will not melt. These high temperatures in the thermal shock would also cause the release of toxic fumes.
It is therefore their safety that makes vitrified tiles such a popular choice for building materials.
5. Vitrified Tiles Are Scratch-Resistant.
Vitrified tiles have a smooth surface that makes them difficult to scratch. This is one of the reasons why vitrified tiles last longer than ceramic tiles, which are known to be easily scratched and marred.
6. Vitrified Tiles Have Consistent Sizes, Shades, As Well As Thickness.
Vitrified tiles are produced in most common sizes and thinness. They also have consistent shades, so you can be sure that your project is going to look consistent with the samples.
Ceramic tiles are usually produced in different colors, with no consistency. These differences make them harder to market and sell as a set.
Vitrified panels do not have any of these inconsistencies making them easier to use and market.
7. They Are Easy to Clean
Vitrified Tile’s surface is non-porous. It is, therefore, easier to clean and maintain. Although vitrified tiles have a smooth surface and finish, the surface is not waxy or slippery.
You can easily wipe vitrified tiles clean without any damage to the surface. Worrying about stains and dust is a thing of the past for vitrified tile installations.
8. The Sunlight Does Not Adversely Affect Their Color or Cause Them to Fade
Vitrified tiles are unaffected by sunlight; therefore, they will maintain their original colors over time.
9. Vitrified Tiles Have a High Resistance to Fire
Vitrified tiles are fire-resistant and are resistant to high temperatures and radiation. High temperature flares can also be prevented from setting off the process of vitrification.
10. Vitrified Tiles Last a Long Time
Vitrification is a thermosetting process that involves heat and pressure. Long curing cycles at high temperatures are needed for its application.
Vitrified tiles have an extremely long lifespan, so they are not easily affected by environmental changes (wind, rain, temperature and humidity).
Disadvantages of Vitrified Tiles:
1. Vitrified Tiles Are More Expensive
Price is one of the most distinct disadvantages of vitrified tiles compared to other materials. However, their outstanding benefits and features make them worth the extra money spent on them.
2. Vitrified Tiles Are Heavier Due to Their Thickness
The average thickness of 3/8″ to 1/2″ (10-12 mm) makes vitrified tiles heavier than other alternatives. You will need to adjust your structures properly for a proper installation.
3.An Expert or A Professional Is Needed for Its Installation
Vitrified tiles are more difficult to install than other alternatives; therefore, you will need to hire an expert for the job.
Vitrified tiles are hard, therefore; they tend to break when not handled properly. However, their high resistance makes them more durable than other materials used in construction.
4. Vitrified Tiles Are Slippery When Wet.
Vitrified tiles are more slippery than other materials. If it happens that you hit one when working with them, there is a high risk of slipping and falling, thereby causing injury to yourself.
5. Vitrified Tile Installations Require Quality Adhesive for Stability.
Vitrified tiles are very slippery and may fall off the surface during installation. Therefore, you need to apply quality adhesives with great precision; otherwise, your project will not be complete.
6. Vitrified Tiles Are Not Environment Friendly
Vitrified tiles contain cement. They are not environment-friendly as they emit carbon dioxide, which is harmful to the environment and human health.
7. Vitrified Tiles Are Heavy
Due to their density, vitrified tiles can be very heavy; thus, they may not be suitable for people who are physically disabled and cannot carry them with ease.
