Flooring is an integral aspect of a home. Choosing the right flooring creates a functional and aesthetically pleasing space while enhancing the property value. Among the various flooring materials, ceramic and vitrified tiles are widely popular. To make the right selection out of these two options, it is essential to understand their properties and benefits.
What are ceramic tiles?
Ceramic tiles are made from natural clay and water and baked in a kiln at a high temperature. This manufacturing process gives the tile a porous texture. However, the spaces between the tiles, called grout, are filled with a separate mixture of water, sand and cement-like material. The tiles are available in various designs, colours and patterns. Ceramic tiles are known for their durability, ease of maintenance and moisture resistance. They are commonly used in bathrooms, kitchens and other areas of the house.
What are vitrified tiles?
Vitrified tiles are similar to ceramic tiles but contain additional components, such as silica and quartz. They undergo a vitrification process, which makes the material highly durable and less porous than ceramic tiles. Vitrified tiles are manufactured from a mixture of clay, silica, quartz and feldspar, which are finely grounded together to form a homogeneous mixture. The mixture is pressed under high pressure into the required shape and fired at an extremely high temperature of above 1200°C. The high-temperature firing process causes the particles within the tile to fuse, creating a dense, non-porous material with low water absorption.
Ceramic vs vitrified tiles: Advantages
| Ceramic tiles | Vitrified tiles |
| Numerous designs, including colours, patterns and textures. | Numerous designs, sizes and finishes similar to marble, granite and wood. |
| Lightweight and easy to install, reducing labour costs. | Higher resistance to water absorption and staining. |
| Affordable, making them an ideal choice for residential and commercial projects. | High durability and versatile designs. |
| Ideal for moderate foot traffic areas, such as kitchens, bathrooms and living rooms. | Low porosity and highly resistant to water absorption, making them ideal for high-traffic areas. |
| Glazed ceramic tiles have a protective layer, which makes them resistant to water, stains and scratches, requiring minimal maintenance. | Vitrified tiles undergo a high-temperature firing process, which makes them extremely durable and resistant to scratches, wear and stains. |
Ceramic vs vitrified tiles: Disadvantages
| Ceramic tiles | Vitrified tiles |
| Durable but not as resilient as vitrified tiles, therefore, unsuitable for heavy foot traffic areas. | Highly durable but expensive in terms of material cost and installation. |
| Unglazed ceramic tiles have a higher porosity level, making them prone to water absorption and staining. | Heavier and denser than ceramic tiles, requiring professional installation support, leading to higher labour costs. |
| Unsuitable for outdoor use. | Vitrified tiles with a glossy finish produce glare or visual discomfort in certain lighting conditions. |
| The installation needs grout lines between each tile, accumulating dirt and grime over time. | These tiles are denser and heavier, making handling and installation challenging. |
| Do not offer customisation and realism. | Limited availability, especially in certain regions and markets. |
Ceramic vs vitrified tiles: Which is better?
| Parameter | Ceramic tiles | Vitrified tiles |
| Composition | Earthen clay and water | Silica, quartz and feldspar |
| Durability | Less durable than vitrified tiles | Stronger and more durable than ceramic tiles |
| Cost | Affordable | Expensive |
| Appearance | Appears rough but can be glossy in case a glaze paper is applied | Appears glossy with a smooth finish |
| Stain resistance | Less resistant | More resistant |
| Water absorption | More porous and water-absorbent | Less water-absorbent |
| Colour | Available in a wide range of colours | Widely available in wood, marble and granite finishes |
| Texture | Slightly rough texture, offering slip resistance | Smooth and glossy texture |
| Size | Available in medium sizes, which increases the number of joints | Seamless as tile joints are less visible and do not require regrouting |
| Installation | Easy to install over any surface | Requires professional installation due to the precision needed in cutting and laying these tiles |
| Maintenance | Available in anti-skid type | More anti-skid than ceramic tiles |
| Repair and replacement | Easy to repair due to the grout lines | Re-fixing is difficult and requires professional tools and skilled labour |
| Wastage | Generate more wastage due to low breaking strength | Generate less wastage due to a high breaking strength |
| Glazing | Glazed for extra protection and design variety, making them stain-resistant, with numerous colours and designs. | A naturally glass-like, glossy finish, making it stain-resistant due to low porosity. |
It is essential to compare the two materials – ceramic and vitrified tiles – based on several factors, including budget, aesthetic preferences, intended use and maintenance requirements.
- Budget: Ceramic tiles can be the best choice for a tight budget since they are more affordable than vitrified tiles.
- Design versatility: Ceramic tiles are customisable as they come in numerous designs, colours and patterns. Vitrified tiles appear similar to natural materials, such as marble, wood and granite.
- Installation: Ceramic tiles are lighter and easier to handle, making installation cost-effective. Vitrified tiles are denser and heavier, therefore, they need professional and careful installation.
- Maintenance: Ceramic tiles are difficult to maintain compared to vitrified tiles as dirt and grime accumulate over grout, requiring thorough cleaning. Vitrified tiles are more resistant to wear and tear, scratches, moisture and dirt.
- Durability: Vitrified tiles offer more durability and are resistant to wear and tear, making them ideal for high-traffic areas and commercial spaces.
Housing.com News Viewpoint
Both ceramic and vitrified tiles have their advantages and disadvantages. If you are looking for the right flooring material, it is essential to analyse these materials based on budget, installation costs, durability and aesthetics.
FAQs
Ceramic tiles can be the best choice for a tight budget. However, vitrified tiles are more durable and resistant to wear.
Vitrified tiles are known to be suitable for health since they are fired at higher temperatures than ceramic tiles. This makes them more resistant to moisture, controlling the growth of bacteria, moulds and other microbes in the house.
Make sure to check the tile edges. If they are sharp and clean, the tiles are of good quality. Moreover, check the glaze quality. A good-quality tile will not show signs of scratches or damage.
Vitrified tiles are highly water- and stain-resistant, making them ideal for high-moisture areas, such as bathrooms and kitchens.
Compared to ceramic tiles, vitrified tiles are denser and heavier. Thus, they need professional installation, which can increase labour costs. Which tile is better for floors?
Which tile is the best for health?
How to check the quality of tiles?
Can we use vitrified tiles for a bathroom?
What are the disadvantages of vitrified tiles?
| Got any questions or point of view on our article? We would love to hear from you. Write to our Editor-in-Chief Jhumur Ghosh at jhumur.ghosh1@housing.com |
