Tile Water Absorption: Ceramic vs Vitrified Tiles Guide

Understanding Tile Water Absorption: Ceramic vs Vitrified

When it comes to picking tiles, most people are naturally interested in the colour, finish, size and pattern. However, there is a further specification which can have a profound effect on tile performance: tile water absorption.

Water absorption shows how much moisture a tile can absorb from its pores. It influences where a tile is suitable for use, and its performance in humid conditions, and its resistance to regular moisture exposure.

For this reason, it is particularly important to consider the water absorption of tiles when choosing floor­ing for bathrooms, kitchens, balconies, entrances and other spaces that are subject to damp.

But are ceramic and vitrified tiles very different in terms of water absorption? And does lower absorption means better tile?

Let's get into the science of this key tile specification.

What Is Tile Water Absorption?

Tile water absorption is numeric value representing how much water a tile has absorbed under a certain testing method within a certain period of time, which is calculated as percentage of its dry mass.

In very simple terms, think of the dry tile being submerged in water in a test tube in a laboratory. More open pores allow for more water to be absorbed through the tile, denser tiles absorb less.

Hence, the percentage of water absorption of tile gives information about the internal structure of the tile and its suitability for various applications.

Lower absorption tends to imply a denser, less porous body. Nevertheless, absorption should never be looked at in isolation. Other technical properties such as strength, surface profile, slip resistance, thickness, finish and end use also play a role in the selection of tiles.

Ceramic Tile Water Absorption: What Does It Mean?

Ceramic tiles are crushed from natural clay and other earthy minerals, then shaped and hardened by being fired at high temperatures.

Given the broad scope of the term ceramic tile, a ceramic tile may have various degrees of porosity and water absorption, based on the raw materials, production technology, and firing temperature.

Some are made specifically for walls, some are made for floors and some for both. This is the reason why a mere mention of ceramic in the product specification would not give you an idea regarding its performance.

In low-moisture areas of your home, certain ceramic tiles may be suitable too. Ceramic tiles can be used for wall applications, decorative surfaces and selected indoor areas both domestic and commercial.

The key is to look at the technical data sheet from the manufacturer and the recommended use, not to assume that all ceramic tiles have the same absorption rate.

Vitrified Tile Water Absorption: Why Is It Lower?

Vitrified tiles are the result of a very controlled process of firing that leads to the formation of a tile body having a dense and glassy surface.

Their dense nature inherently means low water absorption for the vitrified tile. Many types of vitrified tiles are designed to be classified in low absorption rates making them ideal for use in floor and heavy-duty interior use.

Porosity is the percentage of empty spaces or holes in the tile so if the tile shows less porosity then it is better. This feature adds to the moisture resistance of the material and that is why multiple vitrified products can be used in places where high moisture and low absorption is needed.

But "vitrified" is not one performance grade level. Various vitrified tiles have very different technical parameters. Always check the declared product properties and the relevant standards to before deciding.

Ceramic vs Vitrified Tiles: The Key Difference

The simplest way to grasp the difference is to observe the relationship between porosity, density and water absorption.

Ceramic tiles can have a relatively more porous body according to their category and manufacturing method. Vitrified tiles are usually denser and as such have much lesser water absorption.

The key point is that ceramic vs vitrified tiles should not be considered as a matter of “is ceramic good enough or better to go for vitrified.” The correct choice varies according to the application, performance requirements and product specifications.

Why Does Water Absorption Matter?

The water absorption value becomes especially relevant when tiles are served in moist conditions.

In wet or damp rooms such as bathrooms, kitchens, utility rooms, balconies, etc., selecting tiles according to their technical parameters can enable you to obtain a better solution for floors or walls.

For instance, when selecting tiles for wet areas, you should consider the full application requirements and not just the aesthetics. "

Low water absorption is desirable in many applications, and can be crucial in situations where moisture resistance is a key performance factor. But there is also a downside: a tile with low absorption will not solve all installation or maintenance issues.

The right substrate preparation, adhesive selection, grout selection, slope and installation quality are still crucial.

How Is Water Absorption Tested?

A tile water absorption test is conducted under regulated conditions in a tile laboratory in accordance with relevant tile standards.

One such international standard for ceramic tiles is the ISO 10545-3, which defines a procedure for the determination of water absorption and related attributes.

In brief, the test sample is dried, immersed in water under specified conditions and the water uptake as a mass increase due to absorbed water is evaluated.

The output is expressed as a percentage.

That's why the professional tile buyer needs to be analytical, and not rely on the marketing hype, but instead review the product technical specifications.

Does Lower Water Absorption Mean Better Tiles?

Not all the time.

Reduced absorption is a significant performance feature, but a tile needs to be assessed for use in a particular location and manner.

A decorative indoor wall application, for instance, may have different requirements than a busy commercial floor. In the same way, bathroom tiles, kitchen floors and outdoor tiles could need different mixes of technical features.

When comparing products, consider:

• Water absorption
• Breaking strength
• Surface finish
• Slip resistance
• Thickness
• Size and dimensional accuracy
• Shade and surface variation
• Intended application
• Relevant product standards

This method provides a more comprehensive knowledge of tile quality and tile performance.

Choosing the Right Tile for Your Space
Don’t just pick a tile because it looks premium, start with an application.

For living room and bedroom furniture, consider durability, finish, look and how much upkeep you want.

For moisture and slip-related concerns are more significant in kitchens and bathrooms.

For outside use, exposure to the elements, slip-resistance and suitability of the product should be considered thoroughly.

If you are looking for robust floor tiles, have a look on the whole technical information and don’t concentrate on only one aspect such as water absorption.

The best tile is not always the one with the lowest number. It is the tile with the right specification for the environment it is to be laid in.

Conclusion

Knowing tile water absorption will help you to select a tile type that is suitable for your application.

Product Availability Application Ceramic tiles can be used for a variety of purposes whereas vitrified tiles are denser and have lesser water absorption. Nonetheless, the performance of a tile is always dependent on its individual classification, the manufacturing method and the stated technical datasheet.

So, whether you are browsing for your next tile or just curious, look beyond colour and pattern. Review the details, learn about the application, and select a product designed to perform in the environment.

Because beautiful floors are only the beginning. The right tile is one that balances design and the level of performance your actual space needs.