What Are Vitrified Tiles? Meaning, Types, Materials, and Benefits
Selecting the proper flooring can have a dramatic effect on how a room looks, feels and performs long term. But there are so many types of tiles on the market today that the distinction between ceramic, porcelain, glazed and vitrified tiles can help you to choose the right one.
Then, what is vitrified tiles?
Vitrified tiles are a type of tile made by mixing clay, silica, quartz, and feldspar which is then fired at high temperatures. These materials are transformed through a process called vitrification during the manufacture of the tiles to a dense, hard, glass like structure in the tile.
It results in a tile with low water absorption, high strength, dimension stability and excellent resistance to daily application - which is why vitrified tiles are widely used in residential and commercial projects.
Vitrified Tiles Meaning: What Does “Vitrified” Actually Mean?
The term vitrified is derived from “vitrification,” a process of manufacture that involves heating raw materials to very high temperatures until they partially melt and combine to form a dense, glass-like body.
In contrast to traditional tiles which could be of porous nature, in case of vitrified tiles the body is extremely dense. This reduces water absorption and enhances resistance to stains, scratches and general ageing.
That’s why vitrified floor tiles are best recommended for places that wants strong floors and are easy to maintain.
But vitrified tiles are not defined by just how they look. Their properties are influenced by the composition, quality of manufacture, thickness and finish (including any surface treatment), the intended use and other factors.
What Materials Are Used to Make Vitrified Tiles?
The quality of vitrified tiles depends on the raw materials. While the exact formulation varies from manufacturer to manufacturer, common ingredients include:
Clay: The base body of a tile, Clay is essential in shaping and forming the tile.
Silica: To a certain extent, silica is responsible for the dense, glassy texture that is created after firing.
Feldspar: A natural glass former that enables the materials to meld when heated.
Quartz: Hardness and dimensional stability are linked to quartz.
These substances are meticulously refined, and then pressed with hot and high pressure, dried, and fired at high temperature. The susceptible manufacturing technique produces the dense body associated with this type of tile.
The combination of material and production technology is also how vitrified tiles can provide such a good compromise between strength, durability, aesthetics and easy cleaning.
Types of Vitrified Tiles
There is a difference vitrified tiles and they are not at all alike. Various manufacturing and finishing processes result in distinct tile classifications that are ideal for various design needs.
-
Glazed Vitrified Tiles (GVT)
Glazed vitrified tiles are a type of tile that combine the vitrified tile body with a glaze on top. The glaze enables manufacturers to produce multiple colors, patterns, textures and visual effects.
Flexibility of design is why they are so handy.
Ideal for: living rooms, bedrooms, feature areas, walls and some floor applications - check individual product specifications.
-
Full Body Vitrified Tiles
Full body vitrified tiles have the color and material properties running through the entire body of the tile and not only on a surface design layer.
Thus, it can be considered a suitable choice for high-traffic area, for that depends on the performance features of the specific product.
Recommended for: commercial building, corridor, public place, and other high traffic areas.
-
Double Charge Vitrified Tiles
Double charge tiles are produced processing two layers of material, resulting in a thicker decorative layer on the surface when pressed.
They provide a good durability with decorative patterns and colours combinations option.
Ideal for: commercial areas and spaces where durability and appearance matter.
-
Polished Vitrified Tiles
The smooth and reflective surface of pack polished vitrified tile makes the space looks bright and gives a classy look.
They are often chosen for modern spaces that require a shiny look.
Ideal for: living and dining rooms, bedrooms, hotels and all interiors where visual appeal is of the essence.
Key Benefits of Vitrified Tiles
Vitrified tiles are popular for home interiors due to their beauty and performance.
Low Water Absorption
The compact nature of vitreous tiles means they tend to have a low rate of water absorption. This allows use for many interior floor areas and some wet areas, when the technical specifications of the product are taken into consideration.
High Durability
Professional manufacturing of vitrified tiles yields a tile body that is so hard and dense when the right specification is chosen that it is ideal to use for daily types of foot traffic.
Easy Maintenance
The easy cleaning on account of the their relatively non-porous surface. Daily dust mopping and damp mopping or wet cleaning as needed, can keep them looking good without any complex maintenance regimens.
Wide Range of Designs
Contemporary vitrified tiles come in a wide variety of colors, patterns, textures, sizes and finishes. This enables designers and homeowners to go from cool minimal spaces to warm modern environments.
Consistent Appearance
The production of vitrified tiles can have good dimensional uniformity. Rectified versions can also further assist clean, modern arrangements with tight, uniform grout joints, when adhered to.
Suitable for Different Spaces
Vitrified tiles can be applied to both residential and commercial areas such as living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, offices, retail, and hospitality spaces, depending on the technical specification and finish.
Vitrified Tiles vs Ceramic Tiles: What's the Difference?
Among the first questions you hear when picking out tiles is whether to go for vitrified or ceramic tiles.
Mainly, they vary in their ingredients, manufacturing procedure, density, water absorbency.
Vitrified tiles tend to have denser body and less water absorption, which make them especially suitable for flooring in high traffic areas.
Ceramic tiles can provide a good range of patterns and they are widely used on walls and some flooring.
At the end of the day, what is right for you will be determined by your space, the traffic you expect the floor to endure, the potential for moisture exposure, the finish you are after, installation considerations, and the technical properties of the individual product.
How to Choose the Right Vitrified Tiles?
Don't buy a tile for living room, kitchen, bedroom, or commercial flooring applications just because of its colour or pattern before you decide on vitrified tiles.
Consider:
- Application: Identify if the tile is for floor, wall, indoor use, or for use in commercial applications.
- Finish: Select from polished, matte, textured, or any other finishes offered to achieve the desired look and functionality.
- Size: Large-scale tiles can create a spacious visual effect, while smaller tile sizes can introduce rhythm and detail.
- Slip considerations: For wet areas, refer to the product's associated slip resistance test results.
- Durability: Anticipate how busy your location is and choose your technical specification accordingly.
- Installation: Long-term performance depends on proper substrate preparation, adhesive and grout selection, joint design and quality of installation.
The best tile is not always the most expensive or the thickest. It is the tile which specification fits the application.
Final Thoughts
Vitrified tile is the new age tile for flooring and walls which combines toughness, low water absorption, design configurations, and effortless cleaning.
From glazed vitrified tiles to full body options or polished and matt finishes, you can choose from a variety of availabilities to suit different needs for architecture and interiors.
So if you’re building a new home, remodeling a living room, or specifying flooring for a commercial project, a little knowledge about what vitrified tile means and the materials, types, and benefits of this tile can help you get started.
At Firedclay, the tile choice should start with the application, the specification, the finish, and the overall design intention - so the tile doesn't just look right, it performs right too.