In the process of designing your home, the most crucial and necessary task is to look for the most suitable tile options to be installed. Be it ceramic floor tiles, or vitrified tiles, the decision needs to be made.
The only hurdle here in the process of picking out the most suitable tile options for your place is the wide range of tiles available in the market. Among all the available options, two most common options are ceramic tiles flooring and vitrified files.
But the question comes- which one is more suitable? The answer to this question totally depends on your needs and preferences. To help you have a clear understanding of both options, we will help you have a clear understanding of ceramic tiles vs vitrified tiles.
Let’s begin.
What are Ceramic Floor Tiles?
The most commonly used option is ceramic tiles. These are made of naturally occurring materials such as clay combined with water and several other ingredients, pressed in moulds, glazed and heated at extremely high temperatures. This process offers the ceramic tiles the shape and durability that makes them unique.
These ceramic tiles design are often used as ceramic tiles flooring options due to their water resistance, body strength and durability. However, these are not an ideal option for installing in a damp area as water absorptions are comparatively higher than vitrified tiles.
What are Vitrified Tiles?
As the name suggests the vitrified tiles are made using a process of vitrification. These are made using a combination of silica, clay and feldspar which adds to the strength of the tiles. Furthermore, the process of vitrification adds a glass like finish to the tiles and makes them sturdy as well.
Due to the vitrification process, these are highly resistant to water and hence are a much suitable option to be installed in indoor as well as outdoor areas. Additionally, these are best used in the damp bathroom areas or in the kitchen where there is constant exposure to water.
For a more detailed comparison of ceramic tiles vs vitrified tiles read further.
Ceramic vs Vitrified Tiles
Although both the tiles have their own pros and cons and can be used by the users depending on their own preferences and requirements. Here are a few major differences between the two for a clear understanding of both the tile categories.
| Parameter | Ceramic Tiles | Vitrified Tiles |
|---|---|---|
| Composition | Combination of clay and water. | Combination of clay and silica in a ratio of 40:60. Also includes quartz. |
| Manufacturing process | Pulverisation of clay and water, moulded in shape and heated at high temperature | Combination of materials heated at high temperature. Composition offers a glass like appearance. |
| Strength | Less strong as compared to vitrified tiles. | Strong as compared to ceramic tiles, due to the process of vitrification and material composition. |
| Durability | Less durable as compared to vitrified tiles. | Due to the vitrification process, it is high in durability. |
| Water resistance and Porosity | Mildly water absorbent with ~3% of water absorbent rate. Porous as compared to vitrified tiles. | 0.5% of water absorbent nature, highly water resistant and low on porosity. |
| Scratch & Stain Resistance | Good scratch resistance but weak as compared to vitrified tiles Low resistance to stains, if stains are not removed immediately, it might leave a mark. | Highly resistant to scratches and stains. The reason being their composition and non-porous surface. |
| Anti-Skid Properties | Skid resistance not available. | In glazed vitrified skid resistance property is available. |
| Finish Available | available in glossy and matt finish. | Available in high glossy, gloss and matt finish. |
| Texture | Available in limited texture styles. | Available in a variety of textures with a glass-like shine. |
| Glazing | Requires extra layer of glazing for better finish, decoration, strength and protection as well. | Available with or without glaze coating as well. Glazed mainly for decoration and finish. |
| Application | More suitable for indoor as compared to outdoor. Used in bedrooms, dining areas, and halls. | Due to the low porosity of water absorption, it can be used both in indoor and outdoor applications. |
Trends to Look For
Having established the difference of ceramic vs vitrified tiles. Let’s glance through some ceramic floor tiles that can be installed in your home.
From a brand like H&R Johnson you can get high quality and highly durable ceramic floor tiles to be installed in your home. These are available in different size formats to suit your different needs. Since we have already discussed these are usually available in matt finish, hence, they are a great addition for your bedroom or living room flooring as well.
Here are some designs for you to explore: Abber Grey, Jack Pine Wood, Ibitt Brown in a size range of 60x60 cm. In addition to this, you can also explore Apex Rust, Apex Silver, Debby Brown, Grey, White and others in a size range of 40x40 cm and 30x30 cm.
Concluding Thoughts
Different types of tiles are available in the market to be installed in your home. These can range from ceramic floor tiles to vitrified tiles that can be installed to uplift the decor of your place at once. These are functional as well as aesthetically pleasing options to be installed.
With a brand like H&R Johnson you get the best possible quality of tiles to be installed with highest durability and strength. For a clear understanding of tiles and available options you can also visit the experience centre established by the brand across the country at easily accessible locations.
Here you can experience the quality of the tiles first hand and experience the wide range of options as well. For more details you can also get in touch with the tile experts here at H&R Johnson and get the best options picked for your home.
FAQs
Yes, as per your preference you can use ceramic tiles in outdoor spaces. However, it is not recommended due to their low strength and low water resistance rate.
Yes, ceramic tiles are eco-friendly and can be installed in different sections of your home. These are made of a mixture of clay and silica which makes them a suitable option for adding in your home.
For choosing the right ceramic tile size and design for your space, you can measure the area where you wish to install the tiles and pick the designs that are most suitable for the place given your personal choices and preferences.