Tiles are an essential part of living today, and it is impossible to find a home, where you can’t see various types of tiles used for beautification and functionality of the home. Are you planning to get such an upgrade to your home? Well, if you are planning to get tiles for your home too, then it might have crossed your mind which type of tiles is better fitted for your home? 

Are you still wondering about the difference between ceramic and vitrified tiles? Wondering which one is better, and which one you should bring in to your place? Well, this blog is written just for you so you can make the most useful and right tile choice for your home. 

What Are Ceramic Tiles?

Ceramic tiles are probably the most popular and the most traditional style of tiles, which are made of natural clay and water, given shape, and then fired to dry. These tiles can come in both glazed and unglazed finishes, and have been used for years; and are actually very affordable. The clay died, and fired at 1000 to 1200 degrees Celsius for hardening. 

What Are Vitrified Tiles?

Vitrified tiles, on the other hand, are not as old as the ceramic ones; they were discovered more recently, and are quite different. These tiles are created with clay, feldspar, silica, and quartz, and fired or vitrified at a much higher temperature, around 1400 degrees Celsius. 

The vitrification process creates a glass-like texture on the tiles, and makes it a hard, aesthetic, non-porous, and glossy tile, particularly ideal for your floor. 

Key Difference Between Ceramic And Vitrified Tiles

Apart from the name, there are many other differences between these two types of tiles that you need to know, so don’t waste time and get going. 

Strength And Durability

Even though both tiles are strong in nature, vitrified tiles, due to their manufacturing process, tend to be stronger and durable. Vitrified tiles can face higher foot traffic, more impact on the floor because of heavy furniture load and movement. Ceramic tiles can be good with low foot-traffic interior floors, but when it comes to heavy loads, they might break or get chipped. 

Materials And Water Absorption

As it has already been mentioned, you know, ceramic tiles are made of clay, they tend to be porous in nature and absorb water more. But Vitrified tiles are non-porous due to the vitrification process, and as a result, do not absorb water at all. The tiles are also made of materials like quartz, silica, feldspar along with the clay. 

Cost 

I know, you must be wondering now, what is the price difference? Because as much as you need very durable tiles, price is important; you have a budget to maintain, don’t you? Let’s have a look at the price differences now. Yes, you have guessed it right. Ceramic tiles are much affordable and low-cost, compared to the vitrified tiles.

Maintenance

I hope you can understand that each type of tiles has different ways of maintaining them. So, of course, these two tiles also have different requirements for maintenance. Ceramic tiles can be easy to clean, but need regular cleaning also, as they are porous in nature, they can get discoloured easily, or catch stains, which is not the case for vitrified tiles. Vitrified tiles are easy to clean, do not catch stains, and due to their non-porous nature, stay in their real form for a long. 

Aesthetics And Designs

If you want to explore the ceramic tiles option, you should know they give a warm, homely aesthetic with their soft and decorative designs. On the other hand, if you see, vitrified tiles have a premium and polished aesthetic that comes with their luxurious patterns, textures, and shades. 

Suitability And Installation

If you are looking for simple tiles for indoor walls and low-traffic flooring, then you can go for the ceramic tiles. They are also quite easy to install, and do not need very extensive skill sets. 

But if you want tiles for the floor of your balcony, kitchen, bathrooms, and even commercial spaces, then I would recommend you consider the vitrified tiles. Remember, you need to hire skilled and expert workers to install the tiles as these tiles are not very easy to install. 

FAQs

1. Which Tile Is Best, Vitrified Or Ceramic?

Comparing the two tiles, Vitrified tiles are better than the ceramic tiles as they are more durable, easier to maintain, and non-porous. 

2. Which Type Of Tiles Is Best For Flooring?

For flooring, vitrified tiles are best as the glass-like texture makes the tiles very durable. These tiles can sustain high foot traffic without getting broken or chipped. 

3. What Are The Disadvantages Of Vitrified Tiles? 

The vitrified tiles are a little expensive in nature, and they tend to get slippery when they get wet. These are some of the disadvantages with vitrified tiles. 

4. Which Tiles Last Longer? 

If you are looking for long-lasting tiles, then you will find the vitrified tiles a better choice for your home. 

5. Are Ceramic Tiles Good For Flooring?

No, ceramic tiles are generally not considered to be a good choice for flooring as they are porous and cannot handle high foot traffic. But they can be used for floor in areas that experience low traffic and a lesser load. 

Summing Up

Tiles are an essential part of interior decorations in a modern home, but choosing the right tiles is equally essential. Tiles can beautify your home and maximise the functionality of your home. If in the right tiles hunting process, you got stuck in identifying the difference between ceramic and vitrified tiles, then I must tell you, you are not the only one, and it can happen to almost anyone. 

So here, I have given all the differences between the two types of tiles explained to you so you can understand how in terms of durability, aesthetic appeal, material, and maintenance, the vitrified tiles are better than the ceramic ones, particularly for flooring. But if your priority is the cost, then you might gonna find ceramic ones more suitable.

Learn More: How to Make Ceramic Tile