- What is Glazed vitrified tiles ?
Porcelain tile is defined as an impervious tile with a water absorption of 0.5% or less as measured by the ASTM C373 test method- by TCNA
Vitrified tiles got its name from the word ‘vitrify’ referring to the process of making a glass or similar to a glass. Tiles that are made using the method of vitrification fall under this category.
The basic raw materials that constitute a Vitrified tile are silica and clay. This mixture is used to form a non-porous tile that has a glossy texture.
A high quality vitrified has lots of benefits over natural Marble & Granite and hence very popular now a days.
Tile has no VOCs, PVCs, formaldehyde or allergens, hence considered to be greener compared to other flooring options.
- What are the different types of vitrified tiles available?
The following types of vitrified tiles will help you decide a suitable option across a host of interior/exterior ideas:
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- Full body: tiles are pigmented across the entire tile thereby making them tough, performing well against scratches etc.
- Digital tiles: are designed by treating an extraordinary resolution digital printing over the regular vitrified tiles
- Glazed vitrified: are given an added varnish of glass and thus look really glossy
- Double charge: vitrified tiles are produced by a press that prints contours on the tiles. These are made with double layer of pigments, around 3-4mm denser than other tiles
- Polished vitrified: are vitrified tiles that are polished to obtain an even smoother surface
- Properties of Glazed vitrified tiles
- Durable – Higher mechanical strength
- Non-Porous
- Stain resistant
- Low thickness
- Scratch resistant
- Fire-resistant
- Special category- Slip resistant
- Advantages of Glazed vitrified tiles
- Last long, look as good as 1st day even after decades: Glazed vitrified tile are some of the longest-lasting flooring products on the market today. When properly installed they’ll look as good after decades they do today.
- Consistency: Being machine made products; vitrified tiles are consistent in sizes, shades, thickness unlike variable sizes and shades of natural material
- Variety of surface finishes: You can pick and choose surface finish as per applications, look and feel required. Vitrified tiles are available in Glossy, High Glossy, Softmatt, Hardmatt, Sugar finishes.
- All types of look : Vitrified tiles are available in all types of looks; Marble, Granite, Stone, Slate, Limestone, Wood, Metal, Fabric etc.
- Different designs and styles: Vitrified tiles are available in 1000 of designs in the market. With digital printing virtually any design can be printed.
- All colours : Vitrified tiles are available in all colours in market.
- Thickness : Vitrified tiles are half the thickness of natural marble, granite and other natural material.
- Quality : Vitrified tiles are man-made, so their quality can be guaranteed, tiles that do not meet standards are simply not packed and sold.
- Laying & Setting time: Vitrified tiles are easier to install and practically need no setting time or polishing after laying. Therefore, vitrified tiles can be used after 48 hours of laying.
- Hygiene: Vitrified tiles being moisture resistant, prevents growth of bacteria and fungi.
- Easy to maintain: Vitrified tiles are easy to clean, often only with warm water, eliminating the need for chemicals and cleaners needed to maintain other types of floors.
- All shapes & sizes: From Small to XL, vitrified tiles are available in many shapes and sizes. There are pros and cons to each such as 600×1200 being easy to lay, but larger tiles make the space look bigger and have less grout lines.
- Matching floor & wall: Glazed vitrified tiles can be used on floors and walls therefore you can use the same tile to make the space look cohesive. Continuing materials from the floor to the ceiling creates the illusion that the area is larger.
- They can be personalized: Vitrified tiles can be personalized with digital printing capabilities.
- Cost effective: Vitrified tiles are cheaper than many other flooring options.
- Ideal for homeowners with allergies: If you have concerns about allergies and asthma, vitrified tiles are a great solution. They don’t build up dust and dirt, support mould or mildew.
- Disadvantages of Glazed vitrified tile
- Installation: Vitrified tiles need to be installed by an expert tile layer, to ensure thin, even and neat joints between the lines. Most important is leveling all across the space. Some time special adhesives are used and hence cost of installation can be higher.
- Repair: Tiles with defect must be cut away along the grout lines and surround materials could be damaged in the process. Moreover, it is quite unlikely that same tile is available in the market after some years.
- Slippery: Vitrified tiles are slippery when wet.
- Grout Maintenance: Every year or two, the grout must be resealed or it will begin to look dirty.
- Applications of Glazed vitrified tiles
- Flooring:Flooring for living room, bedroom, dining room can be done up Vitrified Tiles as they are serve as a good option for such purposes. These kinds of places in the rooms usually have very heavy furniture and the tiles need to be extremely strong to withstand such pressure. And vitrified tiles offer just that. Not just this, since we keep moving very frequently in these areas, the flooring is bound to get dirty. In such a case, vitrified tiles used can be cleaned easily reducing time and effort both.
- Vitrified tiles can be used in the kitchen as well.
- Wall Coverings: Vitrified tiles are available in plenty of designs which give you the option of choosing wall coverings as per the theme of the room you’re using them in. You can give the room a look as per your plans and the durability and long-lasting attribute of vitrified tiles makes sure you don’t need to replace them anytime soon.
- Residentials & Commercials buildings: Vitrified tiles are suitable for all types of residential and commercial projects/buildings.
- Indoor & Outdoor: Glazed vitrified tiles are suitable for not only indoor applications but out door also, weather it is out door façade or out door flooring. Product is to be carefully selected depending on usage – traffic, load, COF requirements etc.
- Small & Huge spaces : Vitrified tiles can be suitable for small flats to large stand alone bungalows to high rise building to wide spread hotels and resorts
- Common myths about tiles
- While many people are highly involved with furniture, electrical gadgets, upholstery, décor etc. for their homes or offices; it is the tiles that don’t get as much attention while choosing the décor. Having said that, poor flooring stands out like a blot on a beautiful landscape. Isn’t it?
