Ceramic Tiles vs Vitrified Tiles: A Comparision
| Parameters | Ceramic tiles | Vitrified Tiles |
| Composition | Ceramic tiles are made with a combination of clay and water. | Vitrified tiles are made with a combination of silica and clay where the ratio is 60:40. They may also include other materials including quartz, silica, and feldspar. |
| Manufacturing Process | The mixture of clay and water is pulverised to make a fine substance which is then shaped and fired at high temperatures in a kiln. Ceramic tiles are easily moldable and thus can be shaped into various interesting, different, and unique shapes. | The combination of various materials is heated at a high temperature. The composition of the tile provides them with a glassy appearance. |
| Strength | Ceramic tiles are less strong as compared to vitrified tiles. | Vitrified tiles are stronger as compared to ceramic tiles. The additional vitrification process and composition of materials make them stronger. |
| Durability | Ceramic tiles are comparatively less durable than vitrified tiles. | Vitrified tiles are more durable than ceramic tiles due to their additional strength. |
| Scratch Resistance | Ceramic tiles have good resistance against scratches, but they are weaker as compared to vitrified tiles. | Vitrified tiles resist scratches because of their tough surface and strong composition. |
| Stain Resistance | Compared to vitrified tiles, ceramic tiles offer low resistance to stains. If staining material is not cleaned quickly, it may stain the tile permanently. | Vitrified tiles are highly non-porous and are thus way more resistant towards stains than regular ceramic tiles. |
| Anti-Slip Properties | Ceramic tiles are generally available with coarse textures and surfaces, which makes them less slippery. | Vitrified tiles have a smooth and glossy surface which can become quite slippery in moist conditions. |
| Texture | Ceramic tiles are generally available in coarse and textured styles. | Vitrified tiles have a glossy texture with a glass-like sheen. |
| Finish | Ceramic tiles generally come with a matte finish. | Vitrified tiles have a glossy finish. |
| Glazing | Ceramic tiles require an additional glaze on the top to make them stronger and prettier. The glaze adds an extra layer of protection and sheen to the tiles. | Vitrified tiles can work well without a glaze. |
| Colours and Sizes | Ceramic tiles are available in different shapes, sizes, colours, and designs. | Vitrified tiles are available in different sizes, colours, shades, and designs. |
| Water Absorption | Ceramic tiles have a low rate of water absorption of around 3%. Ceramic tiles are known as mildly water absorbent. | Vitrified tiles have a very low rate of water absorption, which is lower than 0.5%. This makes them extremely less porous and less water-absorbent. |
| Installation | Installation of Ceramic Floor tile is easy. | Installation of vitrified floor tile is easy. |
| Care and Maintenance | Ceramic tiles have a high number of joints which makes them more difficult to maintain and clean as compared to vitrified tiles. If not cleaned quickly and properly, they may stain. | The glossy surface of vitrified tile makes them impervious to stains. They are easy to clean and maintain. They have very few joints which make cleaning easy and quick. |
| Repair and Replacement | Ceramic tiles can be repaired and replaced easily and quickly because of grout. It is possible to replace even a single tile. | Vitrified tiles may require professional help for repair and replacement. Replacing a single tile is difficult. |
| Price | Ceramic tiles are more affordable as compared to vitrified tiles. | Vitrified tiles are costlier than ceramic tiles. |
| Area of Use | Ceramic tiles are well-suited for indoor purposes as compared to outdoor ones as they are more porous. They are perfect for halls, bedrooms, and dining rooms. | Vitrified tiles are water-resistant and can be used indoors as well as outdoors. |
Both vitrified and ceramic tiles have their pros and cons. The customer must understand their requirements before choosing a tile for their space. This way, the customer will save a lot of money, effort, and time required for redoing tiles.
How Orientbell Tiles Help You
Ceramic tiles vs vitrified tiles is an age-old question that often confuses customers. If you have decided on the material and now want to check out designs for your space, head over to the orientbell Tiles website, where you will find a massive collection of different tiles. If you would like to see how a particular tile looks in your space, check TriaLook , a visualiser tool that allows customers to see tiles coming to life in their own space.
