While planning for home renovation, flooring needs much-deserved attention as it is the design anchor of your entire home. Therefore, it must adhere to aesthetic value and durability for a long-lasting look. Provided with a plethora of options in the market, most homeowners get confused and make the wrong choice. We bring you this guide that breaks down the difference between ceramic and vitrified tiles and how these two floorings pit against each other.
Properties
Vitrified tiles are made of clay and a mixture of other minerals & solvents. Baked at high temperatures, a glossy substrate develops on the surface, providing a smooth and glossy texture to the tile. So, what are Ceramic tiles? They are made of clay and water baked at high temperatures in a kiln. The glaze formed during the process gives an unmatchable shine. They are also available in a variety of colours and patterns, each having a touch of earthiness.
Finish and Areas of Use
Generally, the glazed ceramic tiles are used on walls, countertops and backsplashes alike. Reason: The durability and variety of colours they are available in, enriches the colour palette in a monotonous kitchen or bathroom setup. Patterned ceramic tiles laid into the floor with solid-coloured tiles create a lovely decorative base for your home interiors.Availability in large sizes makes vitrified tiles a perfect fit for floorings. Also, these can be placed in a close-knit manner across the floor and are generally very durable. In terms of looks, they easily match up with their superior counterparts (marble and granite), making them a noticeably affordable flooring option.
Costs and Installation
Ceramic and vitrified tiles are both cost-effective. Moreover, both are cheaper than expensive ones like granite and marble without cutting corners on functionality. Ceramic tiles are easily installable as well as replaceable. The only drawback is that the joints can be spaced quite far apart and this makes room for grout and grime to settle in the gaps. Vitrified tiles need around 48 hours of setting time before they are ready for use. Pay attention to the fact that joints of vitrified tiles are harder than those of ceramic, making the removal of the former difficult.
Durability and Maintenance
Easy-to-maintain, Ceramic tiles are perfect for high-footfall areas like kitchens and bathrooms. While soap and warm water keep removing most of the dirt and grime, the glaze protects them from scratches and stains.Vitrified tiles are best suited for commercial and residential areas, owing to their high durability and inexpensiveness. These are almost non-porous, which means you need not worry about stains and waterlogging. They also hold their colour well over time.
So, which is better: vitrified or ceramic tiles?
You don’t have to pick one over the other; use a combination of the two types. Vitrified tiles work well for flooring; however, for a little more character and colour and to balance out the slightly industrial, man-made look of vitrified tiles, use ceramic.