Difference Between Ceramic and Vitrified Tiles

Tiles (Building Tiles) are thin slabs of brick earth, burnt in a kiln.

These are very thinner than bricks and have a high tendency to crack and twist in drying and burning than normal bricks and are more responsible for breakage.

Therefore, great care is needed in their manufacture. They should be dried in the shade, burnt, and cooled gradually in specially-made kilns.

  1. Ceramic Tiles  

Ceramic tiles are a mixture of clays and other natural materials, such as sand, quartz, and water.

They are mostly employed in houses, restaurants, offices, shops, and so on, as bathroom walls and kitchen floor surfaces

They are straightforward to fit, easy to clean, easy to maintain, and obtainable at affordable prices.

  2. Vitrified Tiles  

Vitrified tile is a ceramic tile having very lower porosity. It is an option for marble and granite flooring. Vitrified tiles are frequently employed outdoors due to their water and frost resistance.

There are four types of Vitrified tiles as follows:

a. Soluble salt

b. Double charge

c. Full Body

d. Glazed

  3. Difference Between Ceramic and Vitrified Tiles  

The difference between ceramic and vitrified tiles are as follows:

a. Composition

Ceramic tile is produced of earthen clay and water mix.

Whereas the word vitrified means to transform into a glass-like substance, in this process of vitrification 40% clay and 60% silica is provided.

Vitrified tiles are produced by a mixture of clay, silica, quartz, and feldspar which is a components minerals in the granite rock.

b. Look 

Ceramic tiles contain a natural and earthen look in comparison to the unnatural look of vitrified tiles.

Vitrified tiles have an unnatural look compared to the natural look of ceramic tiles.

c. Texture 

Ceramic tiles are comparatively unsmooth and external glazing is involved for the glass look.

Vitrified tiles are smooth and glossy. It will offer you an aesthetic look and it is straightforward to wash.

d. Glazing

Ceramic tiles are constantly glazed to be shielded.

Vitrified tiles must not be glazed. Shine can be provided with mansion polish.

e. Durability 

Ceramic tiles are less long-lasting than that vitrified tiles.

Vitrified tiles are more long-lasting than that ceramic tiles because of their glass-like surface.

f. Strength

Ceramic tiles are undersized more strongly than vitrified tiles. Ceramic tiles contain low flexural strength which is about 20 N/mm² and low breaking strength which is 200 N.

Vitrified tiles are more powerful than that ceramic tiles. Vitrified tiles contain a high flexural strength of 35 N/mm² and high breaking strength that is 700 N.

g. Water Absorption

Ceramic tiles are very permeable and hence soak water fastly so the usage of ceramic tiles in the outdoor region will generate the tiles to form cracks fastly.

Vitrified tiles are non-porous and hence the absorption of water is less, so it is most appropriate for a damp region.

h. Frost Resistance

Ceramic tiles contain low frost resistance hence these types of tiles soak water fastly.

Vitrified tiles contain high frost resistance because their water absorption is low as compared to ceramic tiles.

i. Resistance to Scratches

Ceramic tiles contain a low resistance to scratches, so the color of ceramic tiles does not stay the same entire surface over in period-of duration.

Vitrified tiles have more opposition to scratches so exact when tiles have scratched the color of the tiles will stay identical.

j. Staining Resistance

Ceramic tiles have a low opposition to stains for example when oil drops on the surface of the ceramic tiles, it is more challenging to clear the stain of the tile than that of vitrified tiles due to the texture on top.

Vitrified tiles have high opposition to stains due to non-porosity, glossy finish, and also effortless washing.

k. Slip Resistance

Ceramic tiles are not as slippery as that of vitrified tiles. Ceramic tiles can be used to control slipping either by providing an adhesive

Vitrified tiles are very slippery than that ceramic tiles. Vitrified tiles are very slippery when moist.

l. Color Resistance to UV light

In the case of ceramic tiles, direct exposure to sunlight will force to extract the color of the tiles repeatedly and the tiles may get disappear over a span of duration.

In the case of vitrified tiles, there is no effect of sunlight as the color will stay identical over a span of duration.

m. Cost

Ceramic tiles are more affordable compared to vitrified tiles.

Vitrified tiles are costly when compare to the cost of ceramic tiles.

n. Maintenance

The maintenance of ceramic tiles is not as easy as compared to vitrified tiles.

The maintenance of vitrified tile is comfortable because of its shining surface it is straightforward to clean.

o. Installation

Installation of ceramic tiles is hard as compared to vitrified tiles. Skilled labor is needed.

Installation of vitrified tiles is easy as compared to ceramic tiles. They do not need skilled manpower.

p. Size

Mostly, ceramic tiles are obtainable in more diminutive sizes than that vitrified tiles.

Mostly, Vitrified tiles are obtainable in the size of 2’ × 2’ and more.

This was for the Difference Between Ceramic and Vitrified Tiles.

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