Vitrified tiles are probably the last generation tiles as far as floor covering is concerned. Several technological factors : very high tonnage pressure, development of kilns which can operate at high temperature ( +12000 C.), fine polishing machines, calibrating
machines and squaring and champ herring machines, development of nano material technology to seal the residual water absorption, decorative printing technology etc. have lead for this tile development. Vitrified tiles have properties such that makes them suitable for any type of use : residential buildings commercial buildings, or for industrial use. These tiles can be fixed on floor as well on wall. They have the highest strength among all the material being used so far. These tiles are resistant to acid and alkali and other chemical attack, stains resistant and are frost proof. They are most durable and have high abrasion resistance. Vitrified tile are available in wide variety of texture and design, colors, to decorate any covering. To day these tiles are considered ultimate because of their best properties.
Superiority over natural materials:-
Vitrified tiles have far superior properties compared to marble or natural granite because being a manufactured product their quality is controlled whereas in naturally occurring marble and granite good quality is just a coincidence. Vitrified tiles posses much better mechanical strength (MOR), scratch resistance, resistance to acids, alkalies and chemicals, resistance to staining etc compared to marble or natural granite. Marble is a very soft material and hence its abrasion resistance is approximately 3 whereas vitrified tiles have an abrasive resistance of 6-7 on MOH scale. Marble is calcium carbonate which is strongly attached by Hydrochloric acid which is commonly used in toilet & floor cleaning.
Vitrified tiles are much harder than natural stones, which makes them best suited for high traffic areas where abrasion resistance is required. Since these tiles are produced under strict quality and sorting norms therefore the shade variation is far less as compared to the variation in natural stone. Vitrified tiles are ready to install i.e. they are either unpolished and ready to use or are pre-polished and ready for installation, which is unlike marble that needs messy polishing on-site.
Difference between Vitrified and Ceramic tiles:-
Vitrified tiles are homogeneous bodies of clay, which have been fired at high temperatures to ensure a low water absorption as compared to ceramic tiles which are more porous in nature. The ceramic tiles essentially consist of two main parts viz. the 'body' (clay) and the 'glaze' (special color pigments mixed with clay etc.) Vitrified tiles have a very high dimensional accuracy. Ceramic tiles have an inherent nature due to which variation in length & width (+/- 5% internationally acceptable limit) generally occurs. This is off-set by using the 'grouting' technique, wherein a gap of about 5 mm is left between the tiles to cover up such dimensional inaccuracies that may occur in the lot. Vitrified tiles being harder are more abrasion resistant than ceramic tiles and therefore ideally suited for flooring. The formats (sizes) possible in vitrified tiles are larger than ceramic tiles, which again makes them ideal for flooring purpose.
