Ceramic tiles versus glazed tiles
Since the dawn of time, ceramic tiles have been the popular choice for countertops, walls, floors, and even ceilings in every home. Vitrified tiles, on the other hand, have the distinctive colored glass facade. The word “vitrify” literally refers to the phrase “to turn into glass or anything that looks like glass by undergoing some heat process. If you really want to know what happens to these two, you better check out the history of tape, tile ceramic versus vitrified tiles.
In terms of properties, vitrified ceramics and tiles are both products of man or man-made products, as it is popularly called. Pottery is created from clay. The clay body is topped with a ceramic glaze. On the other hand, vitrified tiles are made by fusing silica and clay. The mixture is then heated or laid at high temperatures, which would result in a non-porous tile with a glass-like texture. The vitrified type does not need additional glaze added.
Price-wise, ceramic is definitely cheaper. However, both come in a wide variety of prices, colors, patterns, and sizes. But ceramic is much cheaper and much more commonly used in the home compared to glazed ones. So when it comes to price, ceramic tiles are much more desirable than vitrified ones.
When it comes to durability, vitrified tiles are sure winners. These tiles are much stronger than natural granite, which is one of the most durable products for modern homes. Vitrified tiles outperform ceramic tiles when it comes to strength, ability to resist scratches, and ability to resist acids, alkalis, and chemicals without being damaged.
The composition of vitrified tiles is homogeneous in nature. Ceramic tiles just have a decorative glaze on top of their clay layer. To achieve a shiny appearance, the vitrified tiles are manually polished. However, ceramic tiles base their beauty on the durability of the glaze applied to them. However, most polishes are not as durable or scratch resistant and will yellow, crack and chip over time.
Both vitrified and ceramic tiles are difficult to stain due to their non-porous properties. However, the grout that lays them down intact is the one most likely to stain.
The maintenance of vitrified tiles and ceramic tiles do not go very far from each other. Both have almost similar ways of maintenance and cleaning. Both the vitrified and the ceramic do not need any special maintenance ritual after installation. Cleaning both types of tiles is also not that difficult. Both can be cleaned with a damp cloth. However, if the going gets tough, the tough gets tougher. In cases where your tiles are very greasy, you can use harsh cleaning chemicals such as detergents and bleach. These chemicals are safe to use on any type of glazed or ceramic tile. The non-porous surface of both tiles makes mold and mildew impossible. That is why it is perfect for swimming pools, bathrooms and kitchens.
