How we supply it: Vitrified tiles are arranged through a partner tile dealer who quotes, supplies and bills them and pays us a referral commission. We have the boxes delivered after plastering and plumbing are finished, and if your floor needs a screed first, the M-Sand comes from us a week ahead.
In one line: A vitrified tile is a pressed ceramic tile fired at high temperature until its body is dense and glass-like, with water absorption of 0.5% or less (group BIa in IS 15622).
Vitrified or ceramic?
| Point | Vitrified | Ceramic |
|---|---|---|
| Water absorption | 0.5% or less | About 3% to above 10% |
| Hardness and strength | Higher | Lower |
| Stain resistance | High | Depends on the glaze |
| Best place | Floors, including living areas | Walls, light-use floors |
| Fixing | Tile adhesive | Adhesive or mortar |
What vitrified means
A vitrified tile is a pressed ceramic tile fired at high temperature until its body is dense and glass-like, with water absorption of 0.5% or less (group BIa in IS 15622).
Low absorption is why it resists stains and wear. It is also why plain sand-cement mortar struggles to grip it.
Vitrified tile types
| Type | What it is | How it wears | Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Soluble salt | Design soaked into the polished surface | Design fades as polish wears | Budget floors |
| Double charge | Thick two-layer pigment face | Design lasts through wear | High-traffic floors |
| Full body | Colour through the whole tile | Chips hardly show | Heavy traffic, outdoors in matt |
| GVT and PGVT | Glazed, digitally printed; PGVT polished | Glaze can scratch | Homes; widest design range |
Boxes per room
Typical estimate: ; box contents vary by maker, so use the area printed on the box.
Example: a 12 × 14 ft room (168 sq ft) in 600 × 600 mm with 7% wastage needs about 12 boxes, plus skirting.
- 600 × 600 mm, 4 per box: 1.44 m² (15.5 sq ft)
- 800 × 800 mm, 3 per box: 1.92 m² (20.7 sq ft)
- 600 × 1200 mm, 2 per box: 1.44 m² (15.5 sq ft)
- Wastage: 5% straight lay, 8–10% diagonal or with many cuts
Checks when tiles arrive
- Every box for one area should carry the same shade code, lot number and size (calibre) code.
- Open boxes from different pallets and lay tiles side by side in daylight to compare shade.
- Place two tiles face to face: they should sit flat without rocking.
- Check edges and corners for chips and the face for pinholes and scratches.
- Count boxes and broken pieces before signing.
Storing tiles until laying
- Stack boxes on a dry, level floor no higher than the stack height printed on the box.
- Keep each lot together and label it by room.
- Keep one or two spare boxes from the same lot for future repairs.
Tiling mistakes with vitrified floors
- Mixing lots in one room.
- Laying large tiles on mortar without adhesive, leading to hollow spots.
- No movement gap at the walls, so tiles lift and tent in hot weather.
- Polished tiles on bathroom floors and outdoor steps, slippery when wet.
- Tiling before electrical and plumbing chasing is finished.