Vitrified Tiles Vs Granite: Which Flooring Is Right for Your Home?

Vitrified floor tiles vs. Granite? Know the ideal material for your home

Building your dream home comes with a multitude of material choices for your interior spaces. Choosing the right flooring for your home can significantly impact its style and value. To make an informed decision, it’s crucial to compare available options. For instance, when homeowners are torn between vitrified tiles and granite, assessing factors like cost, durability, and style is helpful.

If you have decided to revamp your flooring and are confused between various options, this blog can help. We are here to provide insights on two top popular contenders: vitrified tiles and granite.

What are Vitrified Floor Tiles? 

Factory-manufactured vitrified tile designs are composed of clay, quartz, feldspar, and silica. These stunning styles are available in a wide array of patterns and colours. With remarkable attributes, vitrified floor tiles are often a popular choice among homeowners because of their unique advantages: 

• High mechanical strength, resistant to chipping and scratching.
• UV-resistant, preventing colour fading in direct sunlight.
• Exceptional durability, with a long lifespan.
• Easy installation and no need for polishing.
• Can be placed over existing floors for convenient home modifications.
• Simple maintenance and cleaning.
• Versatile in sizes, designs, and colours to suit various home decor styles.
• Non-porous and frost- and water-resistant, suitable for outdoor use.

Though these tiles are commonly used for outdoor spaces in homes, using glazed vitrified tiles within the house is also a great idea. 

Granite Flooring Vs Vitrified Tiles: Overview

Granite, a natural stone extracted from a dense igneous rock, consists of minerals like quartz, feldspar, and mica. Its unique composition results in a wide spectrum of natural colours, including black, green, grey, red, white, and various streaks or specks.

If you like to display a touch of opulence, granite floors might work in your favour for several reasons:

• Granite can be polished to a mirror-like finish, suitable for flooring, walls, and countertops.
• It can be flamed to provide a uniform rough texture and non-slip characteristics, ideal for outdoor and wet bathroom spaces.
• Each granite slab is distinct due to its natural origin.
• It is completely impermeable to water, heat-resistant, and scratch-resistant.
• Granite is low-maintenance and highly durable, eliminating the need for replacement.
• Cleaning it is a breeze.
• A variety of striking colours are available, allowing you to make a unique style statement.

Due to their artificial construction, vitrified tiles offer a uniform appearance in both pattern and colour. In contrast, granite, a natural stone, exhibits distinct variations in colour and pattern. While vitrified tiles are naturally water-resistant, granite may need an extra layer of sealant for waterproofing. However, granite is favoured for its vibrant colours and natural pigmented finish.

Vitrified Tiles vs. Granite: Price 

It is almost impossible to make an informed decision without understanding the price of the material. Since cost is a key factor to consider, let’s make a cost comparison:

Vitrified Tiles:

• Budget-friendly. Even anti-skid vitrified tiles, which are useful for bathrooms and kitchens, are quite affordable.
• They are produced in large quantities and come in a variety of sizes that can be tailored to your needs.
• Vitrified tiles typically start at around Rs 60 per square foot and can go upwards depending on the type and thickness of the tile.

Granite:

• Granite tends to be more expensive due to its natural origin.
• Installation costs can be higher because granite is heavy and often requires additional sub-flooring support.
• For high-quality granite, the cost can go beyond Rs 100 per square foot. Additionally, if you plan to include skirting, borders, grooves, or inlays, these will come at an extra cost.

These cost differences should be taken into account when making your flooring decision.

Granite Flooring vs. Vitrified Tiles – Pros and Cons 

When deciding between granite and vitrified tiles for your flooring, consider these points:

• Material Choice: If you prefer natural, organic materials and have an eco-friendly home, granite may be the better choice due to its natural origin. Vitrified tiles, on the other hand, are factory-made and contain some chemicals.
• Variety and Appearance: Welcome to the world of vitrified tiles: textures and designs abound! Even regular options in this style offer a wide range of finishes, patterns, and textures, including granite and marble look-alike finishes. However, keep in mind that vitrified tile patterns can repeat, whereas granite has unique, natural variations.
• Luxury vs. Natural Look: Granite is considered a more luxurious option, offering a premium and elegant appearance. Vitrified tiles provide a natural look that’s hard to beat.
• Budget Considerations: If you’re on a budget, vitrified tiles are generally the more economical choice.
• Time Constraints: If you have time constraints, vitrified tiles are often easier and faster to install.
• Safety: Both polished vitrified tiles and granite can become slippery when wet. To prevent accidents, opt for anti-skid vitrified tiles in areas prone to moisture, like bathrooms, balconies, terraces, and outdoor spaces.

By considering these factors, you can make an informed decision when debating between granite and vitrified tiles for your flooring.

FAQs On Vitrified Tiles Vs Granite

Which material is more durable, vitrified tiles or granite?
Contrary to popular belief, both vitrified tiles and granite are very durable. However, if you must choose one, vitrified tiles are less porous and have a better lifespan in indoor and outdoor spaces of a home.

Are vitrified tiles more affordable than granite?
Since granite is a natural material, it is more expensive than artificially manufactured vitrified tiles. These tiles are produced in bulk and readily available in the market, making them a budget-friendly option.

How do vitrified tiles and granite differ in terms of maintenance and cleaning?
Both materials are easy to clean and require very minimal maintenance.

Which material is more prone to chipping or cracking- vitrified tiles or granite?
Granite is one of the hardest and most durable flooring materials, making it significantly less prone to cracking or chipping than ceramic vitrified tiles.

Can vitrified tiles replicate the natural look of granite effectively?
Though vitrified tiles can beautifully imitate the look of a natural stone, finding an exact replica of the natural substance with uneven textures is not possible.